Odell 2 Typewriter-奇美博物館-Collection-0006654

Odell 2 Typewriter Collection Image, Figure 1, Total 13 Figures

Odell 2 Typewriter Collection Image, Figure 2, Total 13 Figures

Odell 2 Typewriter Collection Image, Figure 3, Total 13 Figures

Odell 2 Typewriter Collection Image, Figure 4, Total 13 Figures

Odell 2 Typewriter Collection Image, Figure 5, Total 13 Figures

Odell 2 Typewriter Collection Image, Figure 6, Total 13 Figures

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Odell 2 Typewriter Collection Image, Figure 9, Total 13 Figures

Odell 2 Typewriter Collection Image, Figure 10, Total 13 Figures

Odell 2 Typewriter Collection Image, Figure 11, Total 13 Figures

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Odell 2 Typewriter Collection Image, Figure 13, Total 13 Figures

Odell 2 Typewriter

Author:Odell Typewriter Company

Category：Industry

Material:Mixed media

Year：ca. 1890

Size:Length:28.4 x Width:22.9 x Height:8.5 (cm)

Introduction：Different from keyboard typewriters, there are typewriters without keyboards, the “index typewriters”. Take this Odell No.2 typewriter as an example. With this typewriter, the typist moves the small lever on top either leftwards or rightwards so that the pointer is right above the desired letter or symbol and then the typist presses down the pointer to imprint the letter or symbol onto the paper roll below.

Back in its time when most keyboard typewriters cost around USD$60 to USD$100, this index typewriter cost only USD$20, which is a low-price advantage of index typewriters. In addition, its base decorated with Art Nouveau patterns added aesthetics to its overall look. With these advantages, this typewriter was a very successful product with great sales.

However, index typewriters are slower than keyboard typewriters and, therefore, unsuitable for office work that demands faster typing. When index typewriters lost their low-price advantage, they gradually became typewriters for entertainment.

(Research and Edit: National Science and Technology Museum, Jun-Fu Huang, Associate Researcher)

Accession Number:0006654

Place of Orgin：USA

CHIMEI MUSEUM