-Junior Cash Register c. 1920s

E. Stevens made this cast iron ‘Junior Cash Register’ sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Though small, the object speaks volumes about the growth of consumer culture in America at the time. The cash register emerged as a symbol of modernity in a period marked by industrial expansion and the rise of department stores. This ‘junior’ version suggests an attempt to familiarize children with the mechanics of commerce. We can consider the role of advertising and marketing in shaping young minds, instilling values of thrift and entrepreneurialism. The intricate floral patterns belie the real function of the object. By framing the practice of saving in this way, the culture of commerce is naturalized. To properly understand this humble object, we need to turn to business histories, advertising ephemera, and sociological studies of consumerism. It is a reminder that even the most functional objects can be understood as reflections of evolving values.