Blickensderfer Typewriter, 1893.

Presented by Miss M. Currey

This is a small and light portable machine of the type-wheel class which, next to the Hammond, attained the greatest popularity among the type-wheel and type-sleeve classes.

It was invented by G. C. Blickensderfer of Erie, Penn., in 1889, being put on the market in 1893. It was manufactured by the Blickensderfer Manufacturing Co., of Stamford, Conn. This is the first true ‘portable’.

The wheel spindle is set obliquely upwards, the type-wheel being in effect a short cylinder 1.4 in. diameter and 0.75 in. long. Depression of a key causes registration of the type-wheel followed by a strike down on to the platen. Early models had an ‘ideal’ keyboard, with double shift keys for capitals and figures, the most commonly used letters being arranged on the lowest row of keys. After 1910 it was also supplied with the ‘universal’ keyboard. The weight of the machine is 6.6 lb. The Blickensderfer was reintroduced in 1928 by the Remington Co.

TYPE-WHEEL MECHANISM (based on the Blickensderfer machine). Half of the keys rotate the type-wheel clockwise and half anti-clockwise. Depression of a key firstly rotates the type-wheel to the appropriate character and secondly moves the whole assembly downwards on to the platen.

Rees Electronics - 2140 Westwood Blvd, #224, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Tel: 310.475.0859
www.ReesElectronics.com