Hammond multiplex typewriter
Datecirca 1923
Inventory Number1996-1-0373
ClassificationTypewriter
Subject
Maker
Hammond Typewriter Company
fl. 1884 - 1932
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsclosed: 34.6 × 33.4 × 18.8 cm (13 5/8 × 13 1/8 × 7 3/8 in.)
Material
Accessoriesfour Hammond type shuttles for different type faces, each with a wooden storage box; four laminated paper rectangles with symbol placement guide; instruction book, instruction sheets, advertisements, and correspondence (in object file)
DescriptionThis Hammond Multiplex Typewriter is fixed upon the bottom panel of its black storage box. The top part of the box is attached along the back of the platform by hinges. When the box is open, the top half sits on the ground providing a backdrop for the typewriter. There is a metal handle attached to the front panel of the top half of the box and there are two metal latches on the same side that attach the top to the bottom of the box. The outside edges of the sides of the box have a seam running along them. Each of the four corners of the bottom portion of the box is reinforced with metal plating. The insides of the top and bottom halves of the box are lined with navy blue leather. There is a pocket in the back of the lid (when the box is open) and it contains a folder full of instructions and pamphlets.
The typewriter is centered on the bottom half of the box with the keys in the front (farthest from the hinges) and the paper holder at the back (closest to the hinges). The body of the machine is a two-tiered, black cylinder, the top tier having a slightly smaller diameter than the bottom tier. The cylinder is fixed in between the paper feed and the type keys and it encases the primary mechanism of the typewriter. There is a short metal extension emerging from each of the left and the right hand side of the cylinder. Each arm is supported by a vertical metal bar that is fixed to the bottom platform of the storage box. There is a black puck-sized cylinder atop each metal extension. Each black cylinder has a lid on top that can be removed. The pucks contain the ink tape for the typewriter. As a user is typing, the tape moves from a roll in the left hand puck and rolls up in the right hand puck.
In between the two black pucks, there is a metal circle with a pivot on top attached to the top of the main black cylinder. This circle is the shuttle holder. The metal pivot can be lifted, permitting the user to attach or remove the desired shuttles. When the shuttle holder is lowered back into the cylinder, the circle rotates according to the keys types. The Multiplex Typewriter can hold two shuttles at once and the user can press a button to rotate the shuttle holder 180 degrees to alternate between them.
The metal paper holder is above the two black pucks and the main black cylinder. It is a snaking metal bar forming a flattened 'S' shape on the right hand side and a flattened backwards 'S' shape on the left hand side. Each end is attached to the side of the typewriter. It can be folded down to encompass the pivot of the shuttle holder for storage, but it folds upwards during use. There is a long black metal strip that runs the length of the typewriter from end to end of the snaking metal paper holder. It supports the paper from the back. There are two spoon shaped levers on the left hand side of the machine, next to the left end of the metal snaking paper holder. There is a black, rotating knob attached to the right-hand side of the typewriter at the level of the black, ink-tape pucks.
Behind the main black cylinder and beneath the two black pucks, there is a cylindrical, black metal grating with small circular holes. Near the bottom, a square metal bar runs the length of the grating. The bar has an incision in it every few millimeters. There are two metal clips that fit in to the incisions.
The type keys for the typewriter are located at the front of the base platform. There are three rows of twelve keys. The keys are circular and attached to the typewriter by a metal arm extending from the bottom. Each key pad is white with black (for regular symbols) or red (for control keys) writing on it. The letters, numerals and symbols written directly on the keys will hereafter be called the "permanent labels". The permanent labels refer to one of the four possible shuttles with which the typewriter is equipped. It consists of all the letters in the Latin alphabet, lower and upper case, arranged as they are in modern day keyboards.
The letters in the top row (closest to the main body of the typewriter) are (in this order) Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O, P and each accompanied by a numeral from 1 through 9 and then 0 respectively. There are two control keys at the rightmost end of the top row. The rightmost key is labeled "BACK/ SPACE" and the key second from the right is labeled 'MR'GL STOP RELEASE'. The center rows of keys consists of (in this order) A, S, D, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, followed by two punctuation only keys. There is also a control key on either end, both labeled "FIG". The bottom row consists of (in this order) Z, X, C, V, B, N, M, followed by three punctuation only keys. There is also a control key on either end, both labeled "CAP". Each of the roman letter keys is accompanied by a punctuation mark. There is a long black key attached to two metal arms that are fixed in the front row of keys. This key is the space bar. It has to be folded up, on top of the second and front row of keys for storage but can be folded down in front of the front row during use.
