The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-19
MECHANISM EXPLAINED.
LADY INQUIRIES AS TO WORKING
or THE MERGENTHALER-

Lucid Explanation Is Given Her and
All Others Interested in This Com
pick Piece of Machinery.
From the Pensacola Press.
Mr.. Edtor-If 1t does moi take up too
much space in your paper will you kindly
explain the mechanism of your Mergen-
thaler Linotype, and give a brief account
of the practical working of the machine?
1 was with a company of ladies at your Of
flee one afternoon 10 see the machine, but
came away, confess, as much mystied
about its operation, as previous TO my see
ing 1t. My husband maintains that the
machine is so complex, that 1t is impossi-
BILE for anybody. but the inventors OF the
linotype, to make the average human mind
comprehend the modus operandi las my
husband calls iD of this most wonderful
piece of mans artistic skill. If this be
true, and my request be a foolish ore, I
beg you will pardon me. Very respect
fulIv etc. Mrs. G.
Madam, your request Is not foolish
one. While as your husband truly re-
marks, the linotype is exceedingly COM
pick. and while 1t appears 80 difficult Of
comprehension it is possible for us to
make any one of average understanding,
fully comprehend the practical operation
of this marvel Of mans handiwork.
Hundreds have been to our office TO see
the Mergenthaler, and we believe all have
gone away, appearing to understand It's
workings, when, as a mater OF iact, the
last one we have no doubt, went Off as
completely mystifed as your excellent
husband, Consequently we are glad OF
an opportunity to enlighten rot only your
self madam, and your friends, but me
public generally, UPON a topic, that some
thoughtless persons have asserted, none
but the inventors are qualified to discuss.
Our critical examination for over fifteen
minutes, of the linotype, together win our
profound knowledge Of mechanics, we ne
lieve empowers us to speak ex cathedra
upon its mechanism. Accordingly, as
briefly as well as succinctly as possible,
we will proceed with our explanation;
In the first place we will state that the
Mergenthaler Linotype Is somewhat OF a
cross between an improved Mccormick
thrashing machine and steam sausage
mill. 1t is entirely automatic and is driv-
on by q dynamo of 800 ohms resistance,
capable under high pressure of making
twenty-four knots an hour, carrying forty
tons of Associated Press matter, together
with a full cargo of cable messages.
In its abdominal cavity there are, by
actual count, $4,000 capillary tubes, per-
meating every portion of It's Interior or
ganism, filed with an effervescent gas
eous substance, easily assimiiated, when
volattizes at abnormally nigh pressure,
and makes delinquent subscribers waltz
up to the captains office and settle up,
before you can tie your four-in-hand.
Just behind the dashboard there IL an
upright diaphragm with ninety-one stops,
with patent annunciator, which keeps ac-
curate tab on the local reporter, perpetu-
H.. FsaH ah.a
office is on to his racket very mudhly In
toto.
The operator, like any expert diver,
gets SO an hour, and sits before a double
geared switchboard somewhat like Rem
ington typewriter, and plays on II like he
would callope He Is enveloped In rub
Der armor and all portions OF his body Is
completely insulated, EXCEPT his head and
the soles Of his feet. The operators foot
rests on a pedal which has wire con-
nectlon with the main battery, and by
pressure he makes or breaks the circuit
as occasion requires. The switchboard Is
studded with pegs representing all the let
tiers Of the English alphabet, both capital
and small, the Arabic and Roman numer-
ais and such oft-repeated phrases as and
so-forth." "yours truly" here's luck"
''horse-on-you, two beers" and such
like familiar expressions.
In operating. the manipulation merely
presses down on one of these pegs, for
instance the letter B and instantaneously
the salvary gland Of the diaphragm,
coughs up that letter. and sets It vertically
on the rnatrix, with celebrity and accu-
racy no human hand can rival. The
matrix Is arranged 40 hold only one line,
equal In length to "A line in q column Of
the Pensacola Press, and Simultaneously
with the completion of the line, the tre-
molo stop of the battery, Announces the
fact 20 the operator, by a gentle electric
thrill through his nonJnsulated foor.
warning him TO break the circuit, by re-
moving his tanyards from the pedal.
And right here comes in the most mar
velous attachment Of the entire wonder