Yost 1 Typewriter

Yost Writing Machine Company, New York, 1887 – serial no.3952

Photograph of the Yost 1 typewriter.

The Yost typewriter was the invention of George Washington Newton Yost, one of the key pioneers in the emergence of the first manufactured typewriters. He was a major player in the promotion of the Remington 1, or as it is known the Sholes and Glidden, to the Remington & Sons Company in 1873.

His next project was to create the American Typing Machine Co. which produced the Caligraph typewriters along with others. After considerable success he left to create a typewriter in his own name.

“No ribbon, Direct printing, permanent alignment.” This line from an 1890 display ad clearly states the two principles that Yost felt were most important to incorporate into the design of his typing machine — direct printing and accurate alignment. Inking is done by a felt pad positioned in a full circle around the top of the tower where the type-bars rest. The type-bars travel an intricate half-flip upwards to reach the platen and then are channeled, by an inverse pyramid shaped guide hole, to strike the platen in exactly the same spot every time, giving the accurate alignment that Yost demanded.

One can see in the 1906 postcard below the Yost office in Paris.

This typewriter originally sold for $100.00.

“If you would understand its rapid march into popularity, and why it is head and shoulders above the patched up models of other style machines, send for our handsome illustrated catalogue .”