This model is equipped with four shuttles. Each shuttle is a gently curved strip of metal. Each shuttle consists of three rows of symbols. Each shuttle has its own rectangular, wooden storage box. The topmost panel of each box slides off to the right in two tracks along the long edges of the rectangle. Each shuttle is accompanied by a rectangular slip of stiff, laminated paper that indicates the position of each character on the shuttle.
There are two shuttles with regular, roman letters (upper and lower case). Each such shuttle is equipped with a set of punctuation as well; at least one symbol accompanying each letter. The sets of accompanying punctuation are not the same for each. The slips of paper for these shuttles are off white. A third shuttle is equipped with scientific symbols and Greek letters. Finally, there is a shuttle with capital letters in calligraphy script, accompanied by the numerals 0 - 9 and several mathematical symbols. The slips of paper for the latter two shuttles are burnt orange-colored. In addition to the laminated guide, each shuttle has a small example sheet in its storage box.
In between the black grating cylinder and the keys, at the foot of the main black cylinder, is the shuttle paper holder. The holder consists of a black metal strip that runs the length of the back row of keys, and two metal clips, one just above the key permanently labeled 'Q' and one above the key permanently labeled 'P'. Users insert a paper guide into the clips, and it is supported from behind by the black metal strip. The strip then indicates which key corresponds to which symbol on the shuttles in the shuttle holder. The Roman letters on both of the standard shuttles are organized in the same way as the permanent key-labels. In most cases, users will have one Roman shuttle and one special symbol shuttle in the typewriter and the key-guide for the latter will be inserted above the keys.
Removed an envelope in the folder in the back of the storage box (in object file):
instruction book; instruction sheet for making manifold carbon copies; advertisement pamphlet with font examples, parts, features pamphlet of all English fonts; pamphlet for variable spacing model; pamphlet with European arrangement type faces; instruction sheet for stencil work; instruction sheet for condensed writing; a business card from Boston distributor; general instruction sheet for use and care of all Hammond models; marketing pamphlet for Mathematicians, Engineers, Surveyors, Chemists, or Scientists; pamphlet with special type sets; letter from Hammond Typewriter Company to the Department of Mineralogy at Harvard University, dated May 4, 1923, with prices, and information
The typewriter is centered on the bottom half of the box with the keys in the front (farthest from the hinges) and the paper holder at the back (closest to the hinges). The body of the machine is a two-tiered, black cylinder, the top tier having a slightly smaller diameter than the bottom tier. The cylinder is fixed in between the paper feed and the type keys and it encases the primary mechanism of the typewriter. There is a short metal extension emerging from each of the left and the right hand side of the cylinder. Each arm is supported by a vertical metal bar that is fixed to the bottom platform of the storage box. There is a black puck-sized cylinder atop each metal extension. Each black cylinder has a lid on top that can be removed. The pucks contain the ink tape for the typewriter. As a user is typing, the tape moves from a roll in the left hand puck and rolls up in the right hand puck.
In between the two black pucks, there is a metal circle with a pivot on top attached to the top of the main black cylinder. This circle is the shuttle holder. The metal pivot can be lifted, permitting the user to attach or remove the desired shuttles. When the shuttle holder is lowered back into the cylinder, the circle rotates according to the keys types. The Multiplex Typewriter can hold two shuttles at once and the user can press a button to rotate the shuttle holder 180 degrees to alternate between them.
The metal paper holder is above the two black pucks and the main black cylinder. It is a snaking metal bar forming a flattened 'S' shape on the right hand side and a flattened backwards 'S' shape on the left hand side. Each end is attached to the side of the typewriter. It can be folded down to encompass the pivot of the shuttle holder for storage, but it folds upwards during use. There is a long black metal strip that runs the length of the typewriter from end to end of the snaking metal paper holder. It supports the paper from the back. There are two spoon shaped levers on the left hand side of the machine, next to the left end of the metal snaking paper holder. There is a black, rotating knob attached to the right-hand side of the typewriter at the level of the black, ink-tape pucks.
Behind the main black cylinder and beneath the two black pucks, there is a cylindrical, black metal grating with small circular holes. Near the bottom, a square metal bar runs the length of the grating. The bar has an incision in it every few millimeters. There are two metal clips that fit in to the incisions.
