This is an early Chicago typewriter, showing the patent dates on the front shield. Collectors refer to this model as the “decorated model.”The Chicago typewriter does not use typebars. Instead,…

  A short video of the Caligraph 2 working.The Caligraph 2 was the first typewriter produced with a double keyboard. Without a shift key, it featured separate black keys for uppercase…

  The Blickensderfer 6 typewriter is an early example of lightweight aluminum used in manufacturing. It was truly a portable typewriter and enjoyed great success in its time.This typewriter originally sold…

  Compact, effective, and affordable at $40, the Blickensderfer 5 became the first portable keyboard typewriter and went on to achieve great success. It was affectionately nicknamed the “five-pound secretary.”Unlike conventional…

  The stunning Bar-Lock 4 is distinguished by its prominent Baroque-style pressed copper shield, positioned in front of the vertical typebars.Invented by typewriter pioneer Charles Spiro, who apprenticed in his father’s New…

  ‘The Amazing Automatic’ - An illustrated articleThe Automatic typewriter is an exquisitely crafted machine, made predominantly of brass, with the quality and appearance of a fine scientific instrument. It is…

To type on the unusual American Visible typewriter, one slides the nickel-plated selector back and forth over the keyboard, using any of the four pointers on the selector, to choose…

  The American 2 typewriter closely resembles the American 1, but it features a slightly larger top index plate with a distinct scalloped front edge.This example of the American 2 was…

Inventor Louis Philippe Valiquet’s compact American 1 typewriter consists of just 35 parts! Despite its simplicity, it is a well-built index typewriter. Its main selling points were ease of use,…

  The Alexis typewriter was the result of a small-town inventor’s desire to design and manufacture his own typewriter. James A. Wallace (1845–1906) was born in Alexis, Illinois (population 900), where…