1886 World 1

The World No. 1 is an early index typewriter from 1886, made by the World Type-Writer Co. of Portland, Maine. It uses a swinging pointer with a finger cup to select letters on a rubber type strip mounted to a semicircular wheel; a rod then presses the pliant rubber against the paper, inked by small felt pads—an elegant, low-cost alternative to keyboard machines. This example is complete with its original mahogany box.