History of the Typewriter

—218— at 20, 40, 60, 70 (or any other numbers) and the carriage were at say 15, we should require to depress the key to bring the carriage to the first stop, 20, then again to bring it to 40, then again to bring it to 60, and finally to bring it to the last column, 75. But on the No. 10 Remington, by depressing the fourth tabulator key, the carriage, is brought to the position in which that stop is placed. In the No. 11 Remington (an otherwise identical machine in every respect) a decimal tabulator is fixed, which not only permits passing to any place desired, but enables one to stop at any space not exceeding ten before that fixed place. There is, however, a further merit about the Remington tabulator, since the rack on which the stops are fixed revolves, so that one may set no less than four sets of scales, and use one or the other without disturbing the rest. There is a back-space key. The value of this device, which now finds its way on to almost all machines, is very great. We think this one key alone is worth a con- siderable addition to the cost of any make of machine. We are not sure, but think it was first incorporated in the Hammond machine, then on the Densmore, from whence it spread. The carriage runs on roller bearings, and moves lightly and swiftly, without jerk or sideplay. Carriage release levers are fitted to either side of the machine. The paper guides slide easily, and adjust themselves according to the margin stops. The pointer, always at the writing point, requires no setting. The paper feed is regular and true, and grips the paper firmly so that one may write at the extreme top or bottom edge of the paper, and in perfect alignment. The platen can be re vol vedj_ backward or forward with ease. Following the now common custom, a two-colour ribbon can be used, either colour being brought into action by turning a small knob in front of the machine. The ribbon reverse is quite automatic, and the ribbons can be attached to the machine on the spools on which they come wound, a great convenience when it is necessary quickly to change a ribbon. Moreover, the spools are placed under the top plate, away from dust and dirt. The escapement of the machine is a new one. In place of two dogs working in and out of a rack, there is now a single dog mounted upon the upright arm of the rocker (as explained in an earlier chapter) which engages in the teeth of two escapement wheels and so prevents their revolving save as motion is communicated to them by