Patent Model of a Type-distributing Machine
National Museum of American History

Patent Model of a Type-distributing Machine

Fraser, Alexander · ca 1880

metal (overall material)
National Museum of American History
CC0 — Public Domain
National Museum of American History

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type distributing machine which was granted patent number 224167. Fraser's distributer worked like his composer, but in reverse. Lines of dead type, held at the top of the machine, were read off by the operator who keyed in the letters. The action of the keys pushed the type down channels and back into storage trays, to be returned to the composing machine.

🔒
Order museum-quality prints

Sign in to order prints, canvas, and more of this work. Browsing and full-resolution downloads stay free.