History of the Typewriter

—222— claim of the Yost, therefore, to be “ the typewriter of beautiful work ” is well substantiated. On the subject of the visibility of writing, the catalogue, no doubt with a thought of the arguments of former days, says “ Possibly the experienced operator, possessing complete mastery over the keyboard, will not consider the question of visible writing to be of great importance. But it is obvious that the beginner will be assisted by this feature, while in respect to complicated figure work, the drafting of specifications, etc., even the expert will find it of value.” The column finder is built in the machine, and is not an extra. As in the case of the Remington and Smith-Premier, the depression of a key causes the carriage, to run direct to the desired column, without passing along in a succession of spasmodic jumps. Metins are provided to prevent jar or undue strain on the carriage as it passes along to reach any desired column. The centre guide, one of the original claims of the machine, is retained. This device not only aids in securing true alignment, but it effectually prevents misprints when two keys are accidentally struck together. The pad containing the ink is held in its place by a couple of screws and can be readily removed. It contains a vast supply of colour, and being covered by the types when at rest is protected from dust. The shift key is in duplicate, the depression of one being sufficient to lock the shift for all capitals, and this can be released by touching the other shiit key. As at present sold, the 15 Yost (or Model “A ” Yost) is not fitted with the back spacer This seems to us to be unfortunate, but possibly there may be good reasons in the minds of thejnakers for not adopting a device which, as all experience goes, is so useful.* This is, however, partially compensated for by the ease and comfort of writing on the machine. The peculiar movement of the type bar, which gradually rises from the pad. and straightens out, as it were, to the printing point, involves none of the eye-strain previously mentioned. The escapement is swift, the carriage is rigid and travels very lightly, and all the minor points, i.e., paper guides, carriage release, feed roll release, margin stops, etc., are all up to date in every respect. * We understand that in later machines this key is being fitted, and the Fox Typewriter has now followed suit.