Essential in the Operation of a Typewriter

1. Moving the carriage to the right and return. To move the carriage to the right, use the line space lever. Put in motion the lever, with a twist of the wrist. To return the carriage to the left, press the right hand on the cylinder knob, and with the first finger, press the carriage release. Then bring the carriage to the left margin in the case of manual typewriter. When using an electric typewriter, extend the little finger of the right hand and touch gently the carriage return key. 2. Adjusting the paper guide. The strip of metal at the left end of the carriage wills guides the paper into the machine is the paper guide. It may be placed at any point the typist desires or at 0 point. 3. Controlling the spacing. The line space regulator controls the spacing of lines in typing. Spacing of lines is set as the typist desires. You can set at 1 space for single spacing (no blank lines). For double spacing at 2 spaces (one blank line between typed lines) and 3 space for triple spacing (two blank lines between typed lines).

4. Planning the margins. The left and right side margins of a typical page are controlled by the margin stop that limit the line of typing. In planning the left and right margin settings, follow these steps: For the left margin, subtract half the desired line from the center point. For example, for a 50 space line, subtract 20 spaces from the center point. For the right margin, add half the desired line from the center point. Then make allowance of 5 extra spaces for end line adjustments. LM refers to left margin and RM, to right margin. The center point of 50 and 42 are located on the scale of the typewriter. Center Point at 42 on Pica Space Line LM RM 40 42 20 = 22 42 + 20 + 5 = 67 50 42 25 = 17 42 + 25 + 5 = 72 60 42 30 = 12 42 + 30 + 5 = 77 Center Point at 50 on Elite Space Line LM RM 40 50 20 = 30 50 + 20 + 5 = 75 50 50 25 = 25 50 + 25 + 5 = 80 60 50 30 = 20 50 + 25 + 30 = 85

5. Setting the margins Margin setting varies depending on the model and brand of the typewriter. The most common are the hand-set and spring-set mechanism. Hand-set mechanism. Many typewriters have margin-set keys and hand-set levers . Each lever is moved by hand separately. You have to press down or push in the lever, then slide it right or left to desired point, and finally release it. Spring-set mechanism. Some typewriters have a spring margin-set key at each end of carriage. For the left margin, (1) press the left margin-set key, (2) move the carriage to the intended point on the scale without releasing the margin-set key, after that (3) the margin-set key may now be released. The same procedure is followed for the right margin, using the right margin-set key. 6. Inserting and removing the paper The following steps are suggested on inserting and removing the paper from the typewriter: a. Pull the paper bail up and out before inserting the paper, so it will not interfere. b. With your left hand, grasp the paper and place this behind the cylinder or platen against the paper guide. c. Using your right hand, twirl the cylinder knob to draw the paper. 7. Learn the home position or guide keys using the following directions: a. Locate the left hand key ASDF on the typewriter. Place your left hand finger on these keys or letter. b. Then locate the right hand guide keys JKL; and place your right hand fingers on these keys. c. Remove your fingers from home position or guide keys. Recite the keys ASDF and JKL; as you touch them. Practice several times without looking at the keyboard. 8. Striking the keys and space bar In using electric typewriters, tap each key lightly with the tip of the finger. For manual typewriters strike firmly and quickly release it.