History of the Typewriter

—207- fully strong and substantial, although light in weight. All type are aligned before the type-bar is put into the machine, so that in replacing or changing the size or style of type, the entire bar is replaced, thus insuring uniform impression and alignment. The type-bar bearing is likewise a new idea applied to an old and well-known principle. To say it is frictionless would be to state an absurdity, for the elimination of friction is unknown to mechanics, but it is so constructed as to reduce the friction to as low a point as is consistent with durability. The bearing measures three-quarters of an inch, and the type-bar hanger is ground and lapped. The machine has a back-space-key, which will be highly appreciated by operators for making corrections in regular correspondence and in billing work. The mechanism is exceedingly simple, and is always out of touch with the working of the machine, except when actually in use. Therefore, there is no friction or complication, and absolutely nothing to get out of order. The Secor ribbon movement presents another new idea. The ribbon never moves save when the key levers are depressed, since the space-bar operates independently of the ribbon universal bar. Running the carriage from one side to the other of the machine does not affect the ribbon, which remains perfectly stationary. When the ribbon does move, it moves exactly the width of the type face, so that the type do not strike the ribbon twice in the same place. It automatically reverses itself by a very simple patented device. By the raising of a lever the ribbon may be thrown below the printing point, and the type will strike the printing surface free, as in cutting stencils, etc. By touching a key on the keyboard, two- colour work may be had. Perhaps the most unique thing about the ribbon movement is the fact that the ribbon always moves exactly the same distance, whether one spool is practically empty or not. Every Secor machine has, as a part of its make-up, a decimal tabulator with a capacity of fourteen figures, or eleven figures, two commas and a period. The tabulator is so simple, so accessible and withal so accurate that, were there no other superior features about the machine, every user of a typewriter would choose it in preference to all others. As many columns may be made as the sheet will hold. It is operated with one key, but the carriage stops exactly where the first figure is to be struck, whether it is 100,000,000 or .01. When the carriage stops