Accession Number: 1993.29
Description: (a) Black enameled aluminum frame resting on four black rubber feet, stenciled in gold on steel bar above keyboard, "The Hall Braille Writer"; cast in frame underneath, "BF1"; arched steel bar extends backwards from the front top of the frame to the upward writing aluminum embossing head protruding through a slot in the carriage; keyboard has six black-enameled wooden keys with beveled fronts, hard rubber space key is mounted in the middle of the keyboard, projecting above and slightly forward of the dot keys, all keys are housed in a white celluloid-covered wooden keyboard shield bolted to the frame, with a black enameled tinplate backplate; aluminum carriage with black hard rubber platen and smaller black rubber-covered steel paper roller; cast under carriage, "BC1"; natural finish wooden platen knobs on both sides, four rolled bright-aluminum paper storage rings bolted under carriage; toothed nickel-plated carriage release bar with angled lever on left is mounted on front of carriage; stamped into release bar, "MADE BY COOPER ENG. & MFG. CO. CHICAGO, ILL. U.S.A. 22929."; carriage return bell screwed under carriage on right; tension for carriage provided by a spring-loaded pulley in middle back of frame attached to carriage with cotton cord; (b) hinged wooden case covered in faux leather.
Date Made: ca. 1920
Maker: Hall, Frank, inventor
Place of Origin: Chicago, IL
Credit Line: Gift of Bay State Council of the Blind, 1993.29
Subjects: Assistive technology Braillewriters Mechanical writing
Dimension Notes: overall
Made: Cooper Engineering & Manufacturing Company
Material: Steel, aluminum, rubber, wood, celluloid
Exhibit Label: Braillewriter
Updated: 05/24/2021
