Troubles of a Merchant: Cash Register Cure (1917)

Discover "Troubles of a Merchant and How to Stop Them," a 1917 silent black-and-white short from Essanay, sponsored by National Cash Register Co. Ralph Graves stars as a clerk in J.W. White’s chaotic store, where sloppy work, forgetful staff, and no paperwork spell doom. Enter the cash register—a miracle fix! Scenes shift from messy shelves and bumbling employees to smooth sales and happy customers, touting NCR’s system as the cure. This 34-minute industrial reel, blending humor with salesmanship, charms film buffs and history fans with an early glimpse of retail woes and tech salvation.