Hammond Multiplex Typewriter

Object Details

Description

This Hammond Multiplex typewriter was manufactured by the Hammond Typewriter Company of New York during the 1920s. The typewriter uses Hammond’s patented type-shuttle and hammer typing mechanism where the printing is done by a hammer in the back of the machine striking a type-carrying shuttle in the center of the machine, with the paper and ink ribbon in between to receive the impression. This Hammond Multiplex contains two additional Hammond innovations. It is called a Multiplex because the typewriter contains two type shuttles that can easily be rotated into use, allowing the typing of two complete alphabets in different typesets on each machine. This Hammond had keystrokes and carriage returns powered by a General Electric motor.

James Bartlett Hammond filed patents for his type-shuttle and hammer typing mechanism present in Hammond typewriters in 1879, receiving patent number 224088 on February 3rd, 1880 and patent number 232402 September 21st, 1880. The Hammond Typewriter Company was founded in 1880, and produced its first machine by 1884, winning a gold medal at the New Orleans Centennial Exposition that same year. The Hammond Typewriter touted its superior strength and durability due to its unique type-shuttle and hammer typing mechanism. The replaceable type-shuttle also contributed to the Hammond’s popularity with the ability to print in a variety of typesets in various sizes, including math formulae, special symbols, and foreign characters with an easy replacement of the type shuttle, or an even simpler rotation of a wheel in the Hammond Multiplex.

Location

Currently not on view

ID Number

ME.322887

catalog number

322887

accession number

249411

serial number

239265

Object Name

typewriter

Other Terms

typewriter; Standard; Electric

Measurements

overall: 8 in x 13 1/2 in x 14 in; 20.32 cm x 34.29 cm x 35.56 cm

place made

United States: New York, New York

See more items in

Work and Industry: Mechanisms

Typewriters

Computers & Business Machines

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_849992

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746af-17a1-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa