Interlinear Embossing Press of New York Point

Braillewriters of NYISE

Interlinear Embossing Press of New York Point
ca. 1914

20th century Interlinear Embossing Press

19th century Interlinear Embossing Press

Designed by William Bell Wait to produce New York Point embossed reading material for the blind, the machine pictured above has been laid quiet for many decades. This version of his "Interlinear Embossing Press" differs in many way from the one pictured to the left from a 1894 Annual Report.

The machines are designed to print braille on both sides of the paper at once in order to save on paper use.

A view of the embossing plate with positive NY Point dots on the metal plate master. A hair brush roller kept the plate clean of paper debris.

The left gear assemblies used to crank the rollers.

The left and right gear assemblies used to crank the rollers.

Side view of the printer showing a junction box and electrical switches.

Inside view of the space between 2 rollers

Inside view of the space between 2 rollers showing a secondary metal embossed positive metal plate that printed NY Point on the back side of the paper.

The roller opposite to the plate is grooved to prevent the embossing from being crushed on the backside of the paper.

The embossing press at work at the school circa 1890.
Links:

History of Reading Codes for the Blind
The War of the Dots by Richard Irwin (1955)
Fact Sheet on Braille Writers, Printers and Software, Abledata
Braille Technology, AFB
Braille Embossers, Sighted Electronics
Five-Minute Introduction to Braille

Braillewriters of NYISE

Top of Page

Return to School History Pages - Adaptive Aids Page

For additional school information contact:
The New York Institute for Special Education
Kim Benisatto, Operations Manager
999 Pelham Parkway Bronx, New York 10469 USA
Phone: (718) 519-7000 Ext. 315 Fax: (718) 231-9314