History of the Typewriter

— 80 — Fig. 63 into popular favour means were adopted by the use of what was termed “ sharp-faced type,” to secure the finest class of work. It should be pointed out, that where a machine prints direct without the intervention of a ribbon, a flatter surface is required in order to secure evenness of inking, as well as to avoid cutting the paper. This sharpness exists on all ribbon machines, because its effect is lost when it comes to strike through the ribbon- fabric. The sharp-faced type, therefore, was specially suited to ordinary work in addition to mimeography. After continuing in popular favour for many years, the No. 4 Yost gave way, in the autumn of 1902, to a highly improved model called the No. 10. In this machine, the peculiar features which had distinguished the Yost from its competitors were retained. Additional facilities were provided for the insertion and removal of the ink-pad, and the keyboard was enlarged by nine characters, thus permitting of the minor fractions and various other commercial or literary signs being provided. The carriage was made removable by the mere act of depressing a couple of plungers, when it came off bodily in the hands. The centre-guide was improved in shape and design, a special marginal release key provided, and an entirely new plan of margin stops, by means of collars sliding over a rack-bar incorporated. Moreover, the margins which had always been a slight source of worry, owing to the tendency of the carriage to rebound when sent back sharply from the end of a line to commence the next line, were now made absolutely perfect, and no trouble whatever arose from this score. The key-tops