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Comptometer Room, Stratford Cooperative Society 1914 BL22762
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Comptometer Room, Stratford Cooperative Society 1914 BL22762
STRATFORD CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, Maryland Street, Stratford, Greater London. Interior view of the Comptometer Room at Stratford Co-operative Society, showing girls and boys working on model E compometers, manual calculating machines. The comptometer, invented in 1887 by American, Dor Felt, was the first successful manual calculating machine. The children in the photograph could be employed in work, with the school leaving age only being raised to 14 in the Education Act of 1918. Photographed by Harry Bedford Lemere, 1st July 1914
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Media ID 4198533
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken by the renowned British photographer Harry Bedford Lemere on 1st July 1914, offers a glimpse into the past of the Stratford Co-operative Society in Greater London. The image depicts the interior of the Comptometer Room, where young boys and girls are intently focused on their tasks. The room is filled with the rhythmic clatter of model E comptometers, manual calculating machines, which were invented by American Dorothy Amelia Scott Felt in 1887. At the time this photograph was taken, the school leaving age was only 14, and many children were employed in various industries to supplement their families' income. The Comptometer Room at the Stratford Co-operative Society provided an opportunity for these young people to gain valuable skills and contribute to the community. The comptometer, a precursor to modern electronic calculators, was a significant technological advancement in its time. Its invention revolutionized the way businesses and organizations performed calculations, making complex mathematical tasks more efficient and accurate. This photograph is a poignant reminder of childhood during the early 20th century, when children as young as 10 or 11 years old could be found working alongside adults in various industries. It also highlights the importance of education and the role it plays in shaping the future of individuals and society as a whole. The children in this photograph, with their determined expressions and focused demeanor, embody the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
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