The times., 1899-06-11
A Machine That Took the Busi-
ness World by Storm.
Curious Models of Early Devices in
the Patent Office.
Some Unique Appliances Not in Gem
eraI Use-FaU in Prices
Predicted.

machine commonly called the typewriter
stands side by side in Importance with
the perfection of methods in printing, the
invention of improved methods of harness.
ing electricity. and the conception of those
important mechanical appliances which
have proven OF immense value to the world
at large.
The use of the typewriter is becoming
more and more general. Business men and
many others who have correspondence or
writing OF whatever character are coming
to see the necessity and convenience of
the machine. In all business Offices the use
of the typewriter has become general.
Clergymen in writing their sermons are
fast getting into the habit of composing
and printing them with the machine. The
modern author, instead OF using goose
quill pen. or even more modern writing
appliances, now sits down 10 the machine
and puts his burning thoughts into cold
print.
In newspaper Offices typewriters are pro-
vided for the use of the reporters. In in
stances where the reporter hurries into
the Office shortly before the paper goes to
press with an important piece of news 1t
would be impossible 10 get the information
into the paper were ii not for the repor-
ters ability TO use the machine with great
speed. Editors OF newspapers are fast rec
ognizing the value Of typewriter copy,
and do all they can 10 encourage the use
of the machine by members of the staff.
The time is not far distant when 10 be
a newspaper reporter one will be required
to demonstrate his or her ability to op-
crate the type-writing machine.
BY the use of the typewriter, everything
written becomes clear and legible, mis-
takes due to inability 10 read manuscript
are avoided and a general appearance of
neatness prevails which was difficult to
methods were in vogue
Neainess and legibility are not the
principal reasons for the widespread use
of the typewriter, however. Speed is the
all important factor which has, more than
anything else. been responsible for the
growth in the popularity of the machine
The work is performed at rate which
would have been declared impossible be-
fore. and indeed, for a long time after, the
introduction of mechanical means of writ
ing In producing manuscript, fully one
half the time is saved by the ordinarily
skillful operator So far has the fashion
extended on the business world in regard
to the printing Of a letter on the typewrit-
er that 1t is considered unbusiness-like to
send an epistle written in longhand.
The typewriter began to make its sp-
eral of the machines were on exhibition at
the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia
and from that time on their sale became
active. Within the past year the increase
in the sales of the various manufacturers
has been phenomenal. One of the leading
makers reports an increase of 100
per cent fer the month of
May over the corresponding period OF 1898
Other manufacturers report the same con-
dition of business. Many are working
overtime and are still behind in filling
their orders. 4 number of well-known
local typewriter agents say that the in
crease in the number of machines sold in
dicates that business men and others are
recognizing their worth and that from
present indications the use Of the machine
will become much more general than 1t /:
now. The rapid growth of the demand fol
typewriters may be compared TO the sud
den and extensive popularity of the bicy-
Gle.
The comparison between the typewriter
and bicycle may be further drawn. WheI
the bicycle was Invented il was an ex-
ceedingly crude affair. with no means o
propulsion, no ball bearings, and without
the scientific construction which ensure:
strength, at The same time eliminating
cIumsiness and weight. In the first type
writing machines faults equally as objec-
OF the first typewriting machines is ac'
credited TO an Englishman named Hall
who is said TO have perfected, more thar
a century ago. an apparatus which wou!t
print legibiy. but which proved impracti
cable on account of the intricacy Of it
mecla nism and the slowness OF its op
Grafton.
model of the first manehine invented
by an American is in the collection a
the Patent Office. The invention was pat
euted July %, 1929. The patent was is
sued TO N A Burt. The machine look
more like music box than typewriter
The framework consists of a large oakel
box. fully two feet in length, eighties
inches wide, and about fifteen inches i
depth Extending part way across the to
of the box is a lever. which it fitted a
one end to a solid rubber cylinder, on III
surface of which are placed the type.
The other end Of the lever 10 which
affixed a small handle is filled with sma
conicsl metal protector, which hts int
holes arranged in a strip OF metal in IN
form of an arc. Opposite each hole is
character and by placing the metal pro
lection on the end OF the lever which
adjusted so that il turns the length OF th
keyboard, into oIe Of the holes, the chaI
aeter for which the hole stands Will
reproduced on the paper, which is held
position on cylinder inside the case. IN
inventor Of the machine employed th
principles which are used in the moder
typewriter Instead of having lever fc
each letter. however, the inventor mad
one do for all The result was a meehan
ism, which, while il would print plainly
would not perform the work rapid!
enough. The machine was never put o
the market.
In the same case, next 10 the Burt mode
stand two models Of writing machines, q
they are called. invented by a man name
c. Thurber. One was patented in 1913 an
the other in 1915. Both models look lii
anything but the modern typewriter. Or
resembles a miniature threshing machir
more than anything else. and the oth'
looks very much like an old-fashione
marine engine. In the operation OF bot
machines the principles employed by Bur
the first inventor, are further develope
The model OF writing machine inventC
by ]. B. Fairbanks and patented Septen
Der. 1850. is In the Patent Office collection
In 1853 a machine invented by job
Jones was patented. In appearance il n
sembles the saw-tooth top piece which fo
merly surmounted the smokestack of
locomotive on a backwOods railroad. Tn
saw-tooth machine is fitted out with
lever which can be adjusted to each spa
between the teeth. Each space represen
a letter. and by pressing the lever into
space the letter for which it stands
printed on the paper. which is held
position on a cylinder. None Of these Il
veniions proved 10 be OF commercial us
and previous TO 1876 when the RemingtI
typewriter was perfected, but few we
manufactured.
II is estimated that since the busine
actively commenced in 1876. more than
VF1.s