Wednesday, November 28, 2012

TPH U / T OEU (new toy!)

"Totally Your Type" in machine stenography.  It is a chorded typing language, the left side is the initial consonant, the middle the vowel, and the right is the final consonant.  Each line more or less represents a syllable.  This typing language is still used in courtrooms today.
The stenotype is about a foot in length. 
Each print element is fixed in location, and several keys are depressed at once to represent a sound.  The message reads "stenotype". 
It is a closer cousin to the adding machine than it is the typewriter.  I believe this is from the late 30s early 40s, but I don't know. 
Not much space on the keyboard.  Some typists could allegedly type 300-330 words per minute on one of these!
Really odd paper and paper tray.  I suppose if I cannot buy this paper I can fold up an add-roll which will likely be more labor intensive than respooling a ribbon.  I wonder how many court sessions could get recorded on one paper load. 
The case (on the left) is similar in size to a Corona 3's (right), so pretty darn small.

3 comments:

  1. I'm impressed that you have learned those weird letter combinations. I wish I could handle one of these.

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    Replies
    1. Wikipedia and it is actually easier and makes more sense than you would originally think.

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  2. Interesting machine. I've been looking at getting one of these myself. Just out of curiosity.

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