History of the Typewriter

—248— the index is fixed, the cylinder pinion rack and pointer handle all sliding together up and down on the index frame, so that any one of the one hundred characters can be brought to the printing point by simply moving the pointer in the most direct course to the corresponding character on the index. In this instrument the paper carriage moves and the printing mechanism remains in one position over the paper, only having a slight movement up and down to make the impression. The inking is done by a felt cylinder saturated with ink rolling in contact with type on type cylinder. The paper is held by two small rollers geared together. The platen is a flat metal surface just above and back of rollers. Edland. In this machine, which was made by the Liberty Manufacturing Co., of New York, the types were cast in metal and attached to the periphery of a revolving wheel (which was easily interchanged) so that on the turning of a handle the selected letter was brought opposite the printing point. Pressure on the handle also tilted the wheel, so that the type was brought in contact with the paper. A bell denoted the approach of the end of the line. The inking was by means of rollers, and the repertoire of the Edland was seventy-eight characters. Eureka. This machine (which appears to be also sold under the names of the Practical and the Simplex), is made in several sizes, selling from 5/6 to 25/. It is more in the nature of a scientific toy than a typewriter, but it can do fairly decent work. A revolving disc is mounted, having a series of notches at the edge, under which the types are placed. The disc is twirled by means of a knob, and when the selected letter is over the printing point, it is pressed down to the paper, which is gripped between two rollers in the higher priced machines, or metal strips in the cheaper ones. The Eggis Type and Cipher-writer. This was an index machine launched in London a few years ago. The types were formed on the rim of a large circular plate which was revolved by means of a central pivot. Inking was effected by a ribbon. The “ Cipher ” part of the machine simply consisted of varying the position of the plate. The machine was made to sell at eight guineas but proved to be a commercial failure. A few examples may be found occasionally and are worth buying—if 'very cheap (say a few shillings)—as curiosities. The Gynee, The name of this machine appears to be another way of spelling guinea, at which price it