James B. Hammond (1839 to 1913) was an American journalist, inventor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. It is his typewriter, though, that he is largely associated with today.
Hammond was one of the great typewriter pioneers, beginning work on his masterpiece in the late 1870s. It was patented in 1880 and manufactured in 1885.
The Hammond typewriter has a brilliant mechanical design and a stunning look, encased in mahogany (also available in oak and cherry) with ebony keys. One might well imagine, with the name Hammond and ebony piano-like keys, that there would be a connection with the Hammond Organ Company, but there is none.
Instead of using typebars, a split type-shuttle with hardened rubber characters (see detail below) rotates in either direction into position as the keys are pushed. Then a spring-loaded hammer swings from behind the carriage, striking the paper and ribbon against the type-shuttle to print. The constant force of the hammer gives an even impression to each character typed, regardless of how soft or hard the keys are pressed.
The type-shuttle is readily interchangeable, allowing for different fonts and languages. There were hundreds of choices available. “For every nation, for every tongue” was the slogan Hammond used to convey this versatility. One drawback in the design of the Hammond lies in the extra effort required to load a new sheet of paper into the carriage. Since the striking hammer is positioned behind the platen and obstructs the normal paper exit, paper must be loaded into a cylindrical holder under the platen before typing. The paper is then fed out line by line as the page is advanced.
The Hammond sold for $100, a common price for a full-sized keyboard typewriter of the day, but still a significant amount of money, especially considering that a cast iron coal-burning furnace could be bought for $50.
Seen below is a wonderful photo of James Hammond at age 22 in 1861, when he graduated from the University of Vermont. He displays such an air of confidence and power, just the disposition needed to lead the remarkable life he had.
The intriguing table apparatus shown below (1890, Scientific American) allows one to operate the shift and space keys with one’s knees, and the carriage return with one’s foot.
“Speed, Perfect Alignment, Beauty, Strength, Changeable Type, Durability.”
“The type-wheel has at last been reduced to entire submission. It performs its oscillations with incredible velocity and precision in response to the touch of the operator.”
