History of the Typewriter

—"42 — however, came of the suggestion, but when the paragraph quoted was brought to his attention, Sholes considered the matter, and came to the conclusion that the idea was practicable. Glidden,, the name of the friend who had brought the article before Sholes, discussed the matter at length with him, and the two of them went to see a third individual, named Soulé. One can very well imagine the interest with which the three talked over the matter, how the pros were weighed with the cons., and a hundred and one questions discussed. Eventually the three joined hands, and, entering into a partnership, set out to invent the type- writer. How far they had knowledge of all that has been detailed in this chapter, or indeed whether they were familiar with anything of the previous efforts in the same direction, one can hardly say. Glidden found the money, Sholes invented the spacing mechanism, and the idea of converging typebars was suggested by Soulé, and agreed upon without any discussion. Other minor details of the first machine were also suggested by him. It will now be interesting to quote the tale, as it gradu- ally proceeded, from an old catalogue issued by the Remington Company, many years back. In this catalogue it is stated : — “ They began work at once, and by the next September the first machine was finished, and letters were written with it. It worked successfully so far as to write rapidly and correctly, but trial and experience showed it to be far short of an acceptable, practicable writing machine. But letters were written with it, and sent to acquaintances and friends, and among others, one was sent to Mr. James Densmore, then of Meadville, Pa. Mr. Densmore was so impressed by it that by return mail he asked to become interested in the enterprise. Mr. Sholes replied that two others were already connected with it, but that he had consulted them, and was authorised to offer an undivided one-quarter interest in it for the payment of all expenses up to date. Again by return mail Mr. Densmore wrote that he would accept the pro- position, and asked that the bill of the expenses be sent him. Thus Mr. Densmore bought a quarter interest in it without ever having seen the machine or knowing the price : certainly an evidence of faith and enthusiasm. Mr. Densmore did not see the machine till March, 1868, and then he pronounced it as a machine good for nothing except to show that the idea was feasible. He pointed out defects which needed to be remedied before the machine could be