A short video of the Victor working.
Many electric typewriters and early computer printers used a daisy wheel in the 1970s and ’80s, but the first daisy wheel actually appeared on the exquisite Victor typewriter in 1889. A daisy wheel is a single type element resembling a small bicycle wheel, with a spoke for each character. At the end of each spoke is the molded character. A detailed image of the Victor’s daisy wheel is shown below.
To operate the Victor, the tip of the index finger is placed into the small finger cup at the end of the lever seen over the index of characters, and the lever is swung back and forth to position it over the desired character. As the lever moves, the daisy wheel rotates into place for the selected character. A second lever, on the left, is then depressed, causing a small rod to press against the end of the brass spoke, which in turn pushes the hardened rubber character against the paper to print. Inking is achieved with two small ink pads that brush against the characters as the daisy wheel rotates.
The daisy wheel was used on only a few 19th-century typewriters, including the Edland.
Seen below is the very rare Victor Kit, which contains tubes for ink, oil, and alcohol, along with two cleaning brushes. An advertisement for the kit is also shown.
This typewriter originally sold for $15.00.
“The points of excellence in the Victor are so manifest that the manufacturers will forward a machine for examination before purchase by express COD on receipt of $1:00.”
