The American 2 typewriter closely resembles the American 1, but it features a slightly larger top index plate with a distinct scalloped front edge.
This example of the American 2 was sold by the Lyon Manufacturing Co. of Toronto Ltd. Like the Model 1, it typed using a rubber strip mounted on a swinging sector, with inking provided by two small felt rollers.
Its selling points included ease of learning, simple maintenance, portability, and a low price—just $8.
“The secret of most great inventions is their simplicity. Such an invention is the American $8.00 Typewriter which contains but 35 parts. The cost of the 1900 or more additional parts in the more complicated machines is money thrown away at the start, and they involve a still further expenditure to keep them in repair.”