The type keys for the typewriter are located at the front of the base platform. There are three rows of twelve keys. The keys are circular and attached to the typewriter by a metal arm extending from the bottom. Each key pad is white with black (for regular symbols) or red (for control keys) writing on it. The letters, numerals and symbols written directly on the keys will hereafter be called the "permanent labels". The permanent labels refer to one of the four possible shuttles with which the typewriter is equipped. It consists of all the letters in the Latin alphabet, lower and upper case, arranged as they are in modern day keyboards.
The letters in the top row (closest to the main body of the typewriter) are (in this order) Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O, P and each accompanied by a numeral from 1 through 9 and then 0 respectively. There are two control keys at the rightmost end of the top row. The rightmost key is labeled "BACK/ SPACE" and the key second from the right is labeled 'MR'GL STOP RELEASE'. The center rows of keys consists of (in this order) A, S, D, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, followed by two punctuation only keys. There is also a control key on either end, both labeled "FIG". The bottom row consists of (in this order) Z, X, C, V, B, N, M, followed by three punctuation only keys. There is also a control key on either end, both labeled "CAP". Each of the roman letter keys is accompanied by a punctuation mark. There is a long black key attached to two metal arms that are fixed in the front row of keys. This key is the space bar. It has to be folded up, on top of the second and front row of keys for storage but can be folded down in front of the front row during use.
This model is equipped with four shuttles. Each shuttle is a gently curved strip of metal. Each shuttle consists of three rows of symbols. Each shuttle has its own rectangular, wooden storage box. The topmost panel of each box slides off to the right in two tracks along the long edges of the rectangle. Each shuttle is accompanied by a rectangular slip of stiff, laminated paper that indicates the position of each character on the shuttle.
There are two shuttles with regular, roman letters (upper and lower case). Each such shuttle is equipped with a set of punctuation as well; at least one symbol accompanying each letter. The sets of accompanying punctuation are not the same for each. The slips of paper for these shuttles are off white. A third shuttle is equipped with scientific symbols and Greek letters. Finally, there is a shuttle with capital letters in calligraphy script, accompanied by the numerals 0 - 9 and several mathematical symbols. The slips of paper for the latter two shuttles are burnt orange-colored. In addition to the laminated guide, each shuttle has a small example sheet in its storage box.
In between the black grating cylinder and the keys, at the foot of the main black cylinder, is the shuttle paper holder. The holder consists of a black metal strip that runs the length of the back row of keys, and two metal clips, one just above the key permanently labeled 'Q' and one above the key permanently labeled 'P'. Users insert a paper guide into the clips, and it is supported from behind by the black metal strip. The strip then indicates which key corresponds to which symbol on the shuttles in the shuttle holder. The Roman letters on both of the standard shuttles are organized in the same way as the permanent key-labels. In most cases, users will have one Roman shuttle and one special symbol shuttle in the typewriter and the key-guide for the latter will be inserted above the keys.
Removed an envelope in the folder in the back of the storage box (in object file):
instruction book; instruction sheet for making manifold carbon copies; advertisement pamphlet with font examples, parts, features pamphlet of all English fonts; pamphlet for variable spacing model; pamphlet with European arrangement type faces; instruction sheet for stencil work; instruction sheet for condensed writing; a business card from Boston distributor; general instruction sheet for use and care of all Hammond models; marketing pamphlet for Mathematicians, Engineers, Surveyors, Chemists, or Scientists; pamphlet with special type sets; letter from Hammond Typewriter Company to the Department of Mineralogy at Harvard University, dated May 4, 1923, with prices, and information
Signedcentered above the keys in bold script: MADE IN U.S.A. / Hammond
Inscribedcentered above the keys in gold script: Multiplex
written around the globe logo above the keys: HAMMOND TYPEWRITER FOR ALL NATIONS AND TONGUES
marked on top of each Hammond shuttle box: Hammond Type Shuttle/ No. ______/ No oil should be used on the shuttle. [shuttle boxes are labled with numbers in pencil on the line, one box is labelled 23 but the others are illegible]
Curatorial RemarksIn a letter from the Boston Branch of the Hammond Typewriter Co. to the Mineralogy Department at Harvard University, dated May 4, 1923, the typewriter is listed as $100.00, including two extra shuttles.
Instruction manual and other papers are in object file and have been scanned
FunctionThis is a Hammond Multiplex Closed Universal Typewriter. "Universal" indicates that the keys are in straight lines rather than curved around the machine. Hammond Multiplex Ideal Typewriters have the latter. "Closed" indicates that main components of the typewriting mechanism, including the shuttle, are encased in the main black cylindrical body, rather than visible to the user.
