History of the Typewriter

—278— money “ for the purpose of completing the improved model now in course of construction.” As that is now many years ago, and the machine has not (as far as our knowledge goes) yet appeared, it is safe to assume that it “ is not yet on the market.” The Kent typewriter is supposed to be Fig. 202. operated by electricity, the operator merely “touches the button ” (whatever that may be), “ and electricity does the rest.” It is, in a manner, a type-wheel machine, the types being arranged around the large wheel on top of the machine. In their prospectus the Company says : “ The time will surely come when this machine will be used on every railroad and telegraph line in the world.” The machine, it will be noticed, presents one or two singular features, not the least curious of which is, that the types are engraved on the edge of the large wheel, which revolves between the letters, and travels from left to right as the line is gradually filled up. No information is afforded as to how the wheel is to be returned at the end of the line. The Kent, from a casual glance, might almost be taken for a patent knife cleaner, or some other article of household use, and the name of Kent, so well known to Londoners, will aid in the delusion. Kidder, Wellington P. Inventor of the Franklin and Empire (or Wellington) machines, which see. The Lambert. The Lambert typewriter is an American invention which took seventeen years to perfect. It prints all the letters, figures, points and symbols, by moving one part with comparative slowness, flic parts are all interchangeable. In the Lambcit it is possible .to change from one sign or type to another, from one