AN ELECTRIC PEN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5372, 15 June 1878, Page 3

AN ELECTRIC PEN.

A very ingenious invention called an electric pen has been brought into use in tho department of the secretary to the Post-office. It is not possible to give a very clear description of the machine without the aid of illustrations, but the following will give some idea of it. The writing is done by means of a needle, enclosed in a stile, and the point is driven by electricity with such immense speed that as one writes slowly on a piece of paper innumerable minute punctures arc made. The paper so prepared resembles a stencil plate, and is placed in what may be termed the printing frame. Here a sheet upon which the writing is to be transferred is laid, and the stencil paper being folded upon it, a roller is passed across. This gives what is apparently a fac simile of the writing, and the process can be repeated a great many times, thus providing an excellent means of manifolding. In one instance in America as many as 600 prints were taken from ono page. Tho whole machine is very neat and compact, the battery occupying but a small space, of course tho wires which connect the pen with the battery are very flexible, enabling the hand to move freely. When first used tho stile feels heavy, but it is said that a little practice enables one to write easily and pleasantly. This pen, known as Edison’s, is an American invention, the head-quarters of the proprietors being Chicago. It appears likely to come largely into uso in Government and other offices, where many copies of a document are required, and it seems well adapted for reproducing plans and even sketches. We have to thank Mr. Grey, secretary to the Post-office, for his courtesy in showing this manifolder to ono of our staff.