Rev. W.G. Todd’s modified Edison for the blind

Among the earliest practical applications for mechanical writing was as an aid for the blind. The earliest proto-typewriters, such as Foucault’s 1839 Typograph, served this purpose, and subsequent machines were frequently modified for this purpose, for example, the Merritt Typewriter (see here). Touch typing more generally obviated the need entirely.

The Edison typewriter, an utter failure (as were many index typewriters), found utility as an aid for the blind.

From The Illustrated Phonographic World (New York), June 1895 —

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