1. Shift from Mechanical Registers to iPads Cash registers are fading as Point-of-Sale systems and iPads take over. Despite this, some local cash-only spots, like artisanal cocktail bars, might still cling to the traditional cash register.

2. Early Mechanical Registers Originally, cash registers were purely mechanical and lacked receipts. Employees manually entered transactions, and a bell signaled a sale when the total key was pressed. These machines were essentially basic adding machines.

3. Odd Pricing Origins Odd pricing, like $49.99, emerged to compel cashiers to open the till for change. According to Bill Bryson, this practice aimed to announce the sale discreetly.

4. The Changing Ownership In 1879, James Ritty patented the cash register but later sold it to Jacob H. Eckert. Eventually, John H. Patterson renamed the company the National Cash Register Company in 1884. Patterson’s improvements included adding a paper roll to record transactions, enhancing fraud protection through receipts.

5. Evolution for Efficiency The shift from mechanical registers to modern systems marks a significant leap in efficiency, simplifying transactions and improving record-keeping. The cash register’s journey reflects both technological progress and the need for enhanced business operations.