This typewriter is a mechanical writing instrument by which characters are transferred to paper fed through the shuttles by inked shuttles. The Multiplex Typewriter's main feature is that it can be equipped with two shuttles at the same time. The shuttle holder can be rotated 180 degrees permitting the user to alternate between two sets of fonts (i.e. between two shuttles) very quickly.
Each key is equipped with at least two and at most three symbols. Accordingly, each shuttle has three rows of symbols. When neither the "CAP" nor the "FIG" buttons are pressed, the typewriter will print the lowest level symbols on the paper. When a "CAP" button is held down, the shuttle holder rises one level to print a symbol from the center row of the shuttle. When a "FIG" button is held down, the shuttle holder rises two levels to print a symbol from the top row of the shuttle.
Hammond and his company the Hammond Typewriter Co., always had portability in mind. This machine weighs 8.2 Kilograms (18 pounds), and so is not easily portable in practice, the 'built in carrying case' design points to this intended and anticipated function. Hammond's later models, the Folding Multiplex Typewriter, were indeed easily portable.
Click here for Richard Milton's history of Hammond, the Hammond Typewriter Company, and an overview of the evolution of his typewriter models.
This typewriter is a mechanical writing instrument by which characters are transferred to paper fed through the shuttles by inked shuttles. The Multiplex Typewriter's main feature is that it can be equipped with two shuttles at the same time. The shuttle holder can be rotated 180 degrees permitting the user to alternate between two sets of fonts (i.e. between two shuttles) very quickly.
Each key is equipped with at least two and at most three symbols. Accordingly, each shuttle has three rows of symbols. When neither the "CAP" nor the "FIG" buttons are pressed, the typewriter will print the lowest level symbols on the paper. When a "CAP" button is held down, the shuttle holder rises one level to print a symbol from the center row of the shuttle. When a "FIG" button is held down, the shuttle holder rises two levels to print a symbol from the top row of the shuttle.
Hammond and his company the Hammond Typewriter Co., always had portability in mind. This machine weighs 8.2 Kilograms (18 pounds), and so is not easily portable in practice, the 'built in carrying case' design points to this intended and anticipated function. Hammond's later models, the Folding Multiplex Typewriter, were indeed easily portable.
Click here for Richard Milton's history of Hammond, the Hammond Typewriter Company, and an overview of the evolution of his typewriter models.
ProvenanceThe typewriter was purchased by the Department of Mineralogy at Harvard University in 1923.
Olivetti S.p.A.
Date: circa 1959
Accessories: Black and red ribbon in place on two spools inside typewriter.
Object number: 2011-1-0067
Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: circa 1980
Object number: 1998-1-1042
Wang Laboratories, Inc.
Date: 1970
Accessories: cloth instrument cover lined with tissue paper; black power cord; accompanied by central electronic unit (2001-1-003b); two page hand-written note from Peter L. Smith, Research associate, Harvard College Observatory, regarding the donation of the calculator, dated 10 December, 2001 (original and copy in instrument file); photocopy of operation instructions from the bottom panel of calculator unit (in instrument file); printed document on the history of the Wang 360SE by Rick Bensene (in instrument file); printed document on the history of the Want 360SE from Geocity (in instrument file); printed document on the Orbiting Solar Observatories (in instrument file)
Object number: 2001-1-0033a
CASIO Computer Company, Ltd.
Date: 1970-1980
Accessories: vinyl pouch with folded over snap cover and hanging loop; batteries
Object number: 1995-1-0012
Commodore International
Date: 1982-1985
Accessories: four-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); two cyclotron lead bricks (2003-1-0239g, h); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i); user's guide for commodore 64 with instructions for use, connections, installation, and service (stored next to the commodore video monitor on top shelf of computer rack); user's guide for commodore 1541 with instructions for use, maintenance, connection, installation, and service (stored next to the commodore video monitor on top shelf of computer rack); ten floppy discs stored in a cardboard box on top of external disk drive
Object number: 2003-1-0293e
E. Hartnack & A. Prazmowski
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: objectives in green leather box (5): 2, 4, 6, 7, and unmarked; objectives in brown box (2): 2, 3; oculars (5); 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; polarizing eyepiece and substage apparatus; substage condenser; substage cup diaphragms (4); slider with sleeve to hold substage accessories; large bull's eye condenser with stand; aperture-stop rotating wheel; blue filters (3); flat case; case keys (2).
Object number: 1145a