[HN Gopher] Multiply - a book about calculators I helped create
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       Multiply - a book about calculators I helped create
        
       Author : shlice
       Score  : 40 points
       Date   : 2024-01-12 20:58 UTC (2 days ago)
        
 (HTM) web link (benjamin.computer)
 (TXT) w3m dump (benjamin.computer)
        
       | samstave wrote:
       | I have a really odd device that is some sort of calculator/cheque
       | printer antique thing...
       | 
       | Lemme go take some pics - brb - you might like this:
       | 
       | https://imgur.com/a/FYh3Boi
       | 
       | I loved it because I love trains - and this reminds me of the
       | greatest trains ever made: https://i.imgur.com/O3FjH8T.jpg
       | 
       | The art decco steamers.
        
         | greenyoda wrote:
         | I found a Wikipedia article that mentions this very brand of
         | machine (Protectograph):
         | 
         | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checkwriter#Machine
         | 
         | > _A check writer, or ribbon writer, leaves a numerical or
         | written value impression in the payment amount field of a check
         | that is very difficult to alter. This is accomplished by the
         | machine applying downward force on the check and leaving very
         | small inked shreds in the paper._
         | 
         | > _The first check protector was introduced in 1870. The best
         | known check protectors in the early 1900s had the brand name
         | Protectograph (the Todd Company, Rochester, NY). Other well
         | known manufacturers in the industry were F & E Hedman and the
         | Paymaster Company (both out of Chicago, IL)._
         | 
         | > _The person preparing a check positions the check in the
         | check writer so its print-heads are centered over the field on
         | the check where the amount of the check would otherwise be
         | written out in words. Using a series of levers or buttons on
         | the checkwriter 's control panel, the operator enters the
         | monetary amount of the check. This amount is then printed onto
         | the check by the operator pulling a lever on the side of the
         | unit (or by pressing a button on electric units). This brings
         | the print-heads down upon a wide inked (usually multicolor)
         | ribbon through which they print the selected amount on the
         | check, with a prefix and suffix to prevent a fraudster from
         | adding extra digits. Entering $6,762.64, for example, will
         | produce text reading "TheSum6762dol's64cts"._
         | 
         | > _There is a series of (usually) horizontal indentations on a
         | pressure bar brought up underneath the check during this
         | process, which matches similar indentations on the print-heads.
         | This embosses the numeric amount through the paper of the check
         | form, strongly discouraging any attempt to alter or raise this
         | amount._
        
           | samstave wrote:
           | Wonderful!
           | 
           | I have no excuse for not looking it up prior... Ive had it a
           | few years - and I love the anti-counterfeit techniques built
           | into money design, specifically the intricate Guilloche
           | patterns.
           | 
           | Someone said they were a card carrying conspiracy theorist
           | once, and I was learning a new piece of software for making
           | bar codes, badges, labels for packaged goods...
           | 
           | So I thought "What would a 'Conspiracy Card' look like?"
           | 
           | SO I made these:
           | 
           | https://imgur.com/a/65wbd6a
        
           | fsckboy wrote:
           | oh yeah, I remember those. There was even one in my house
           | when I was a kid, my older brother liked "stamping" things
           | with it. Not sure where it came from. My father had a retail
           | business and a background in accounting [shrug] But it didn't
           | look that super specialized or expensive, it seemed like a
           | normal appliance from a stationery store that anybody might
           | own. [quick search] in fact, it was this one, the Paymaster
           | 8000 https://i.ytimg.com/vi/apGyKCgiMBs/hqdefault.jpg
        
         | _a_a_a_ wrote:
         | OMG - that train actually _existed_?? I had no idea. I 'd have
         | assumed it CGI or a prop. Amazing, thanks
        
         | buescher wrote:
         | The typography is oddly contemporary - I'd love to hear a good
         | take on why.
        
       | crimbles wrote:
       | This is really cool. Thanks for doing it. I will download and
       | read in detail.
       | 
       | Collector of HP calculators here. I have way too many (11 last
       | count!) :)
        
       | dtgriscom wrote:
       | I'll need to follow the link to know whether this is "a book
       | about (calculators I helped create)" or "(a book about
       | calculators) I helped create"
        
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       (page generated 2024-01-14 23:02 UTC)