1992.353

Marburg Braille Writer

This machine is essentially an up-to-date version of the Picht writer. It will accommodate sheets of paper up to 11 inches with a maximum of 41 cells per line. The Blista includes a back space lever, a carriage release lever, and right and left margin stops. The keyboard has six keys and a space bar. The writer and the case weigh 14 pounds. --information from photocopy from unknown source in file folder. The Blista braillewriter has a wooden roller and a rubber roller. Braillewriter, which is finished with a grey-brown enamel, has wooden keys. A nameplate states "Blindenstudienanstalt Blista Marburg-Lahn-Germany"; serial#6655.

ca. 1966

Deutsche Blindenstudienanstalt (Blista)

Marburg, Germany

The German Blind Study Institute (Blista) was founded by Dr. Carl Strehl (1886-1971) in 1916 in the historic university town of Marburg to help treat and rehabilitate blinded soldiers. The institute operated a workshop to produce special tools from its inception. The production of braillewriters based on Oskar Picht's original design moved to the Blista factory after WWII.

Gift of Judy Dixon, 1992.353