How to Use an Electric Adding Machine
An electric adding machine is similar to a calculator with only feature: adding. Adding machines were originally rotary, a user pulled after each number in an equation was entered. Electric adding machines do not use cranks, but they are still vintage machines and work differently from calculators. For example, the buttons on an electric adding machine do not automatically un-press after you've depressed them. On a calculator, they do. This small difference makes an adding machine unfamiliar at first. But it shouldn't take a beginner more than five minutes to use the machine fluently.
Instructions
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1
Open the paper cover of your adding machine in order to set in a roll of paper. Look for a latch or tabs to press in to open the cover.
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2
Lay the roll of paper into the paper holder, which looks like a cylinder that the roll of paper covers over. Let out some paper from the roll. Thread the slip below the roller above the paper holder. Turn the knob sticking out from the roller to pull more paper through the roller and through the window of the cover. Close the cover.
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3
Type in the first number you wish to add to another number. The adding machine displays a keypad with seven columns; each column has ten keys numbered 0 through 9. The tens place begins with the first column on the left; the hundreds place with the second column to the left; and so on. There is no decimal point, so to type in, for example, $50.60, press the "5" key in the thousands column, which is the fourth from the left, the "0" in the hundreds column, the "6" in the tens column, and the "0" in the units column.
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Press the "Add" button. The keys you've depressed should rebound upward.
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5
Enter another number to add to the first.
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6
Press the "T" button, which stands for total. The adding machine should print the total on the paper roll and release the number you've most recently entered. Turn the paper knob to pull more paper out of the roll. Tear the paper off the roll by pulling it from the corner and against the sharp edge of the cover.
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Tips & Warnings
Take care to enter a number correctly. If you press the wrong number, you have to start the calculation over.
