The world's first Odds Computer

Up till this time, only pool figures were displayed to the public but, in 1927, Mr. Julius came to light with automatic odds, which was probably the biggest milestone in the Company's existence. Models of this type of equipment were taken to London and North and South America. In 1930, Automatic Odds Equipment was installed at Harringay Dog Track in London, and the following year Automatic Odds Barometer Indicators were installed at Flemington, Caulfield, Moonee Valley and at Williamstown Racecourses in Victoria, Australia. It is as well to point out here that at this stage legislation had only just been passed to permit totalizator betting in the State of Victoria and that these installations were done in the middle of the depression years and represented the largest single bulk order from a group of racecourses. During this period an associate company, Totalisators Ltd, was formed in London to manufacture, install and operate totalisators in the United Kingdom, Europe and Africa.

An example of a Julius Tote Barometer Indicator

The above image shows an example of a Julius Tote Barometer indicator which is referred to in the previous paragraph as Automatic Odds Barometer Indicators. It is on the side of an old tote house building at Riccarton Racecourse in Christchurch New Zealand, long after it was last used as a totalisator building and looking in tip-top condition. I was very impressed by this extremely well preserved old tote house and indicator when I saw it in 2007. The vertical yellow bands, left at differing heights on the face of the indicator, give an idea of what the indicator looked like when it was in operation and their likeness to an old mercury barometer is what gave rise to this type of indicator's name.

On the first installation at Harringay Dog Track, in London, odds were displayed on a Digital Indicator and a pointer, like the hands of a watch, indicating the odds on the particular starter. The mechanical analogue Odds Computer was an ingenious device which undoubtedly put the company in the forefront as Totalizator Engineers.

Immediately after the depression, Automatic Odds installations went to India, New Zealand and right throughout Australia. The first installation in the United States was made in 1932, when equipment was installed at Hialeah Racetrack in Miami, Florida. The second world war in the late 1930s put an end to totalizator manufacture and installation for almost 10 years. During the war years the factory, which had moved to Chalmers Street Sydney in 1933, went into full production for the Department of Defence and later the company expanded the munitions work to include tooling.

Following is an extract from a company document titled The PREMIER (JULIUS) AUTOMATIC TOTALISATOR, which has two low resolution versions of the type of odds calculator shown above, labelled FIG. 21. and FIG. 22. on page thirteen. This company document has the following text associated with these figures. This document text drifts from the shaft adders to the Indicators and this extract starts at the point where it moves onto the indicators. The first sentence overlaps with the previous extract as this is where the transition from the Adders to the Indicators starts. It refers to the newly available odds displays which Automatic Totalisators Limited manufactured after George Julius invented the world's first odds computer. This is the tenth and final extract in a sequence of extracts from the company document contained in multiple Photo Gallery pages. The previous extract can be read in the Photo Gallery page accessible by clicking on the image at the top of this page and scrolling up in the index table to and selecting the image thumbnail which has associated text starting with the words This image shows an ornate early large system adder ... , which is in the group of images in the index table titled Randwick Racecourse Sydney New South Wales:

As previously described, Premier equipment is now available, and is, in fact, in use by means of which the result of the betting can be displayed to the public in terms of the "expected dividend" or "odds" on the horse, in place of the more usual and older method of recording only the "number" of tickets sold. The equipment used for this purpose is of simple type, and accurately and instantaneously makes the necessary percentage deduction from the grand total pool, whether it be on a "win" or a "place" machine, and at the same time calculates the amount of the dividend that would be paid to the "winning" or "placed" horses, as the case may be, at that instant in the betting.

Figs. 21 and 22 show the front and side views of a typical "Premier" Odds Indicator Equipment. The mechanism shown records for each of two horses the total number of tickets sold on each horse by the inner hand on each of the two inner dials, and the "expected Dividend" or "Odds" for each of the two horses by the outer hand on the outer dials and the total number of tickets sold on all the horses in the race by the upper dial and hand.

