The Perfected Remington 2 (1878) and 4 (1879) were the first typewriters that Remington produced after the famous Sholes and Glidden typewriter (1874) and its successor, the Perfected 1 (1878). The Perfected 2 was the first typewriter to feature a shift key, allowing for both upper and lowercase characters. It also introduced a smaller diameter platen that would become the standard. The Perfected 4, on the other hand, retained the large platen and did not include a shift key, so like its predecessors, it typed only in capitals.
The Perfected 4 is decorated with pin striping and has no markings to indicate the model number or manufacturer. Later examples of the Model 4 include the words ‘Remington Standard Typewriter 4’ on the front of the frame.
The Perfected 4 was used by telegraph operators, business houses for billing, and general correspondence. A period advertisement describes it as follows: “A popular machine of the Remington make, and a great favorite with telegraphers and others desiring plain, rapid work.”
At this early time, Remington typewriters were marketed by Fairbanks, Moorse & Co., the well-known makers of scales. Shown below is the front page of their typewriter marketing pamphlet, along with their notice of an award granted to the Perfected 4 for ‘Superior Merit’ at the Paris Exposition in 1878.
Like a quality bicycle, the Perfected 4 features brilliantly designed components that are easy to remove and shaped in the simplest form to perform their function. This typewriter is indeed perfected.
This typewriter was sold for $125, the same price as the Sholes and Glidden typewriter.
“It substitutes the pen or pencil in everything except making useless flourishes.”
“The necessity of the age is now met, and rapid thinkers and quick workers have an unfailing assistant.”
