Creation Date

1892 – 1930

Description

Typewriter. This Blickensderfer typewriter belonged to Dr. S. N. Witts of Glenwood, MN. It was given to Mrs. Ellefson by Dr. Witts' son Seth. The typewriter is contained in a wooden case. The case is 13 x 11.5 x 6.5" The top of the case has a half of a leather strap that was used as a handle, it was held in place by 2 pieces of iron riveted on. The top of the case comes off. The typewriter is fastened to the bottom part of the case with 3 bolts on each side. It was made by Blickensderfer in Stamford, Conn., and is a #7. The carriage return is on the right-hand side. One must set the margin on the left hand side. Each key as two figures on it. Usually a a letter and a symbol or number. There is a key for capitalization and one for the figures. There is a bell that is not attached. It belongs behind the carriage on the left-hand side. It does not have a ribbon. Instead it has a piece of round felt which carries the ink. The letters and figures are on a cylinder, 1.5" in diameter. The letter that is to be printed hits the piece of felt to pick up ink before it hits the paper. This machine has a QWERTY keyboard, which is different from standard Blickenderfer models. Since the type was on a wheel rather than keys, it did not need to use the less efficient QWERTY keyboard. The wheel could be changed for different types.
Serial number 93982.