University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1908-11-09
$4,000 BLIND
PEOPLE READ


OF the 10000 sightless persons il
America about $4,000 are able to reat
blind printing. The fact that they ar,
blind lessons in most instances theil
earning capacity, and inasmuch as tn,
making of reading matter for them is a
costly operation it is practically impos
sible without aid from wealthy people
to supply them with literature.
The Oldest newspaper for the blind is
published at College View. Neb. 1t is
called the Christian Record and was
founded at Battle Creek. Mich. in 1900
by 4. o. Wilson and his wife. who are
both blind.
Wilson did the editing. his wife the
printing and binding. Wilson has since
engaged in other business. but his wife
is still the composing room force. -Four
years ago the plant was moved to Ne
braska.
1t began with a circulation of loo
copies. Today 1000 copies are printed
each month. and there are 5000 names
on the waiting list. These persons would
like to subscribe and are willing to pay
the subscription price but the pub
Usher is in the position of losing more
money the more subscribers he gets.
One sheet OF paper can carry but one
page of reading matter, since the mat
ter printed is read from the opposite
side from that upon which the printing
is done. When the magazine or book
is bound it must be padded at the back
to allow for the raised or embossed
printing.
Blind printing has been in the pro-
cess of evolution since 1854. but only
within the last ten years has invention
made it possible to place the results.
either in book or magazine form, at a
price that many of the blind could af-
ford. \ number OF printing establish
ments exist in the United States, the
largest being that of the Matilda Zeig-
Ter Magazine in New York City. which
has the largest circulation of any
printed. This is made possible by the
fact that Mrs. Zeigler pays the excess
OF cost above the selling price. about
$4,000 year.
In most establishments the work is
done by blind people. The editor writes
his copy with a little machine built on
the principle of the typewriter. but SO
small that it can be held on one knee.
which embosses the letters. This copy
is turned over to the compositor and the
writing is reproduced on machine
similar to the one used by the editor
except that it is larger, about the size
Of sewing machine. and it makes the
impression on thin copper plates. \ foot
lever is used to force the points into the
metal plates. In some of the small
shops the impression is made by a tap
on an awllike piece of steel
When the metal sheets are finished
the compositor or the editor does the
If an error is detected it
is necessary to smooth down the surface
at that point. or if that is impossible
The plate must be made over again. The
difficulties involved make
changes from copy very inirequent.
The metal plates are next put in the
printing press on rollers. These rest
against other rollers holding rubber
mats. The paper runs between. and at
ZACH revolution the copper plates force
heir impression through the paper.
turning out printed pages.
In the papers and magazines printed
or the blind very little fiction is found.
some short stories appear, but seldom
my serial. While most of the papers |
lave a religious tinge. they aim to give
of current events.
The College View publication has a
vide range OF circulation. Nevada is |
he only state not represented on its |
subscription list, and copies go to Can
da, England. Australia and Mexico.