History of the Typewriter

—164 — We referred just now to the “ depression ” of keys. Properly speaking the keys are not depressed, at any rate in the usual sense of the word. They are just tilted, ever so slightly, not more than one-eighth or one-tenth of an inch. Directly this distance is covered, a slight and al- most imperceptible “ click ” is heard, and behold, the letter is printed. The click is the sign of the breaking of the contact which the clutch before mentioned has made, and in a flash, the result is made upon the paper. Now, when the key is tilted, the impression is made automatically. The lightest and most fairy-like touch will produce just the same quality of impression as would a sledge hammer. It is waste of energy to strike hard. The operator does not, in fact, strike at all, but merely indicates by a touch the character wanted, and it is printed. Light touch, thereiore, does its work. The machine always exerts an even touch, and the impression is regular. One letter is not faint and the next blurred. The writing is as even as though from a printing press. If, for the purpose of making a number of carbon copies, it is thought a heavier blow is required, the machine, by the movement of a lever, will throw on that extra power. The machine does it. The operator indicates what he wants the machine to do, and the machine does it ! Up to fifteen or more carbons can be turned out at one operation, and no more effort is required on the part of the operator than if one copy only were wanted. Then there are two keys on the right of the keyboard, marked “ R ” and “ L ” respectively. Touch the one marked “ L ”, and the carriage returns automatically to the commencement of a new line, shifting the paper as it does so. Touch the “ R ” key, and the carriage travels slowly to the right, enabling any margin to be made. Work the two fingers alternately ’on these keys, and the carriage sways to and fro like a thing possessed, but always under the most perfect control. The practical effect of this is that the writing proceeds from the “ Dear Sir ” to the “ Yours truly,” without raising the hand from the key- board. If the machine under notice contained no further novelty than these two keys, the makers would be fully justified in placing it on the market, on its own merits, in competition with all others. Then the carriages are interchangeable. Lift a catch and the foolscap carriage will slide off, and a brief one put on. • Same machine in all cases, but with a power of carrying any carriage, whatever its length. We understand the