Type-setting Machines. The first type-composing machine on the Records of the English Patent Office appears to be that of Mr W. Church, dated March 1822. Some others, twenty years later in date, such as those of Young and Delcambre, were for a long time before the public without being adopted by printers, and it is only recently that the prejudice against composing machines is being overcome. Very large sums have been spent by inventors on machines which have proved failures, but still year by year the vast increase of printing and the desire to cheapen the production induces inventors to persevere in the attempt to construct machinery that will satisfactorily take the place of hand compositors.
In the early composing machine by Church 'the types are arranged in files in a case at the top, each file being directly over a slit in a horizontal frame. One of a number of jacks protrudes through each of these slits, each jack being connected with a key in a manner somewhat similar to the jacks and keys of a harpsichord.' It is surprising how closely this description conveys to us the leading idea in most of the type-composing machines invented since 1822. Hattersley's machine, for example (1857), has somewhat analogous movements, but the keys are arranged more like those of a concertina, and the details are different. The 'Fraser' (Edinburgh), the 'Kastenbein' (German), and the 'McMillan' (American) are also on much the same principle, differing, however, materially in details. The leading feature of this class of machine is in having the types in tubes or trays in the upper part of the machine, so that the operator by depressing any particular key releases the corresponding type, which by gravity descends by means of a grooved plate to the composing-stick, this operation being repeated as fast as the keys can be touched till sufficient is set for a line, which is then spaced so as exactly to fill the line as in hand-setting.
Another kind of machine is that of Mackie of Warrington. Two machines are required to complete the operation. By means of the first strips of paper are perforated in such a way that each letter is represented by a particular perforation or position on the slip of paper. This slip, on being run through the second machine, automatically sets the type in lines, which are then spaced as above. In an American machine on this principle (1892) electricity is employed to actuate the apparatus of the second machine, which thus sets the types automatically. As the lines are set they are impressed into matrix paper till a column is completed, which is then ready for stereotyping.
Another kind is the 'Thorne,' a combined composing and distributing machine for which the types require to be nicked, each type having its distinctive nick or nicks. The column of type to be distributed is placed on the upper part of a cylinder which is made to revolve, and each type as it comes opposite the groove fitting its special nick drops into it, and is conveyed to the composing apparatus, which is thus kept supplied with type. The composing part of the machine is actuated by means of keys as in the machines described above, the types being set in long lines which are divided and spaced by another operator.
Still another class is the Mergenthaler or Linotype, in which types are dispensed with, matrices with the letters stamped upon the edge being set instead of types. The matrices are set by means of keys as in other machines, and when sufficient have been set to form a line the matter is automatically spaced out to fill the line exactly by an ingenious application of wedge-shaped spaces. The line being complete, the casting apparatus in connection with the machine is brought into operation, and the line is cast solid and ready for printing by simply depressing a lever—hence the name of Linotype. When cast the matrices are re-conveyed by suitable apparatus to their respective receptacles, and are available for further setting. The linotype machine is very extensively used in newspaper offices. It is very suitable for that class of work from its speed and the fact that no distribution of type is required.
Various other composing machines have been invented, but the above comprise most of those in practical use.
The distributing of the type has always been an important consideration for machine-setting, and various plans have been adopted. One plan, as in use with the Thorne and McMillan machines, is to have a distinctive nick or nicks on the shank of each type by means of which each letter is automatically distributed into its proper compartment in the composing machine. But the type is much weakened and there is a large amount of breakage in consequence. For the Fraser, Kastenbein, and Hattersley machines no nicking is required, the distribution in the two former being effected by keys, similar to those in use in the composing machine, while Hattersley employs a hand apparatus to distribute. The automatic plan has the advantage in more rapid distribution, but cannot be adopted for small type; while the keyed machines are not so rapid, but suit any size of type.
Regarding the speed of composing by machine in comparison with hand-setting much depends upon the nature of the work, and especially on the kind of copy supplied. If so plain that he who runs may read, any of the above machines may be run at a high speed—8000, 10,000, or even 12,000 types an hour for a limited time, one operator setting in continuous line while another does the spacing; but it is evident that so large an output as 12,000, which is equal to about three and a half types per second, cannot be maintained. That machines will come largely into use before long need not be doubted; but it would be well if promoters were to modify the statements in prospectuses as to the capabilities of the operators, if not of the machines.