History of the Typewriter

The Imperial Typewriter. This machine is the latest addition to the long list of claimants for public favour. It is an English-made type- writer, being the invention of Mr. Hidalgo Moya, whose earlier production is referred to on page 158. As will be observed from the illustration, the Imperial is a machine of the downstroke variety, and its proper place would be immediately after the Franklin, which it closely resembles in appearance. The keyboard is arranged after the universal order, and works with two shift keys. It will be observed, however, that it is curved in form, and machines of this form of keyboard have not, hitherto, had a prolonged career. The Salter, which started with a curved keyboard, had to alter the shape, as did the first Williams. Another point to which attention should be drawn is the position of the ribbon spools. In prior machines of this class, the spools have been set down in the well of the machine. In the present case, they are set at the sides, so that, in passing from one spool to the other, a very considerable area of ribbon is exposed. Many machines make a special point of the ribbon being entirely protected. It will be observed that a bi-colour ribbon may be used. Perhaps the most important feature of the Imperial is the form of type-bar, which connects directly with the lever, a feature which was used in the English and the Franklin. In the case of the Imperial, however, the con- nection is arranged differently, and the use of the spring to return the type-bar to rest is an addition which was sadly lacking in those machines. Quoting from the cata- logue “ In the action of the key lever and type-bar it will be noted that one end of the spring is attached to the bar and the other end to the lever, and that it has a bodily movement, independent of its action as a spring. That is to say, both ends of the spring are attached to parts moving in the same direction. As one of these parts moves faster than the other the spring receives sufficient tension to return the parts it controls to their normal position. This not only allows the use of the solid push movement, but of a strong and durable spring. The advantage of the “ contact ” system is also well shown in the action of the foot of the key lever on the universal escapement plate —the plate which causes all the levers to actuate the carriage. This action is similar to that of the operator’s finger on the space-bar. The type and keyboard are shifted for