In 1879 James Ritty, a Dayton Saloon-keeper invented and patented the first cash register after seeing the engine room telegraph on a voyage to Liverpool, England in 1878. His invention was later sold to J.H. Eckert for $1000.

1881 saw Eckert selling the Invention to the National Manufacturing Company, which was owned by seven Dayton Citizens.

1882 John Patterson purchased 4 cash registers from the National Manufacturing Company, for his Coal Business.

1883 John & Frank Patterson bought fifty shares for $2500 and then sold 28 keeping 11 each.

1884 Controlling interest in the National Manufacturing Company bought by John Patterson for $6500

1884 Nov 22nd John H. Patterson took over the management and changed the name to the National Cash Register Company - later to become the NCR Corporation. The first office, with thirteen employees, was located in the Callahan Power Building, in Dayton, Ohio.

It was said that on1885 March 19th. William Parnall of Bristol from a family of shopfitters was appointed the first Sales Agent in England, Despite extensive research in local newspapers and NCR records the webmaster has been unable to substantiate the statement and no evidence has been found of NCR products in his advertisements. 

1885 Englishman, J. W. Allison viewed the self-adding cash register at a Chicago exhibition and learned that the machine could be adapted for English currency. He was so impressed, he became NCR's first international agent based in Liverpool. Wm. Parnall appointed sales agent for Bristol.

1886 J.W. Allinson appointed sales agent for Great Britain, France, Belgium and Holland. First London office established in one room at 95 The Strand by Allinson under the name of the "National Cash Register Till Co"..
First Cash Registers to be used in Great Britain at the refreshment stands at the International Exposition, Liverpool.

1889 London office moved to 356 The Strand.
Mid-to-late 1880's Innovative sales techniques were instituted: guaranteed sales territories, quota and point systems, sales conventions, conservative dress. Also, advertising, direct-mail, publications for agents, customers and employees were instituted on a massive scale.