While out in Plymouth the other day I came across this factory.
Designed by Albert Kahn in 1938, this building housed the Burroughs Adding Machine.
It served as both offices and a factory.
It is a striking building and looks much younger than 68 years old. One of Kahn’s later works, but very influenced by the modern architecture of the late 1930’s.
The former Burroughs Corp. housed at this site is now called UNISYS, and is featured on historic tours cordinated through the Motor Cities Auto National Heritage Area. Burroughs originally called the Airothometer Co. moved from St. Louis to Detroit in 1904 after the founder William S. Burroughs who patented the adding machine decided to expand production worldwide. In 1944, Burroughs was given an Army Navy “E” award for the production of the Norden Bombsight. This instrument made accurrate high altitude bombing possible and is considered by some military authorities to be the most significant device in contributing to the shortening of WWII. Unfortunately the tall smoke stack that had the name Burroughs displayed in the brick work was demolished several years ago. The original Albert Kahn windows were modernizedand tinted.
I have a burroughs adding machine…direct -Alternating. It is in excellent condition and still works. Would like to know how much it is worth.
I have a burroughs adding machine…direct -Alternating. It is in excellent condition and still works. Would like to know how much it is worth.
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I have a burroughs adding machine…direct -Alternating. It is in excellent condition and still works. Would like to know how much it is worth.
Christine, it looks like they are worth anywhere from $5.00 to $20.00. At least that’s based on the ones selling on eBay.
possiedo un calcolatore burroughs vorrei sapere il suo valore . era di mio nonno e penso che sia del 1920
Hey, I happened to be checking ou the older entries here… I know someone who works at that place! 🙂 His name is Alex. Nice place to work, from what he says… takes some brians to get in there though…
-CHuck
Price would depend on the year/model(class) of the machine and condition.
Class was from Class 1 (first model) to class 3, to class 8 (add only) clss 9 (add/subtract, class 10 (two accumulators – registers)
Also ten-key models (keyboard with ten keys)
Hello– Can you please tell me what the worth is of a Burroughs adding machine- class 3?? I know it is very old, I believe it was itroduced in 1911 so there has to be some worth to it?? I’d really appreciate your help!!
Thanks so much!!
Melissa
I have a Burrough adding machine found in my parent home can you tell me the vaule of this machine.
Model # P1616490 or P161649G
I have an older burroughs adding machine and would like to know a value and more importantly a little bit of history about this machine as it was a gift to me from my dad who has passed away. On the front plate is No#4 19495-R glass sides, pull out tray on the left. Please e-mail response to davwei@hotmail.com Thank You;. Dave Weisgram
Dear Human Resources:
Can you give me the website for Burroughs Corp.? Can I fill out an application form?
Regards,
Klaus Koeger
Dear Human Resources:
I’m interested in filling out an online application, can you direct me to an online website or direct me to a place to go.
Regards,
Cynthia Davis
Burroughs ceased to exist in 1986.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burroughs_Corporation
i’m really confused about why people are requesting applications here LOL!
Aaron, me too. However two in four days is a bit much. If I was in charge, and people were asking about applications to a company on a unrelated blog, I wouldn’t want them working for me! LOL
HA!
Hello, sorry lol I am not looking for work but I am looking for info on a #9 Burroughs ie value and where to get it fully restored. I have had this all my life. It was a gift from My grandmother and I would realy like to keep it in mint condition.
plaese send any and all responce to aabe@cox.net
Thank You
Mike
As for the the Burroughs Plymouth Plant on Plymouth Rd in the above photo, if you look at the current sign on the employee entrance next to the parking lot, they have changed it to Burroughs Payment Systems. I noticed last week when I went to the credit union which is next to the parking lot. The Unisys signs have come off the building and they are building a new sign infront of the main entrance on Plymouth Rd.
My father worked at this building (Burroughs and Unisys) and 2nd Ave in Detroit. It is a shame that Unisys took down the smoke stack with Burroughs on it. That was a wonderful part of this complex.
My grandfather retired from Burroughs in the early 1960s.
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