This object, No. H9068, a portable cheque writer made by Todd Protectograph Co., c. 1920, in the Powerhouse collection, was researched by Collections Research volunteer Marcel.
At first glance, this compact, table-model machine might seem like a curious relic of office life, but it represents an important chapter in the history of financial security. Manufactured around 1920 in Rochester, New York, the cheque writer was designed to combat a very real and widespread problem of its time: cheque fraud.
The machine itself is a striking piece of industrial design. Constructed from a combination of metal, plastic, and glass, it has a solid, functional presence. On top, a sliding scale allows the user to select numerical amounts, while at the front, a metal roller and hand crank bring the mechanism to life. Inside the inspection cover on the right-hand side, a card with printed instructions remains as a testament to its everyday use.
Operating the cheque writer was a tactile process. The user would set the desired amount, insert a cheque, and turn the handle to wind it through the machine. As the cheque passed through, the device would imprint the amount in two forms: numbers in black ink and words in red. This dual-printing system was a clever security feature, while numbers could be altered, the printed words made tampering far more difficult, significantly reducing the risk of fraud.
The company behind this innovation, Todd Protectograph Co., was established in 1899 by G.W. Todd. By 1910, the company proudly advertised that 85,000 of its protectographs were already in use, highlighting just how essential these machines had become to businesses, including banks, seeking to safeguard financial transactions.
This particular cheque writer was acquired into the Powerhouse collection as a gift from Email Ltd on 10 September 1973. It also sits alongside other calculating and financial devices from the same manufacturer, including a later “Star adding machine” (1930–1950), a mechanical pinwheel calculator that reflects the evolution of office technology.
Today, the portable cheque writer stands as more than just a tool, it is a reminder of the ingenuity applied to everyday problems and the ongoing effort to secure financial systems long before the digital age.
Thank you, Marcel, for uncovering and sharing the story of this remarkable object.
Research and story by volunteer Marcel. Blogpost by Karen Griffiths, (Volunteers Program Officer)