Simplex typewriter, early 20th century
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Simplex typewriter, early 20th century
Simplex typewriter, early 20th-century artwork. This simple design of typewriter was developed by the Simplex Typewriter Company of New York, USA, first appearing in around 1892. The wheel was rotated to the required letter and pressed to type that letter. This was much slower than keyboard-operated typewriters and the Simplex soon became obsolete, surviving only as a toy for children. Artwork from the 26th volume (second period of 1900) of the French popular science weekly La Science Illustree
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6339933
© SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1890s 1900 1900s Annual Volume Device French Hand Inset La Science Illustree Letter Louis Figuier Machine Magazine Mechanism New York North American Obsolete Popular Science Printing Rotation Selection Simple Typing Typist Us A Weekly Wheel Letter Writer Mono Chrome Simplex Type Writer
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the Simplex typewriter, an early 20th-century marvel of technology. Developed by the Simplex Typewriter Company in New York around 1892, this elegant device revolutionized written communication at the time. The typewriter's simple design featured a rotating wheel that allowed users to select and press individual letters for typing. However, compared to its keyboard-operated counterparts, the Simplex was considerably slower and soon fell into obsolescence. Despite its limited success as a practical writing tool, the charm of the Simplex endured through time as it found new life as a beloved toy for children. This artwork from La Science Illustree – a popular French science weekly publication – captures both the historical significance and artistic beauty of this technological relic. The monochrome illustration highlights intricate details such as the delicate rotation mechanism operated by an adult hand. It transports us back to an era when each letter required careful selection before being imprinted onto paper with precision. As we admire this piece of history, we are reminded of how far technology has advanced since then. Yet, there is something nostalgic about witnessing these early inventions that laid the foundation for our modern world. This print serves as a testament to human ingenuity and innovation during a transformative period in history - where even seemingly simple devices like typewriters played their part in shaping society's progress.
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