2003.16

Picht typewriter

Picht, Oskar

The ink-print typewriter is designed for blind users. The character to be typed is selected by sliding an indicator along a metal plate on the top right of the machine. The plate has two rows of raised braille characters, with corresponding gilt print characters shown above. The indicator is connected to and turns the typing wheel as the braille is selected. The user pushes down two levers on the left of the machine to position the typing wheel for upper or lower case letters or for numbers/symbols. Then, a front lever is pushed in, which moves the typing wheel along an attached ink roller and toward the open platen, where it makes contact with the paper and prints the letter. The typewriter has an end of line bell. A removable pin fits into 4 holes in a bar at the back of the machine to set margin stops at 1-inch intervals. The platen, with a right-end rolling knob, is manually returned by pushing it while holding in the front lever. The typewriter is secured to the base of the wooden case. The lid of the case lifts off. It has hook fasteners on the sides and a leather handle on the front. "Schreibmaschine Picht" appears in gilt lettering on the metal plate.

ca. 1907

Picht, Oskar

Germany

This is an index typewriter invented by Oscar Picht for blind typists around 1907. Catalogs advertising it exist that date as late as 1928. Index typewriters did not have keyboards. One hand operated a pointer that selected a letter from an index while the other hand depressed a lever that printed the type on the paper. Oscar Picht (1871-1945) invented the first German braillewriter in 1899 while teaching at the State School for the Blind in Berlin, Germany. While director of the Provincial School for the Blind in Bromberg, Germany, from 1910-1920, he invented a braille shorthand machine and held multiple German braillewriter patents.

Museum Purchase, 2003.16