Summary

Typewriter of the typebar frontstrike class, manufactured by the Underwood Typewriter Company of Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A. The Underwood Model 5 is very similar to the original Model 1, first made in 1897. The Model 1 was the first typewriter to use the front strike design with the typed characters fully visible to the operator.

Physical Description

Black-finished metal frame. Plated metal fittings. Cylindrical platen 252 mm (10 inches) wide. 42 typebars in curved horizontal typebasket. Typebars strike on front of platen. Ink ribbon carried between two spools on vertical axes. Four-row QWERTY keyboard with 42 character keys. 'BACKSPACE' and 'SHIFT' keys to left of keyboard, 'TABULAR KEY', 'SHIFT LOCK' and 'SHIFT' keys to right. Spacebar along front of keyboard. All keys circular within metal rings. Keys have black lettering on white background. Lettering on seven keys illegible.

More Information