History of the Typewriter

— 21 — edge projecting outward. On this rim are marked or stamped the letters and all characters which are on the type attached to the horizontal wheel, a letter or character being opposite each groove or niches in the rack. An index is attached to the horizontal wheel, and so adjusted that when the end of the index is placed over a groove or niche in the rack, and the horizontal wheel depressed by means of the lever above mentioned, a type will be pressed upon the surface of the paper upon the cylinder, said type printing a letter corresponding to that marked on the rim opposite to the niche in which the index is pressed. By thus turning the horizontal wheel and depressing it, any desired letter may be printed on the paper. Every time the horizontal wheel is depressed the cylinder is moved forward before the type reaches the cylinder, and thus, a sufficient space is left between the letters. There is also a roller placed in the end of a lever and operating in such a manner that types of different sizes will be correctly spaced. The printing on the paper is formed lengthwise of the cylinder, and hence the motion of the cylinder in the direction of its axis and the rotating motion of the cylinder are for the purpose of changing or shifting the cylinder, so that the required space is left between the different lines, the cylinder being rotated the requisite distance, as it passes back after having been forced out the requisite distance and a line printed. The circular rack or guide for the index, with the letters attached, the horizontal wheel with the type placed on its periphery, in combination with the roller and levers or other equivalent device for spacing different-sized letters properly, and the cylinder having a motion in the direction of its axis, and also a rotating motion given it by the devices shown, or their equivalents, constitute the invention. 1854 saw a machine patented by Mr. Thomas, in America. One could make such a machine with very few more materials than a knife-tray, and a couple of rolling pins. The illustration shows the machine. T in the upper figure is a typewheel, the three rows of open dots being the types. P denotes an aligning pin, by the aid of which the rolling pin is kept in position. A A in the lower illus- tration is a box, having open ends, and in the side of which grooves are cut, in order to carry the sliding frame F. There is a platen, or cylinder, C, to carry the paper, and the rowlock shaped opening. B, is what we might call the typebar lock of to-day. The paper is wound around the cylinder, C, which is revolved by means of the handle, H,