Person:James Ritty (1)

Dayton Daily News, 30 March 1918, page 1, column 2 Capt. James Ritty, Inventor of Cash Register, Is Dead Capt. James Ritty and the First Cash Register Ever Produced (images of Ritty and machine) Captain James Ritty, better known as "Jake" Ritty, builder and generally regarded as the inventor of the first cash register died in his 81st year at his residence in the Arcade, Friday afternoon, at 4:15 o'clock. He had been suffering from heart trouble for seven weeks, but he had been able to be up and about, and even sometimes to go on automobile rides. So he seemed in no imminent danger of passing away at this time. Friday afternoon he had been helped into his sitting room by a nephew, G. W. French, and he seemed about as usual, when Mr. French and Mrs. Ritty were attracted by a sudden gasp. He expired before any help could be given him. Captain Ritty is credited with being the inventor of the first cash register by the officials of the National Cash Register factory themselves. He was proud of his invention, and far from being resentful because he did not derive much benefit from it, he continued to have the most friendly relations with John H. Patterson and his brother, Frank J. Patterson. Many times he was invited to attend various meetings and conferences that were being held there, and a photograph taken during a visit with the European sales agents several years ago, is still retained at the factory. This is the official statement of the N. C. R. concerning the share which James Ritty had in building the first cash register: "In 1879, James Ritty, a merchant of Dayton, broken in health and worry over his inability to keep touch with the details of his business, was forced to take a rest, and sailed for Europe. While crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner, his attention was drawn to a device in the engine room which recorded the revolutions of the propeller shaft. As he stood watching the device the thought came to him that if the machinery could be made to record the number of times a wheel turned, it might also records the number of nickels, dimes, quarters and other coins that came over the counter for goods. With this thought in mind, Mr. Ritty cut short his stay in Europe and returned to Dayton, where with the assistance of his brother, a skilled mechanic, he invented the first cash register. The brother in question is John Ritty, who passed away about three years ago. John Ritty later became the proprietor of a canning factory. But Captain Ritty found that he could not perfect his machine for lack of money, and so he sold his interests to the National Manufacturing company. At that time, John H. and Frank J. Patterson were engaged in the coal mining business at Coalton, Ohio. In connection with the mines, they operated a general store for supplying the miners. Although they were doing a good business, they were losing money, and they decided that something was wrong. On hearing that registers were being manufactured in Dayton, after the Ritty patent, they ordered two. These machines were crude, yet the sales increased as soon as they were placed in the store. Thus, the Patterson brothers became impressed with the future of cash registers as business neccessities. They thought that what was good for the little store in Coalton was good for every store in the world. And the idea grew upon them until they sold their business in Coalton, staked everything that they had upon the future of the newly incorporated National Manufacturing company, and started to make cash registers in the small factory that they set up on a small portion of the ground now occupied by the present factory. Besides being known for his invention of the cash register, Captain Ritty was quite as well known for his interest in the Pony House. He conducted this establishment on South Jefferson street until 14 years ago, when he retired from business. The Pony House was not only a hotel, but it was the popular meeting place for all members of the sporting fraternity. Captain James Ritty was born in Cincinnati, October 29, 1836, and was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Mary Ritty. Dr. Ritty removed to this city when James was about four years old, and opened his office on the West Side. He attended the grade schools, and the high school, and went to medical college for a time. Three years after his marriage, the Civil war broke out, and he enlisted almost immediately in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry. He was promoted from first lieutenant to captain, and was honorably discharged with that title after three years of service. His only immediate survivor is his wife, Mrs. Susan Ritty, to whom he was married for 56 years. The funeral will be held at the Woodland cemetery chapel at 2:30 o'clock Mnoday afternoon, and Rev. W. A. Hale will officiate. The remains will be placed in the Ritty vault, which was build under the owner's directon about 10 years ago.

Dayton Daily News, 30 March 1918, page 13, column 6 RITTY - Captain James. Friday, March 29, at 4:15 p.m. at his residence in the Arcade in his eighty-second year. Funeral services at Woodland Chapel, Monday at 2:30 p.m. Friends invited. Interment Woodland. Kindly omit flowers.