History of the Typewriter

—244— The machines using type-slips include several which have attained a considerable amount of popularity. More particularly is this the case with the Odell, the Globe, and the World machines. In each case the types are cast in one piece, and are mounted on the edge of a movable bar, either straight, as in the Odell and Sun, or forming the arc of a circle, as in the Globe and World. In the former case, the types are moved along bodily ; in the latter, the arc ends in a long handle, so that a rude resemblance to a fan is made. This being pivoted near the middle, the movement of the handle over the index plate causes the types to perform a corresponding and simultaneous movement; but, of course, in a reverse direction. The depression of the printing key then causes the impression to be made. In each case the inking is effected by means of small ink rollers, which can be kept supplied by a few drops of the ink used for india rubber stamps. All the machines using type plates died young, with the exception of one. The one was, singularly enough, the first one of the class that was launched, viz., the Hall, which has, however, now joined its companions. The principle upon which the type-plate machines operated may be stated thus: The types are cast on a small plate of rubber, about two inches square. This plate is mounted on a metal shield by means of two small screws, and may, therefore, be removed for cleaning or to change the style of type. The shield is capable of being moved backwards or forwards in any desired direction, by means of an ingenious arrangement of metal slips. The pad rests face downward on an inking surface in the centre of which is a small hole. On top of the machine is an index plate, and a pointer is pressed into an opening corresponding with the letter desired. As this pointer is attached to the type-plate shield, the latter carries the type with it in such a way that, when the pointer is over the letter desired, the letter is over the hole in the inking surface, and ready to drop down on to the paper below. Pressure then causes the apparatus carrying the inking surface, type, index, etc. to fall, and, the projecting type striking through the hole, leaves its mark on the paper. The paper does not move, but the type moves along across the surface of the paper. The American $5 Machine. This instrument was placed on the market in America a few years ago. It found its way into this country under patronage of the Globe