From: Bill Snyder
Subject: Brandt Automatic Cashier
Date: May 31, 1998

I have what I'd call a "subtracting machine". It makes change for one dollar. That is, when a $ was tendered at the old department store where this machine was found, the clerk punched in the purchase amount (say, 57 cents). The machine did the subtraction, then dropped 43 cents into the clerk's hand.

It is the "Brandt Automatic Cashier", made by a company by that name in Watertown, WI.

(A similar machine was commonly used in banks but it did no calculations. If a clerk keyed in 57 cents, 57 cents dropped into his/hers/its hand).

I would be happy to learn more about Brandt and their machines (or answer any questions about this one).

Regards,

Bill Snyder

By the way, it is a desktop mahine, serial #101-88620. The oldest patent # is 1,616,515. and the latest patent # is 2,406,948.

Exact-change coin dispensers used to be common; I don't know why they disappeared. Perhaps it was too easy to steal from them, because there was no record kept of the disbursements.

Bill Snyder's e mail reminded me of the Coin Changing Device I purchased in Moscow, Idaho a while back. It is call a LIGHTNING and can be found on page 199 of 'The American Digest of Business Machines'. Works like the the Brandt, you want 57 cents, it will give you 2 quarters, 1 nickle and 2 pennies.

Unlike the machine in the book, mine has an attachement to hold Silver Dollars. Even as late as the 1950's we us Silver Dollars out west. get a pocket full of them for change and you knew you had 'your pants full.' The grand kids love my coin changer.

Ernie Jorgenson