Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-04-18
THE WRITING MACHINE.

we have enjoyed the pleasure of seeing in
this city, on Saturday last, the writing machine
invented by Mr.. Charles Thurber, of Norwich.
Connecticut. Its ingenuity equals, if il does
not surpass, our most sanguine authorizations.
The Norwich " Courier" supercedes the neces.
sIty OF hny attempt on our part to give any &C
count Of the machine, by the following descrip-
ton which it has made OF it
" The name of the machine 10 Thurber's
Patent Mechanical Chirogra pher.' The ma.
chlGery IS almost entirely enclosed in hand
some mahogany case, resembling the case Of
piano forte. A perpendicular pIa,en, sliding
with the paper as each letter is made, is seen
n the rear Of the case, holding up the paper so
that the operator can sec the letter, as they
are successfully formed on the paper, and de-
tect any error that may occur. In front are
ivory keys, one for each letter and character
which may be required in writing. In from, Of
The paper, protruding through the top Of the
case is fountain pen, of original construction,
which, as you press upon key, forms the let,
ter or character on the sheet
" The operator takes his seat at the machine,
and simply presses upon the key co,respon>
ding to the letter or character which he wishes
to use, and the writing is effected. When the
pla!en has moved through the width Of the pa
per, you touch an ivory knob in front, Just
slide the platen back, and new line is brought
up TO the pen the latter operation consuming
not more time than is required TO replenish a
pen with ink by hand. This machine was de-
signed more particularly for the blind, and
those who cannot use pen by reason of ner
vousness or other affection of the hand bu, its
utility will not end here
i" 1t is confidently anticipated tina, il will be
useful IN keeping records, where great leglbil
ny and mechanical accuracy are desirable
by eniarging the platen so as 10 afford room
for two or more sheets o! paper, and multiply
ing the number Of pens to equal the number Of
sheets, you can multiply your copies ad lib
,tum, without any additional machinery or
physical effort. fyou wish to keep copies OF
your correspondence, this will afford very
expeditions mode Of doing it, as it requires no
additional labor or time to do il.
IS This machine is entirely different from
the one formerly invented by Mr.. Thurber,
The chirography in this being done with pen,
while in the old printer, 1t was done with
types. BY this machine, person is able TO
write with much greater rapldlty than he can
print with that. A patent has been granted
for this invention in the United States, and
measures are already in progress to secure a
patent both in England, France, and other Eu~
ropean states"
The mos, singular part OF this machine, is
the dexterity with which single pen, ter.
minating in blunt and hollow point, .hro'
which the Ink flows, can, by means Of the
machinery with which il is connected, make
the straight lines or circular forms OF the
various letters, BY means OF its own straight
lines or circular movements. The rapidity
and accuracy with which it makes these
motions upon the paper, are astonishing.
We understand that Mr.. T. is about to IN.
,robuce some Improvement upon his ma
chine. At present, the hand seizes hold Of
the handle to each key, which, by moving =
lew inches downwaids, gives motion 10 the
machine. But he is now devisng ma
chine, which has keys like those OF the pi.
ano torte, and is to be SO contrIved tina, by
simply pressing the key, gives quick motion
to the machine, and writes with much more
rapidity. This machine is evidence OF ge
MUS sufficient to accomplish the improve
ment.