History of the Typewriter

practically the same width. Thus, a, b, c, d, e, g, h, k, o, p, q, r, s, u, v, x, y, z do not vary very much one from the other. But in the case of f, i, j, 1, t, it will be seen that they are only half as wide, whilst m and w are much wider. We have become so used to seeing typewritten work, that nowadays we hardly notice how, in the word imminent the m’s are crowded together, or how, in the word illimi table the i’s and 1’s are spread out. But the Maskeiyne machine so contrived matters, that the carriage only moved a narrow space when a narrow letter was typed, a medium space when a middle-width letter was typed, and a wide space for the broader letters. Thus, not only was the proportion of space regulated, but the effect was far more pleasing to the eye. What this regulation of space meant, may be gauged from the following comparison :— ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ From this it will be seen that in the case of the typewritten letters, much less space is required. But compare the following :— 111111111111 111111111111 nnnnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnnnn mmmmmrnnrmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmm and it will be at once seen what differential spacing was intended to rectify. , i . In order to secure this end, a very simple, yet effective method was adopted. In place of the one universal bar, as in other machines, the Maskeiyne provided four, of which two or more were set in motion according to the width of character printed. The escapement of the machine consisted of a geared wheel, playing direct into the rack at the lower part of the carriage. This wheel was kept in restraint by means of'a clutch, which, on the depression of the key was thrown out of engagement, and by means of the universal bars was moved up so many teeth as were required to permit the carriage to travel the necessary distance. Now, it will be readily understood that the movement of a typewriter is exceedingly rapid, and the machine really has to bear, even with careful operators, a good deal of vibration. To enable it to^withstand this, it is necessary that every moving parti should be extremely strong, and not liable to twist, shake, or break. The