Bates numbering and numbering system Bates numbering and numbering system was introduced in the 1800s by Edwin G. Bates (), who invented the first modern machine that could stamp consecutively numbers or numbers in a repeated pattern. The number system evolved from the British system, where all the numbers from 1 to 999 were stamped. After a period of time, a new pattern with the first number of 1 or the last number of 999 appeared, followed by the first number of 1000 and the last number of 1000. The system remained relatively unchanged until the adoption of the American system in 1920. Bates Numbers System — New York Times In the 1920s, the International Union of Number ism (see below) suggested that the numbering system be adopted as standard in all government offices, and that it be standardized in all other areas of the economy. The International Union of Number ism — Wikipedia The Bates numbering system uses two numerals for each successive number and an associated mark, such as a cross, to mark the successive number. (See below for more information.) Bates numeral system, 1942: B, C, D, B, C, D, D, C, D 1953: B, B, A, D 1959: A, D, B 1842–1857: 1 1857–1958: 2 1958–1968: A 1968–present: 2B,A, D Bates numbering and a Bates Stamper — Wikipedia An electrical model of a Bates numbering machine with the word D (for double), A (for alternating number), and a number between the cross marks is shown on page 10 of Bates, Andrews & Mac nab (1991) In 1858, Edwin G. Bates became a patent clerk and inventor. He soon found that the Bates system helped to organize his business documents but lacked the precision needed to record the cost of a product. This led him to invent two improvements to the Bates marking system: the Bates Stamper, which would advance the number, and the Bates numbering machine, which would automatically advance the next number in the Bates numbering sequence. A Bates number machine is the combination of the Bates Stamper (electrical self-inking machine) with a Bates numbering machine (deterministic numbering machine).