Velograph (improved)

First year of production:

1886

Company:

Rymtowt-Prince & Cie , Geneva , Switzerland

Serial nr:

364

The Velograph was the first typewriter built, with typical precision, in Switzerland. It appeared in two models, first with a flat index disk and in 1888 with the dome-shape shown here.

The circular index shows letters on one side, and figures and special characters in a separate e section. Upper and lower case letters were arranged on opposite sides of the disk. On the earlier Velograph the upper and lower case letters had been arranged differently and the entire index disk was used.

The index and type disks can be moved independently. By shifting the index to the left or right, one would write a letter using the index, but the result would be garbled. The receiver of the letter could decode the letter by copying it on another Velograph, after turning the disk in the opposite direction.

The Velograph has an extendable carriage rail, that slides away when not in use.

Courtesy of: Costa collection