Typewriter

The typewriter is a machine that prints characters one after the other on sheets of paper. The first recorded patent for a typewriter was issued by Queen Anne in January 1714 to an English Engineer Henry Mill. However, no drawing or model of the device exists. The 1st United States patent for a typewriter was issued in 1829 to William A.burt of Detroit, Michigan, for a "typographer". The letters on this table-size printer were set around a circular carriage, which was rotated by the hand - a very slow process.

The Jackson 1898 Model

The Blick 1980 Model

However, the invention of the modern commercial typewriter is credited to Christopher Latham Sholes, an American printer and editor, with the help of Carlos Glidden and Samuel W.Soule. With help from Glidden and Soule, Sholes designed a type-bar machine with a carriage that automatically moved one space to the left when a letter was printed, and keys that worked that worked with a "pianoforte" action---they all stuck the platen exactly the same point. Sholes built his working model in 1867 and patented the design in 1868. In 1873, The Remington Arms company (famous for their shotgun design) bought Sholes's patent for $12,000 and put the Remington Model 1 on the market in 1876.

Many improvements were soon made to the early Remington model.

• A shift-key mechamism was added in 1878 so lowercase as well as capital letters could be typed.
• American inventor John Williams developed the front stroke machine in 1890 so typing could be seen as it was being produced.
• In 1890, the 1st portable typewriter, the Blick, was available.
• In 1920s, electricity was added to the typewriter, for more uniform, effortless, and faster operation.
• Portable electric typewriters were introduced in 1956.
• IBM introduced 1st electric typerwriter with a memory in 1965.
• 1973, typewriters with correction tape appeared on the market.
• 1978, rotating print wheels were added.
• Portable electronic typewriters are available in 1980