NCR cash register made by National Cash Register Co.

NCR cash register made by National Cash Register Co., Dayton, Ohio

In 1879, the American bar owner James Ritty invented the cash register. He hoped his invention would thwart his employee's attempts at pocketing money - his first model was called 'Ritty's Incorruptible Cashier'.

Ritty sold his company, cash register and patents in 1881 and a new company was established - the National Manufacturing Company. In 1884, the company was renamed the National Cash Register Company, maker of the first mechanical cash registers, and their first offices were based in Dayton, Ohio. The National Cash Register Company (NCR) dominated the production and sale of cash registers around the world. NCR cash registers were very widespread after the First World War and have continued to operate into the twenty-first century as NCR.