The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-16
THE WRITING MACHINE.

We have enjoyed the pleasure Of seeing ia IN,
city, on Saturday last, the writing machine invented
by Mr.. Charles Thurber, Of Norwich, Connection
It's ingenuity equals, II it does not surpas, our most
sanguine antiepatons. The Norwich "coursr-
supersedes the necessity Of any attempt on our part
to give any account Of the machine, by the follow
ing description which il has made OF IT,
The name Of the machine 10 'Thurber's Patent
Mechanical Chirographer.' The machinery s Al.
most entirely enclosed in a handsome mahogany
case, resembling the case Of piano forte. A per-
pendicusr platen, sliding with the paper as each
letter 10 made IN seen in the rear OF the case hold
ing up the paper so tina, the operator can see the s
tiers as they are successfully formed on the pager
and detect any error that may occur. In front sr,
ivory keys, one for each letter and character ~h,eA
may be required IN writing. In front Of the paper
protruding through the top Of the case, is fouo
tain pen, Of original construction, which, AZ YOU
press upon key, forms the letter or character 90
the sheet.
"The operator takes his seat at the machine, and
simply presses upon the key corresponding 70 Il.
letter character which he wishes TO use, and lhs
writing is effected. When tho platen has moved
through the width Of the paper, you touch an ivory
knob in front, just slide the platen back and nes
line is brought up to the penthe latter operation
consuming not more time than is required TO replsn
ish pen with ink by hand. This machine was de-
signed more particularly Jov the tiisd and those Who
affection Of the hand; but its utility viii not end
here.
at is confidently anticipated that il viii be useful
in keeping records, where great lesibiity and me
chanical accuracy are desirable BY enlarxins he
platen to afford room for two or more sheeu Of
paper, and multiplying the number Of pens 10 equal
the number of sheets, you can multiply your copies
- a : A =
physical effort IL you wish to keep copies OF your
correspondence, this will afford a very expeditions
mode Of doing it, as it requires additional labor
or time to do IT,
"This machine is entirely different from the one
formerly invented by Mr.. Thurber, the chirognphy
in this being done with pen, while in the old pm.
ter, il was done with types. BY this machine, 4
person "a able to write with much greater rapidly
than he can print with that A patent has been
granted for this invention in the United States, and
measures already in progress TO secure patent
both in England, France, and in other European
states"
The most singular part of this machine, Is the
dexterity with which single pen, terminating in I,
blunt and hollow point through which the ink
flows, can, by means Of the machinery with which
il is connected, make the stragh, lines or circular
forms of the various letters, by means Of its own
straight lines or circular movements. The rapidty
and accuracy with which it makes these motions
upon the paper, are astonishing. We understand
that Mr. T. is about to introduce some Improvement
upon his machine. At present, the hand seizss hold
of the handle'to each key, which, by moving few
inches downwards, gives motion to the machinery.
But he is now devising machine, which has keys
like those of the piano forte, and ia to be oonrve
that by simply pressing the key, gives quick motion
to the machine, and writes with much more rapidly
This machine in evidence Of genius sufficient to &C.
complish the improvement. @