History of the Typewriter

— 95 — Fig. 74 The finger-key action is very simple. The key-stem is a round wire rod, and is covered with a light spiral spring. At the lower end is riveted a very short lever—in fact,' so short that the makers deny having levers at all—and at the other end of the lever is the connecting wire which connects with the yoke end of the type-bar. On depression of any key, the short lever (that is not a lever) ’acts directly on the bar, bringing the type-end into contact with the paper. On being released the spiral spring (which is com- pressed between the key-top and a key-stem plate when the key is down) causes the key to resume its usual position. The peculiarity of the National is that the depression of the shift-keys does not affect the carriage nor the type- basket, but shifts the whole of the key-board nearer to, or further from, the printing point. The National is noisy, has a decidedly heavy touch, owing to the shortness or absence of the levers and thé weight of the type-bar ; is expressly stated to be good for for multi-colour work, owing to the ease with which the ribbons may be changed ; is very convenient for carrying, and is sold at a low price. The Armstrong. This machine is a very simple little instrument, employ- ing in all only about 325 parts, and although selling at £9 los. only, is yet capable of doing very good work. The types are mounted on the ends of long wire levers, and strike upwards through slots in a comb to the printing