Which historical invention is considered the first mechanical point-of-sale system, patented in 1879 to prevent employee theft in retail environments?

The point-of-sale system is a cornerstone of modern retail, but its history stretches back further than many realize. From mechanical marvels to digital transformation, the evolution of how we process transactions has shaped shopping experiences worldwide. This trivia question explores a pivotal moment in retail technology history that forever changed how merchants conducted business.

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The Ritty 'Incorruptible Cashier' - the first mechanical cash register created by James Ritty after witnessing a tool that counted ship propeller revolutions
Edison's Electrical Tally Machine - Thomas Edison's lesser-known invention designed to track sales in department stores using early electrical circuits
The Burroughs Adding Machine - William Seward Burroughs' mechanical device initially created for banks but adapted for retail use
The Western Union Transaction Recorder - a telegraph-based system allowing merchants to record sales and transmit daily totals to headquarters