Ohio History
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| Wooden Cash Register |
As a toll-collector on the Miami & Erie Canal in Dayton, John H. Patterson was constantly accused of charging higher rates to canal boat captains than other collectors. He developed a unique receipt system on ledgers to show each toll rate paid. Mr. Patterson also owned a coal mining company 100 miles southeast of Dayton. Based on sales, he knew they should be making a profit; however, the business kept losing money. Mr. Patterson purchased a new-on-the-market machine called a “cash register” for $50. Within weeks, the profits soared! Here was a solution for sale clerks and employees with sticky fingers….
2 comments:
Wow, great idea. Why did he have to buy the cash registers? I thought he was making them.
Okay, he didn't actually invent the original register. He bought an existing primitive version, improved it, advertised it, and THEN started selling.
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