Chain adding machine
Performs addition only, 7 chain model adds up to 9,999,999
Stylus inserts into chain at the digit required to be added and the chain is moved downwards to the edge of the frame.
The knob at bottom right is turns to clear the numbers back to zero.
Made by the Automatic Adding Machine Co., New York, U.S.A.
Carries patent dates from 1904 to 1907.
In good condition, some mild rust present, see photos for accurate details.
ATTENTION: NO STYLUS INCLUDED.
The Golden Gem was designed by Abraham Isaac Gancher, Nobyoshi H Kodama, and Albert T. Zabriskie in 1902-1906. Gancher set up the Automatic Adding Machine Company to market the machine. At first it was merely called "Gem", and it had a separate stand that it was slid into. Around 1910 a version was made that was set in a wooden box. In 1912 it was renamed the Golden Gem, and it was given foldable legs instead. After that, the changes seem relatively minor. There were other models as well, including larger versions with more digits, optionally with complementary digits shown next to the chains, and also versions with fractions or for feet and inches. The standard 7-digit version is by far the most common.
The Golden Gem was very successful, and from the serial numbers it seems more than 400,000 of them were produced. It is unclear when production ended, but so many were made that it seems likely to have continued through the 1930s and possibly into the 1940s. Note however that the advertising seems to have dried up in the mid 1920s after about 200,000 had been made.
This History section copied from another source.