Cash Register

Cha-ching. Hello there. My name is Cash Register, and I live in all sorts of fun stores. You can find me on the counter, waiting to help you buy yummy snacks, colorful toys, and cozy clothes. Before I was around, shopkeepers kept their shiny coins and paper money in little boxes. Sometimes it was hard for them to keep everything counted and safe. But then, I came along to help. I love the sound my buttons make when they are pushed, click, clack, click. And I love the happy bell sound I make when my drawer pops open. It is my way of saying hello.

My maker was a very kind man named James Ritty. He had a busy, happy place where people came to eat and talk, but he worried about keeping his money organized. One day, James was on a big boat and saw a special machine counting how fast the boat was going. Pop. A super bright idea went off in his head. He hurried home and started building. He gave me clicky-clacky keys to press for all the numbers and a special drawer that opens with a ding. I was born on November 4th, 1879, and I was so excited to start helping.

Now, I am a super helper in shops all around the world. I keep all the money cozy and safe inside my drawer until it is needed. When you buy something, I help the shopkeeper give you the right amount of coins back. I can even print a little paper note that says 'thank you' for shopping, which is called a receipt. I feel so proud when I help make shopping easy and fair for everyone. Every single day, I get to say hello with my happy bell and help my friends in the store. Cha-ching.