[Sidenote: _First practical arithmetical recorder_]
While the last-described Felt patent was still pending, Felt improved
his mechanism for recording, installing new features and eliminating
the objectionable features referred to. These improvements were of
such a satisfactory nature that the Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co. made
twenty-five recording-adders, with the new features, which were sold to
various banks. The first of these machines was placed on trial with the
Merchants & Manufacturers National Bank of Pittsburgh, Pa., in December
of 1889.
Good evidence of the practical features of this machine was set forth
in a testimonial given at the time by W. A. Shaw, the cashier of the
bank, after it had been given a six months’ test. This testimonial is
extant and has been reproduced on opposite page.
[Sidenote: _The first sale of a recording-adding machine on record_]
Records show that the bank purchased that “Comptograph,” which was the
trade name given the Felt recording-adder, and used it until 1899, at
which time this machine, along with others of the same make purchased
at a later date, were replaced by the bank with “Comptographs” of more
modern type.
This Felt recording machine was without question the first practical
recording-adding machine ever sold that would produce legible printed
records of items and totals under the variable conditions that have to
be met in such a class of recording.
[Illustration: Testimonial]
[Illustration: Felt Recording and Listing Machine.
Purchased and Used for Ten Years by the Merchants & Manufacturers Bank
of Pittsburgh, Pa.