History of the Typewriter

— 126 — which we have, executed by the Pneumatic are as clear and well defined in all respects as could be wished, and it was unfortunate that the attempt to place the Pneumatic on the market should have proved abortive. It has, however, been suggested that the amount of force with which each air chamber was struck would require to be exceedingly regular. It is probable, also, that varia- tions of atmospheric conditions might prove troublesome. On these points we can say nothing but we should certainly like to see another attempt made to set the Pneumatic on its feet. The price at which it was to be sold was twelve guineas, and machines were intended to be made, fitted either with the Remington, the Hammond, or the Caligraph keyboard. The inventor’s name, it should be mentioned, was Marshall A. Weir (of London). The Ford. This is a most ingenious piece of work, and, is an ex- ceedingly compact machine. The special features claimed on behalf of the Ford may be thus enumerated. Visible writing : everything down to the last letter written being in absolute sight. Permanent alignment : the type-bar not being bent or twisted as in other high class makes, the result is a perfect and unalterable alignment which remains unchanged by use or wear. Speed is one of its most remark- able points. In order to prevent the type-bars colliding, Fig. 103 it is necessary that the bars should withdraw only one quarter of an inch, when a free passage is left for the following bar to meet the printing point. The carriage is made of aluminium, and runs on ball bearings. The touch is said to be very light, and the‘ depression of the keys but half an inch. 1 he keyboard follows the standard arrangement, and works with a double shift. The typeheads being arranged in a compact semi-circle, are capable of being instantly cleaned, and the ribbon