THE STORY OF THE TYPEWRITER 1873-1923 PUBLISHED IN COMMEMORATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INVENTION OF THE WRITING MACHINE BY THE Herkimer County Historical Society HERKIMER, NEW YORK 1923 CONTENTS PAGE Foreword, by the President of the Herkimer County Historical Society 7 Chapter I. Fifty Years Old 9 Chapter II. Early Efforts 17 Chapter III. The First Practical Typewriter 30 Chapter IV. Seeking a Market 63 Chapter V. Launched on the Commercial World 84 Chapter VI. High Spots in Typewriter Progress 99 Chapter VII. Widening the Field 115 Chapter VIII. How Women Achieved Economic Emancipation Through the Writing Machine 134 FOREWORD Local pride in achievement is not only pardonable, but, when that achievement marks a real contribution to human progress, it may even be laudable. It is with no apology, therefore, that the Herkimer County Historical Society presents to the public the story of the typewriter, which we of Herkimer County, New York, have seen unfold. Half a century ago, in the little Mohawk Valley village of Ilion, was begun the manufacture of a machine which, in that comparatively brief period, has revolutionized intercommunication, contributed mightily to the expansion of modern business, and, what is of even greater significance, has proved the chief factor in the economic emancipation of women. Realizing the importance of this service, the writer had the honor of suggesting to the Society and to the citizens of Herkimer County that its fiftieth anniversary be adequately observed. One step in this observance has taken the form of publishing this little volume. The data from which it was prepared has been gathered by the Society from a great variety of sources, including one man who has been identified with the history of the typewriter from its earliest days. It shows conclusively that Ilion will go down in history as the center from which, in the main, has flowed this great contribution to civilization's progress.