Webmaster's note:

There are some differences between figures 21 and 22 in the company document and the image at the top of the page. Firstly the top image above gives an edge on view which provides a combined view of both the front and side as provided by Figs. 21 and 22. Secondly, instead of providing records for each of two horses, the demonstration calculator in this top image above provides for four horses. Thirdly, the odds indicators in this top image only have one hand and do not have the inner hand and consequently do not provide the total number of tickets sold on each horse, only the odds. Finally the number of tickets sold on all the horses, grand total dial and hand, instead of being on the top as in the company document, is on the bottom in the image at the top of this page.

The machine in question was installed for "place" betting and the "pool" is divided in the ratio of 60 per cent. for the backers of the winning horse, and 20 per cent. each for the backers of the second and third horses. Before the pool is divided however, a deduction of 12½ per cent. has to be made from the grand total of the investments, this 12½ per cent. representing the fixed deduction made by the Government on all moneys passing through the totalisator. An investor, therefore, to determine the dividend that he may expect on any particular horse, has first to deduct 12½ per cent. from the grand total, as displayed on the indicator. He then has to divide up the remaining amount in the ratio of 60 per cent., 20 per cent., and 20 per cent. and finally has to divide these reduced amounts by the "number" representing the investments on the particular horse in which he is interested, so that he may discover the dividend that he would receive, should his horse run first, second or third. Whilst he is making these calculations, the totalisator indicators are all moving rapidly, and usually an approximate result only can be obtained. THE PREMIER ODDS INDICATOR DOES THE WHOLE OF THESE OPERATIONS AUTOMATICALLY and INSTANTANEOUSLY, AND DISPLAYS TO THE PUBLIC THE DIVIDEND THAT MAY BE EXPECTED ON EACH HORSE, WHETHER IT BE ON A WIN MACHINE OR A PLACE MACHINE.

Webmaster's note: I have lived through the large scale introduction of digital computers into the workplace and seen them render staff redundant. From the above, it is evident that technology did not have to wait for the first electronic computers to render staff redundant!

The use of these "full automatic" subsidiary indicators has also greatly reduced the amount of electric energy required for the operation of the equipment--a factor of very great importance in large totalisator installations.

Webmaster's note: And as time went on, efficiency in general became more and more of a concern!

One of the greatest advantages of the latest form of Premier equipment is its flexibility, which permits of its installation in such a way as will meet the requirements of any course, whether large or small. Selling booths may be located just as the needs of the course may require. Indicators may be located wherever there may be a group of selling booths, and even, also, in the middle of the Racecourse, so that the progress of the betting may be visible to every person in the various stands around the Course.

On smaller Courses, buildings may be provided suitable for the housing of Premier equipment, and the whole machine constructed so that within 24 hours it can readily be transferred from such a building on one Racecourse to a similar building on another, making allowance, of course, for the distance between the two courses. This arrangement makes it possible for a group of small country Clubs to purchase one equipment to serve all their race meetings, provided such meetings do not fall upon the same day. To meet even smaller requirements, a portable equipment, mounted on a suitable motor lorry, can be supplied. Such equipment would contain its own electrical power plant, all its calculating machines, and its indicators, and could travel from course to course, as required.

Webmaster's note:

Although I started with Automatic Totalisators Limited 77 years after the above was written, these principles were very much still in use. The PDP11 computer based totalisator systems that I worked on, that replaced the Julius Totalisators in the Brisbane region, were mobile and the transaction processors were installed in two semi-trailers that serviced five racetracks. Two separate systems were required due to the condition presented in the previous paragraph, that one system cannot be used as a solution if multiple meetings are conducted at the same time. The ticket issuing machines and other mobile equipment was transported separately to the central computers in the semis however.

An illustration of the erection of a subsidiary "barometer" type of Indicator on the back of a grandstand is shown in Fig. 23, and in Fig. 24 an illustration is given of a typical motor-truck type of portable machine, suitable for small country racecourses. In this latter equipment the selling booths can be permanently erected on each course, small, light wooden sheds only being required, and the ticket-issuing machines could be installed within a few minutes in these booths, and be transported at the end of the meeting to some other course.

