The Monotype keyboard, from The Monotype System
(Philadelphia, 1916)
2708.a.48

1890s

Linotype composing machines came into use, especially for newspapers

1897 Founding of the English Monotype Corporation. Monotype was more flexible than linotype, and particularly suitable for book printing. The operator composed the lines, including spaces and justification, at a keyboard, which produced punched tape. This tape powered a typecaster, which in turn produced a galley (tray) of type.