Omaha daily bee., 1896-06-19

that the linotype would eventually revolu.
tionize the type-settlng trade.
In December, 1893. n plant OF twelve limo
types was ordered by The Bee. They were
placed in a single row on the north side Of
the composing room and when the plant
was complete IL was cited as a model in
point Of arrangement and convenience. Con-
trary to the general practice OF newspapers
putting in the machines, The Bee did not
require the services of expert operators at
the beginning. Its operators were selected
from its regular staff of union printers and
so rapidly did they master the details OF
the new method that at no time was the
publication of the paper impeded.
For a long time after the Mergenthalers
were admitted to a place in The Bee office
the composing room was besieged by people
who were curious to examine the marvellous
invention. 1t was finally found necessary
to designate regular hours for the reception
of visitors in order not to interfere with
the work of the operators and even now
scarcely a day passes without applications
for admission. So nearly akin to human
Intelligence is the operation of the ma
chimes that to see them is a valuable eX-
pericnce.
OPERATION OF THE MERGENTHALER.
While the action of the linotype when
understood is simplicity itself, 1t is a
veritable marvel OF invention. The assem-
bling OF the matrices, the casting of the
molds and the redistribution of the matrices
after each line is set each involve the most
wonderful contrivances and so rapid and
perfect is the work that the observer can
scarcely believe that its operation is purely
mechanical. In fact human intelligence is
surpassed by this invention, for while a
typesetter may set the wrong letter or set
it upside down, the linotype never makes a
mistake. Its action is perfect and 1t never
spends a night out with the boys, to bull
up copy the next day.
The primary operation of the linotype Is
similar to that Of an ordinary typewriter:
The operator is seated before a bank OF
keys, and by touching any one of them the
corresponding matrix is released from the
magazine and drops down to the assembling
block, where 1t is retained until the entire
line is set. The key board contains ninety
characters, including upper and lower case
letters, figures, punctuation marks, etc.
Each Of these characters is borne on a thin
brass matrix, one vertical edge OF which
bears the matrix proper for forming the
letter, while the other is cut in a Y shape,
the angle of which is cut with teeth, by
which the matrix is grasped and handled
by the various meChanisms Of the machine.
The magazine containing the matrices con-
sists of a casing, supported in a vertical
position at the top of the machine. In these
the matrices lie loosely on edge, the bottom
of one touching the top of the one below
1t, SO that they slide down freely when re-
leased by the key. A pressure of the key
releases a single matriX, but in case of
double letters, expert operators can regulate
the pressure on the key so that both letters
will drop down with a single touch of the
finger. On leaving the magazine the matriX
drops down a vertical chute, the front of
which is covered by a glass door, to a fast
running belt, which so regulates the speed
of the matrices that those which are farth-
est from the assembling block reach it in
exactly the same time as those which are
- n 4, Cprsap,,nrtly thorn ror no M ans
position of letters, no matter how rapidly
the machine Is working. They are thus
delivered to the assembling block. where
they hang suspended by their Y-shaped
shoulders until their line Is completed. The
spacing is done by composite wedges, which
are secured, like the matrices, by a touch
on the keyboard. The spacing is a some
what remarkable feature, inasmuch as the
operator is ENABLED to Justify each line as
easily as though he was setting 1t at hand.
If he sees that the line is so nearly filled
that it will not hold another word or part
of a word, he simply presses on a lever at
his right and the space blocks are COM
pressed, the action of one wedge against
another crowding the words apart so that
they exactly fill the line.
CURIOUS AUTOMATIC DEVICES.
AS soon as the line is complete another
lever causes the matrices to be engaged by
a clamp, and the line is carried toea mold
wheel at the left, where 1T Is held until a
stereotyped cast of the line Is taken. The
stereotyping process is also automatic, and
requires no attention from the operator. |
1t only occupies an instant, after which the
cast of the line is pushed out and a huge
arm drops down, clasps the matrices
and delivers them to the distributor bar at
the top of the magazine.
The distribution of the matrices brings
into play the most remarkable feature of
the machine. Each matrix is carried to its
proper place. 1t is never dropped into the
wrong magazine. but is carried along until
It reaches a point exactly over the magazine
in which it belongs, when 1t releases its
hold and drops into its proper place to be
again released by the key and carried
result is obtained by simply nick
Ing the shoulders of the matrices on the
principle of a Yale lock. Each differs from
any other in this respect, and the distribut-
bar is so arranged that no matrix can be
released until it reaches a point where the
oar is fashioned to correspond with the
hicks on that particular matriX.
The most valuable feature of the machine
s that all these intricate contrivanCes are
entirely automatic. When the operator sets
line of matrices and pulls the lever which
'eleases them and sends them to the mould
ng wheel, he gives them no further at
..ention, but Immediately begins assembling
he matrices for the next line. SO the
several processes of setting the type, making
he cast and redistributing the matrices are
,arried on at the same time. the first only
'equiring any assistance from the operator.