Webmaster's notes:

Again, A Julius Tote "barometer" type of Indicator is shown in the image above titled An example of a Julius Tote Barometer Indicator as well as the one on the side of the drawing of a truck in the image immediately above.

The image above titled Motor Truck type of portable totalisator shows Fig. 24 referred to in the company document paragraph immediately below the image, and is extracted from the same company document.

The text in the image above just mentioned reads: FIG. 24. Typical "Motor Truck" type of portable Totalisator for small country racecourses, showing small independent "Sell and Pay" booths and portable Barometer Type Indicator.

The truck shown as a foreground drawing in Fig. 24. can be seen in the background painting/drawing of the racetrack scene, behind the grandstand. Two of the independent shed-like Sell and Pay booths mentioned, can be seen at the far left of the image on the near side of the truck in the racetrack scene and to the left of the tree, which is on the right hand side of the grandstand. There are five groups of people in the racetrack scene which is typical of racetracks today. First the ones in the grandstand second the ones near the track paying attention to the horses, third the ones associated with what looks like a function tent located top right, which has a sign above the entrance containing one word "BAR" and the other two are associated with the tote. Fourth are the group behind the grandstand looking at the mobile indicator board and fifth consists of two groups doing the same thing, queueing up at the independent shed-like Sell and Pay booths.

In the bottom left corner of the racetrack scene, there is writing Smith & Julius Studios followed by what looks like initials, which are not clear, possibly TAP except the horizontal component of the T which should be on top is an extension of the horizontal component of the A in the middle which stops at the vertical member of the T. I find Smith & Julius Studios interesting, as I have seen other evidence that George Julius or another family member might have been involved in what is probably an art studio. I have discovered from DESIGN & ART AUSTRALIA ONLINE that the Julius in Smith & Julius Studios was Harry Julius, also known as Henry George Julius and that the company was an advertising agency. George Julius of Totalisator History fame, who I will refer to using his full name George Alfred Julius to avoid confusion, was twelve years older than Harry so if there is a family connection it must be in their ancestors. If it is a coincidence that they have the same surname it is even stranger that Harry Julius should also be known as Henry George Julius. Another strange coincidence that I have determined from The Kings Candlesticks website is that there is a Henry (Harry) George Archibald Julius in George Julius' family who was born in Sydney 31 years after Henry George Julius from Smith & Julius Studios. One thing appears fairly certain, that George Alfred Julius knew Henry George Julius, as Henry's company Smith & Julius Studios, was producing advertising material for George's company Automatic Totalisators Limited.
Postscript to the above entry: Edward Fenn, Webmaster of the very impressive website The Kings Candlesticks, a genealogy site covering the Julius family as well as some associated families, informed me that Harry Julius from the company Smith & Julius Studios is in this website's database as Henry George (Harry) JULIUS [9596]. He is not sure however if Harry Julius is a member of George's family.

In the next part of the extract from The PREMIER (JULIUS) AUTOMATIC TOTALISATOR, which follows the image below, there is a reference to Fig. 25. I have not included this figure however the Longchamps Pavilion in the image below shows the type of indicator display element in Fig. 25. It is referred to below in the next paragraph of the document extract as ordinary numbered drums, which I will refer to as counters. These counters are clearly visible on the front of the pavilion and constitute the investment indicator. The man on the ladder is working on one of the windows for one of the counters. Drum in the name refers to the counter wheel display elements, one for each digit which have the digits 0 through 9 painted on the perimeter, which although they are mounted vertically side by side, when the whole assembly is stood on its side it looks like a drum. As the counters in the image below have six digits each, there will be six of these drums sitting side by side in each of them. With six digits it starts to look like an elongated drum, a Tombadora drum perhaps. There are two annotations on Fig. 25. The first points to a number above the counter and reads HORSE NUMBER. The white circles on top of each counter of the Longchamps Pavilion will, when the installation is complete, show the respective horse numbers. Note the display element at the top of the investment indicator all on its own, has no white circle on top of it, as it is the Pool Grand Total Counter and has no associated runner number. The second annotation in Fig. 25, points to the right hand digit of the example counter and reads INVESTMENT ON HORSE EXPRESSED BY NUMBER OF UNIT BETS.

