Contrary to popular belief, this is not Pinhead’s steampunk stenography device
It’s the Hansen Writing Ball! Rasmus Malling-Hansen’s pincushion is actually quite ergonomic, even more impressive for something invented in 1865! /2
It’s the Hansen Writing Ball! Rasmus Malling-Hansen’s pincushion is actually quite ergonomic, even more impressive for something invented in 1865! /2
The 1870 model was the 1st mass-produced typewriter; until 1875 it utilized an electromagnet, making it the 1st electric typewriter to boot!
You couldn’t see what you were typing on the paper, but it was fast. VERY FAST.
(Shown here: 1870, 74, & 78 patent modes) /3
You couldn’t see what you were typing on the paper, but it was fast. VERY FAST.
(Shown here: 1870, 74, & 78 patent modes) /3
Reverend Malling-Hansen was principal of the Copenhagen Royal Institute for the Deaf-Mutes; appropriately enough the one in this video is set up for Louis Brailles' eponymous alphabet for the blind:
/4
/4
Friedrich Nietzsche famously used one starting in 1881 when his sight began failing; his interest in language & rhetoric was in part shaped by his experience w/ it
What he didn’t know was his difficulties w/ it were due to damage done in shipping & a subsequent failed repair /5
What he didn’t know was his difficulties w/ it were due to damage done in shipping & a subsequent failed repair /5
Still, he liked it enough to write the following poem on Feb. 16th, 1882:
“The Writing Ball is a thing like me: of iron
Yet twisted easily – especially on journeys.
Patience and tact must be had in abundance
As well as fine (little) fingers to use us.’
/6
“The Writing Ball is a thing like me: of iron
Yet twisted easily – especially on journeys.
Patience and tact must be had in abundance
As well as fine (little) fingers to use us.’
/6
Today, the writing ball appears to us like a terrifying pincushion b/c it was hand-crafted, unable to keep production up in the face of mass-produced juggernauts like the Sholes and Glidden, churned out by arms manufacturer E. Remington in 1873-4. /7
The “Remington No. 1” evolved clunkily from its 1868 origin; Sholes & Glidden didn’t study prior inventions (ex: “reinventing” the 1833 circular Progin type-bar).
This machine’s different wire/lever mechanisms birthed the QWERTY layout to prevent often-used keys from jamming. /8
This machine’s different wire/lever mechanisms birthed the QWERTY layout to prevent often-used keys from jamming. /8
Malling-Hansen went on to invent the Takygraf, an even faster stenography device, & the Xerografi, a copying device (BOTH in 1872!), beside his work on improving conditions for his deaf-mute students, educational techniques, & child growth periods.
He died in 1890, age 55.
/9
He died in 1890, age 55.
/9
It is to my great regret that I couldn’t write this thread on a writing ball
Ah, well.
At least I can ring a bell each time I hit the “return” key!
/10-end
Ah, well.
At least I can ring a bell each time I hit the “return” key!
/10-end
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