William Seward Burroughs I

William Seward Burroughs I
William Seward Burroughs I
Born	Template:Birth date; Rochester, New York, U.S.
Died	September 14, 1898 (aged 41); Citronelle, Mobile County, Alabama, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Inventor, businessman
Known for	Inventing the adding machine; founding the American Arithmometer Company (later Burroughs Adding Machine Company)

William Seward Burroughs I (January 28, 1857 – September 14, 1898) was an American innovator originating from Rochester, New York.

Personal background

The son of a mechanic, Burroughs was exposed to machinery from an early age. His family relocated to Auburn, New York, where he completed his education in public schools. In 1879, he wed Ida (née Selover), and together they had four children: Jennie, Horace, Mortimer (who became the father of author William S. Burroughs II), and Helen.

Inventive pursuits

Beginning his career as a bank clerk in 1875, Burroughs developed an interest in enhancing adding machines to minimize errors in clerical work. After seven years in banking, he left the profession to dedicate himself to mechanical inventions. For health reasons, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri during the early 1880s and joined the Boyer Machine Shop. There, he created a prototype adding machine that prioritized precision through novel engineering methods.

In 1885, Burroughs submitted his initial patent application for a "calculating machine" designed to simplify arithmetic tasks for clerks. By 1890, his devices had gained widespread acceptance within the banking sector.

Establishing a company

Burroughs established the American Arithmometer Company in 1886; following his death, partner John Boyer renamed it the Burroughs Adding Machine Company in 1904.

Shortly before his passing, Burroughs was honored with the Franklin Institute's John Scott Legacy Medal and was later inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. In addition to his adding machines, he secured a patent for an electric alarm clock in 1892.

He died in Citronelle, located in Mobile County, Alabama, and his remains were interred at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.

Patents

Calculating-machine. Application submitted January 1885; granted August 1888.
Calculating-machine. Filed August 1885; issued August 1888.
Calculating-machine. Filed March 1886; issued August 1888.
Calculating-machine. Filed November 1887; issued August 1888.
Electric alarm clock. Granted February 1892.
Calculating machine. Issued week ending September 5, 1893.

External links

Records of the Burroughs Corporation held by the Charles Babbage Institute at the University of Minnesota. Contains documents related to the Burroughs Corporation and its antecedents.
Biography and scientific resources on William S. Burroughs provided by The Franklin Institute's Case Files.
Overview of the Burroughs Adding Machine available at The Franklin Institute.