History of the Typewriter

— 120 — Fig. 97 it to grip the paper, was given, the scale-bar was then lifted, and the lower end of the sheet tucked away into the receiver below. This arrangement has now been greatly improved upon, for the paper is placed in the front paper-case feet first and right side up, and the machine automatically feeds it through to the rear case (or receiver) as the writing proceeds. The feed-roll is now placed in front of the platen (thus preventing the risk of smearing from the use of too moist an ink pad), and the whole operation of placing the paper in the machine is performed in a fraction of the time previously required. A sloping paper table carries the sheet as it is fed through after being typed upon, with the result that at least five inches of the work remains absolutely in sight. The paper-case has also been enlarged and perfected, and there is no possible risk of the paper kinking or creasing instead of curling round as it should, under ordinary circumstances, always do. There is a shift-key at each side of the keyboard, either of which can be used, as may be found more convenient,