The owner of a company tells his employees, “You worked very hard this year, therefore the company’s profits increased dramatically. As a reward, I'm giving everyone a check for $5,000!”
Thrilled, the employees gather round and high five one another.
“And if you work with the same zeal next year, I'll sign those checks!”
ProtectographIn 1904, the Protectograph check-writing machine was patented under the title “Printing-Stamp” by Libanus McLouth Todd of Rochester, New York (U.S. Patent No. 766,853). It was designed to protect against check forgers by marking and embossing the amount on a check, thereby preventing the amount thus shown to be later dishonestly changed to a higher value. The apparatus had co-axial printing wheels with lines of raised type forming a series of numbers and suitable words. A check would be placed between the wheels and a platen. An inked felt-covered roller applied ink to the type as the wheels were turned to select the chosen imprint. The platen surface had a yielding material, such as rubber. When actuated by a hand-lever, it was raised from beneath the check and embossed the paper against the type.« |
