Changeable type bars for typewriter composition

Abstract

During the past several years, the U. S.Atomic Energy Commission, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, has maintained a unique "cold composition"** and "offset lithography" operation under the direction of the Technical Information Service (TIS). In addition to this publishing function, TIS also provides a centralized cataloging, library and reference service for other AEC activities. A s a result of this diversified operation, TIS has experienced composing problems identical to those of other publishers with respect to the setting of physical, chemical, and scientific symbols and other types of special characters peculiar to the scientific and technical profession (see Fig. 1).writer composing problems that were steadily increasing with the growth of technical and scientific research. It was at this time that the ('changeable type bar" entered the research phase. This newly designed type bar was anticipated as an advancement toward expanding the flexibility of the typewriter for composing technical typescript. IBM agreed to design a phototype model typewriter with the changeable type bar modification for testing by TIS in Oak Ridge, After exhaustive operating tests and engineering refinements this modification was proved practical and feasible. able type bar positions; each key position accommodating two-unit, three-unit, four -unit and five-unit characters, respectively. Twenty-nine individual changeable keys were selected from available type designs, and these type heads were mounted on the newly designed type bar (see Fig. 2). These four key buttons and the The prototype model consisted of four change-These varied composing problems, plus the costly and time-consuming paste-in or hand operation familiar to the "cold type" process, prompted TIS to explore the possibility of a technique whereby the typist would be afforded the equipment with which to produce a s much typescript a s possible at a relatively lower production cost than typesetting, monotype, or extensive stock-piling of special symbols attained through calligraphy and subsequent photographic reproductions.In the spring of 1950, representatives of TIS contacted the International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) for the purpose of discussing type-F i g . 2 type bars were color coded to facilitate their identification by the typist. Figure 3 illustrates t h e typebar storage rack that was designed by * M r . C u m m i n s is a m e m b e r of the staff of t h e Atomic E n e r g y C o m m i s s i o n a t Oak Ridge, Tenn.