The Addo-X 341 adding machine

The Addo-X 341 is an adding machine made in Sweden in the 1950s. My version has a carriage for feeding paper sheets, but most just had a simple paper roll.
For more information on this and other machines in my collection, please visit my website:
www.jaapsch.net/mechcalc/
0:00 Introduction
0:25 History
1:35 Entering numbers
2:00 Addition
2:16 Subtraction
2:50 Subtotals and totals
4:20 Symmetric keyboard
4:45 Multiplication
5:55 Step-O-Matic
6:54 Non-Add
7:14 Carriage
8:44 Addo-X 351
9:33 Ink ribbon
9:49 Power cord
11:06 Outro

[@GrumpyTim]

I love the fact they made everything symmetrical, particularly on the later machine with it's hatch opening button!!! Pity the repeat and step-O-matic don't work, but sometimes it's better to live with the odd fault than spend forever trying to diagnose and fix it. Great little machine Jaap - I do like the machines that can print on headed paper and other documents, they're just that bit more unusual.

[@jaapsch2]

Yes, it is a shame about that erroneous clearing problem. I had hoped that I could look at the 351 to understand how it should work in the 341, but oddly enough, that 351 has exactly the same problem! I have some service manuals, but they are missing the pages that actually describe that section of the mechanism and only has pages listing all the changes that were made to the parts. It can be very frustrating sometimes.

[@GrumpyTim]

@@jaapsch2 Yeah, that definitely sounds like whatever the part is that gets stuck, has got stuck on both machines - it's definitely frustrating at times - I don't think most people know just how much effort goes into getting them running!!! I've wasted/spent most of today making a new gear for the printer in a 1970s Burroughs electronic calculator.

[@jaapsch2]

@@GrumpyTim Yes, I saw your last video. I'm looking forward to seeing the Burroughs in action, so I hope you get it working.

[@59imperial]

I have an Addo-X model 2353. My neighbor had set it out on the curb, but I was able to save it. There doesn't seem to be too much information on the web on the series 50. I thoroughly enjoyed the Addo section that you recently added to your website.

[@jaapsch2]

Nice! I also found it difficult to find out much about the many different models, and had a hard time compiling my model tables. In fact, I don't know what the difference is between the 2353 and 3353. I think the difference between 2341 and 3341 was just the movable decimal point functionality, and I presume that is also true on the series 50, but I'm not sure. It's good to hear you enjoyed it!

[@DiegoPerez-wj1oq]

Tengo la misna, pero las teclas no bajan😔

[@TaramiBedona]

Have you tried using it with either hand? The symmetry of the keys looks neat but I have my doubts whether it actually makes it more ambidextrous in any significant sense. Since the key functions are fixed, you still have different ergonomics depending on whether you use your left or right hand, so one handedness will likely still be significantly advantaged. I dunno, it smells a bit like marketing speak (on Addo's part) to claim that visual symmetry is the same as ergonomic symmetry, so to speak. Additionally, since the input digit counter is _precisely_ where your left hand would fall (if the wear marks on the opposite side are anything to go by) it seems possibly less convenient for a left-hander than many other machines...

[@jaapsch2]

I haven't really tried it left-handed. Obviously it would not be quite the same because addition is much more common than subtraction, so I share your doubts. I think this was mostly marketing guff, but I can't deny the symmetry is aesthetically pleasing.

[@zse8861]

Do you still collect Comptometer Super Totalizer serial numbers? I have two of them...

[@jaapsch2]

Sure. Mail the details and I'll add it to my page. My email address is on my site.

[@DaveInBridport]

Never seen a machine like that. Full width carriage is odd.

[@jaapsch2]

It would be used if you want to print the calculation on a pre-printed form. The form would have text explaining what each line means. Or you could use blank paper and put it in a typewriter afterwards to add such text. Machines like this with a wide carriage are not uncommon.