The Munson typewriter is a remarkable piece of engineering, with a complex and original mechanical design packed into a small frame. With its inner workings largely exposed, the typewriter comes to life with moving rods and levers when in use.
The Munson does not have type bars but uses a horizontal type cylinder (about the size of one’s finger) that slides from side-to-side and rotates to have the correct character move into position. Then a hammer strikes from behind, pushing the paper against the ribbon and type cylinder.
The Munson was introduced in 1890 and did quite well on the market; however, today it is a rare find. The Munson became the Chicago in 1898 when the enterprise was bought and the typewriters were manufactured by The Chicago Writing Machine Co.
