Typewriter [Royal Bar-Lock]
Maker and role
Columbia Typewriter Company, Manufacturer
Charles Spiro, Designer
Production date
1899-1914
Object detail
Accession number
1965.318
Description
Typewriter - "Royal Barlock", black finish. Both black and white tabs. Made by the Columbia Typewriter Company.
Brief History
This model of mechanical typewriter was designed by American inventor, Charles Spiro, toward the end of the 19th century. They were made in America, where they were sold as Bar-Lock typewriters, and also in England, where they were sold under the name 'Royal Bar-Lock'. In 1914, the Barlock Typewriter Company of London purchased the patents from the Columbia Typewriter Company, and production moved to England.
This machine has a metal frame and a cylindrical platen. Typebars (long arms with type at the ends) are arranged in a semi-circle in front of the platen. The keyboard is made up of six rows of lettering, with three rows of 36 keys for uppercase letters and numerals (these keys are octagonal shaped black keys with white markings), and three rows of 36 keys for lowercase letters and punctuation characters (these are also octagonal in shape, but white keys with black markings). The space bar is at the front of the keyboard.
This machine has a metal frame and a cylindrical platen. Typebars (long arms with type at the ends) are arranged in a semi-circle in front of the platen. The keyboard is made up of six rows of lettering, with three rows of 36 keys for uppercase letters and numerals (these keys are octagonal shaped black keys with white markings), and three rows of 36 keys for lowercase letters and punctuation characters (these are also octagonal in shape, but white keys with black markings). The space bar is at the front of the keyboard.
Marks
ROYAL / BAR-LOCK Embossed
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Columbia Typewriter Company et al. 1899-1914. Typewriter [Royal Bar-Lock], 1965.318. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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