History of the Typewriter

— 155 — Fig. i2i almost invariably the case with type wheel machines, also creates a great deal of noise. The general form of the machine will be understood from the illustration. The keyboard follows the universal order, there being twenty- eight keys, which, by the operation of two shift-keys govern eighty-four characters. The type is engraved on a wheel, and resembles the wheel of the Blick and Commercial Visible, and other machines. The typewheel is connected with an index arm, the latter of which is set in motion by the depression of a key, but which is stopped by means of an index pin which is set up by the depression of the key. Thus the rotation of the typewheel is stopped by the same movement that sets it in motion. When the revolution of the wheel is stopped, it commences a descending motion. Attached to the typewheel is a sprocket-wheel, and a fixed blade enters this sprocket wheel as the latter approaches the printing point, and so secures certain alignment. The ribbon movement is very simple, but requires to be reversed by hand when the end is reached. This reversal is, however, effected by a touch. Alterations, corrections, interlineations, etc., can be readily made, the ribbon can be thrown out of gear in a moment, the types can be cleaned without trouble, and the type wheels quickly changed. Save only the question of noise, we think most highly of this little machine. Commercial Visible Typewriter. This machine was placed on the market in London, the makers being the Commercial Visible Typewriters Co. of New York, the plural indicating their intention of pro- ducing various machines all of which were to have the writing in sight. The instrument under notice was a typewheel machine, the wheel being practically similar to that of the Blickens- derfer. There were two shift-keys, and the inking arrange-