On these two pages are shown diagrammatically various methods adopted by Automatic Totalisators Limited for displaying the betting records to the public. Fig. 25 shows ordinary numbered drums, which record from instant to instant the number of bets made on each horse and the grand total of the bets. This same information can be recorded and exhibited in a simpler manner by the use of a dial and pointer, as shown in Fig. 26.

Webmaster's notes:

Fig. 26 shows a dial the same as the one at the top of Fig. 30. in the image below. The main other difference is that Fig. 26 has the runner number 9 on top of the dial to show which runner in the race the dial is showing information for. In the case of the dial in Fig. 30 it is showing information for runner 8 as shown below the dial. Whilst on the subject of this dial, there are two annotations associated with this dial. The first pointing to the tip of the pointer reads 8,300 UNIT BETS, and the one pointing to the word THOUSANDS reads INVESTMENT ON HORSE EXPRESSED BY NUMBER OF UNIT BETS.

Figures 27 through 30 Page 16

As previously described, the results of Totalisator investments may also be displayed to the public in terms of "expected Dividends" or "Odds," and this may be done in various ways. Fig. 31 shows the "expected Dividend" or "Odds," displayed by means of a dial and pointer.

Webmaster's notes:

Fig. 31 shows a dial the same as the one at the top of Fig. 28. in the image above. The main other difference is that Fig. 31 has the runner number 4 on top of the dial to show which runner in the race the dial is showing information for. In the case of the dial in Fig. 28 it is showing information for runner 5 as shown below the dial. Whilst on the subject of this dial, there are two annotations associated with this dial. The first pointing to the tip of the pointer reads DIVIDEND £8-10, and the one pointing to the £1 symbol on the dial reads NUMBERS SHEW DIVIDEND IN POUNDS FOR INVESTMENT OF £1. Before you think that must be a typo! I have left NUMBERS SHEW without changing SHEW to SHOW as that is how it was deliberately written. SHEW is now an archaic word for SHOW.

The dial on top of Fig. 28 above, is the same type as the four dials on top of the odds computer shown in the image at the top of this page and the bottom dial in that image is the same type as the dial at the top of Fig. 30 above.

Webmaster's notes:

Additional to the reference to Figs 28 and 30 in the document titled The PREMIER (JULIUS) AUTOMATIC TOTALISATOR above, Fig. 28 shows the number of units or investment on runner 5 on the barometer indicator and the odds or expected dividend on the dial above and Fig. 30 shows the number of units or investment on runner 8 on the dial and the odds or expected dividend on barometer indicator below.

Fig. 33 mentioned in the last company document extract paragraph above, shows a drawing of a barometer indicator like the one in the image above titled An example of a Julius Tote Barometer Indicator. The only difference is that this image shows an odds barometer indicator and Fig. 33 shows a total number of Investments barometer indicator, which means the Fig. 33 barometer is graduated more like the barometers shown in Fig. 27 and Fig. 28 rather than the graduations of Fig. 29 and Fig. 30 shown in the image shown immediately above.

As this is the end of the extracts from The PREMIER (JULIUS) AUTOMATIC TOTALISATOR document, if you wish to start from the beginning of these extracts, click on the image at the top of this page and scroll up to the top of the Photo Gallery index to the index heading with text starting with the words Ellerslie Racecourse New Zealand 1913 then select the image thumbnail below that with the associated text starting with the words The Tote House at Ellerslie Racecourse.

Finally, the company Smith & Julius Studios mentioned in the Webmaster's Notes below the image titled Motor Truck type of portable totalisator, has a broader significance than just the racetrack scene shown in that image, to the document The PREMIER (JULIUS) AUTOMATIC TOTALISATOR from which it was extracted, as this document has the following printed on the outside of the back cover: