History of the Typewriter

— 124 — Fig. ioo at the ends of a series of rods each converging to the printing point, and struck forward by means of a direct thrust on to the paper, which was met at the front of the platen. In order to secure alignment, each bar travelled through its own apertures in two guide plates, and struck the common centre against a narrow ribbon. There were provided devices for the automatic return of the carriage and for the line space to be effected, but these did not operate with any degree of certainty. . Fig. ioi ] Shortly after its introduction in the States, an effort was made to float a Company in England to run the Rapid. A capital of £100,000 was asked for, and ol this sum it was stated that £75,000 was to be paid to the vendor to the Company for the patent rights. The pro- posed Company, however, did not meet with the success