2014.5.2

German seven-dot shorthand braillewriter in case

Heavy cast aluminum casing, largely sealed, with an angled front and a flat recess on the top left; castings are fairly crude and machining marks have been left unfinished; hand painted black, with traces of an original blue gray paint underneath; one-piece top of casing cushioned from flat base with olive wool felt; three angled plastic-faced wood keys on left and four on right flank a central, trapezoidal steel space bar; pivoting space bar support is mounted to keyboard tray underneath; nickel plated eraser button mounted on top right of case; main parts on the inside of the writer are stamped "38" but no other markings are apparent; knurled thumbscrews on left and right secure the paper tape feed arm and takeup arm, which when mounted feed a 1/2" paper tape into a narrow slot on the sides of the writer; the takeup arm has a clockwork winding mechanism which automatically tensions the tape; three spare aluminum takeup reels are stored in the case; wooden case featured shaped wooden dividers to hold the diassembled parts of the writer in its bottom, and a pair of cast aluminum hand-crank screw-clamp mounted tape winding tools in the lid; black-enameled steel handle and two blued-steel lockable latches.

ca. 1955

Karl Neubert Blinden-Schreibgeräte

Leipzig, East Germany

A seven dot braille shorthand code for use in legal proceedings was created in East Germany in 1949 and published in 1952 as the Deutsche Verhandlungsstenographie. One source claimed the system allowed a speed of up to 380 syllables/minute. Use of the seven dot code was discontinued following German reunification in 1990 and seven dot stenography braillewriters are rare. The eraser button is very unique. Identical machines--as well as conventional six-dot braillewriters-- found for sale elsewhere have a manufacturer's label "Karl Neubert Blinden-Schreibgerate Leipzig W33".

Museum Purchase, 2014.5.