History of the Typewriter

—225— et Coré took out (in 1841) a patent for a Universal Com- positor which would replace all typographical material, and even the pen, and would also render unnecessary the study of shorthand. Foucauld came next in 1843-50, and we have already referred to and illustrated one of his instruments. The second machine was termed a Printing Keyboard, in which there were sixty type-bars arranged in four rows. ’ The bars held a downward motion to the paper, and the impression was effected through a sheet or slip of carbon paper. A special key was reserved for spacing purposes. M. I ape produced, his machine in 1844' using only twenty-four keys for the letters of the alphabet. The paper was carried on two rollers, and in order to see the writing, the keyboard was lifted, and not, as in machines of to-day,’ the carriage. Labrunie de Nerval, in 1844, also produced a “ Stéréo- graphe ” which consisted of two principal parts, the one being for setting the type into position, and the other being the portion required to receive the impression. The in- ventor provided a series of type-wheels, which were mounted side by side on a shaft, supported on slotted posts. These wheels were revolved by means of handles until the required letter was at the lowest point directly over the paper on the platen. A whole line would thus be set up, when pressure upon long side handles would bring the type (already inked by means of a handroller) into contact with the paper, and a turn of another handle would then move the paper up in readiness for a fresh line. Rohlfs and Schmidt, in 1847, produced a machine em- ploying a rotating prism, having the letters embossed thereon, and in this case the paper was forced to the type, as in the Hammond. The next French patent was issued to Mr. Francis, of ^ew York, in 1857. Particulars of this machine have I already been given, and need not be repeated here. Guillemot, a maker of “ instruments of precision ” (i-ß., mathematical instruments) took out a patent in 1859 for a machine which he described as a typewriter. In describing this patent, the inventor states that it is for “ a machine for corresponding or quoting, etc.” and it is made so that a person not able to write or suffering from infirmity, can use it by simple contact with the notes which print a certain number of letters, and thus record his thoughts.” He considered that his machine might be used to advantage