RNIB Matrix Model G Braille Typewriter
| RNIB Matrix Model G Braille Typewriter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Manufacturer | Coventry Gauge and Tool Company Ltd |
| Model | G |
| Obtained | Donation (unknown) |
| Location | Museum of Obsolete Technology |
| Team | Tools |
| Induction Required | No |
| Tools: all pages • list • Power Tools • Broken tools {{}} | |
The Braille typewriter embosses Braille letters onto a roll of paper (not supplied). It probably dates from the 1930s, and its manufacturer was active then, and employed some blind people.
It is operated by simultaneously pressing an appropriate combination of six keys, each of which corresponds to one of the dots in a Braille cell. The paper then advances automatically. There is also a space bar to advance the paper without embossing. The dots are embossed upwards so the operator can read what they have just typed. There is no warning when the paper runs out.
The Brailler is in working order. The paper channel is 25mm wide, just slightly narrower than an inch, so standard teleprinter tape probably won't fit (and is too flimsy anyway). Recommend paper of at least 120gsm, preferably a bit heavier. 80gsm copier paper won't hold the dots very long.
The keys are, left to right, bottom left dot, middle left, top left, top right, middle right, bottom right. When fingers are placed on the keys, the index fingers are the top dots, the middle fingers the middle dots, and the ring fingers the bottom dots.
Since the machine embosses a strip of paper rather than a page, it is probably most useful for note taking and dictation. The determined could glue embossed strips onto a backing sheet.