History of the Typewriter

—300— are quite limited in number. The code is arranged generally with a view to burdening the memory as little as possible. Expressions for words having the same root vary only as to termination. For instance, “ receive ” is coded re, naturally then, “ receiving ” is reg ; “ received ” is red and “ reception ” is rcn. Thus also, starting with oj for “ object,” we have ojd, ojg, ojn, ojv, ojl, for “ object-ed, ing, -ion, -ive, -ionable.” Nearly every letter in the alphabet is employed singly as a code expression ; thus, / for “ of the,” g for “ from the,” j for “ by which,” etc. The figure 4 means “ where ; ” 5 “ that the ” ; 7 “ that is ” and so on. The Telescriptor. The telescriptor was invented about 1896 by M. Hoffman, and is composed in principle of a typewriter furnished with electric contacts under each key, so that instantaneous currents can be sent into a line when each is depressed. These currents actuate a polarized electro-magnet which, in its turn, controls the escapement of a clockwork arrangement. On the axis of this clockwork are a brush that sweeps over a fixed current-distributor with twenty-eight contacts and a type- wheel. The latter is a disc on whose circumference are engraved in relief the letters of the alphabet, the digits, and various signs. It has, in all, fifty-six divisions, of which four are for letter-spaces and four for figure-spaces. A little paper band, for receiving the impression, passes in front of the type-wheel, on a movable drum, which is placed at the end of an oscillating lever under control of a special electromagnet. We cannot do more here than give the general principle of the machine and indicate its applications. The telescriptor can in the first place act like a simple type- writer. Suppose two subscribers who have each a tele- scriptor. The calling-operator first presses down the two levers at the left above the keyboard of the machine ; the other operator presses down only the first of the two levers. The two machines begin to work at once by the aid of the intermittent currents sent over the lines, and the clock movements start. The operator touches the keys exactly as if he were writing on a typewriter, and at the same time a series of letters forming words are impressed on the strips of paper that unroll both under his own eyes and under those of the receiver of the message. In the telescriptor the same letter cannot be printed over itself ; a single letter is printed at each impression. Besides,