Remington Junior Typewriter (1914–1918) - dairyking98/leonards-wiki GitHub Wiki

Remington Junior Typewriter (1914–1918)

The Remington Junior Typewriter was manufactured between 1914 and 1918 and is distinct from the later model produced in the 1930s. It was Remington’s attempt to offer a more affordable, simplified typewriter for home and small-office use during a period of rapid growth in portable typewriting.

Design and Features

Remington Junior
A Remington Junior (circa 1915) showcasing its three-row “three-bank” keyboard and open-frame design. The ribbon spools are mounted at the back, and the machine’s wide, flat top plate earned it a reputation as a sturdy “luggable” typewriter (Bremerton Typewriter Co., The Filthy Platen).

  • Keyboard and Shifting Mechanism

    • Three-Bank Keyboard: Utilized three rows of keys rather than the typical four-row layout, meaning typists had to rely on extra shifts.
    • Dual-Shift System: Required two shift keys—one for capital letters and one for figures—with a small metal tab acting as a rudimentary shift-lock (The Filthy Platen, Robert Messenger, ozTypewriter).
    • Segment Shift Mechanism: Instead of shifting the entire carriage, the machine moved the typebar basket to produce capitals and figures. This innovative mechanism was a precursor to later Remington designs (The Classic Typewriter Page).

  • Construction and Portability

    • Robust Build: Constructed from heavy cast metal, giving it a sturdy, “luggable” quality rather than true portability.
    • Carrying Case: Supplied with a large carrying case that used hooks and wingnuts to secure the machine. Although provided for transport, the machine’s weight meant it was only marginally portable by modern standards (Bremerton Typewriter Co.).
    • Rear-Mounted Ribbon Spools: Featured an unusual layout with twin ribbon spools mounted at the back of the machine—a design borrowed from contemporaneous models like the Smith Premier No.10 (The Filthy Platen).

  • Other Functional Attributes

    • Limited Controls: Beyond the letter keys, it featured only a backspace key and a margin release lever.
    • Fixed Line Spacing: The carriage advanced by a fixed two-line jump with no option for single-spacing.

Historical Significance

  • Market Positioning and Reception

    • Introduced in 1914 as a more affordable alternative to Remington’s larger office typewriters.
    • Competed with other early portable machines like the Corona 3, specifically targeting home users and small businesses.
    • Despite aggressive advertising—including installment payment plans (e.g., “$5 down and $5 a month”)—the reception was mixed. While it offered an affordable entry into typewriting, its portability and efficiency were often criticized (Contemporary Ads – The Jeffersonian, Robert Messenger, ozTypewriter).

  • Production and Corporate Context

    • Manufactured at the Smith Premier factory in Syracuse, NY, as a result of Remington’s earlier mergers and affiliations.
    • Estimated production was modest (around 10,000 units), contributing to its rarity today.
    • The machine’s design eventually became outdated as the market shifted toward four-bank portable typewriters, and Remington replaced the Junior with more modern designs (such as the Remington Portable #1 in 1920).

  • Legacy

    • Although it was not a major commercial success, the Remington Junior is recognized as a transitional model that bridged Remington’s heavy office machines with the advanced portables of the 1920s.
    • Today, it is valued more as a historical artifact and collector’s item rather than for practical use.

Pricing and Availability

  • Original Pricing (1910s)

    • Affordability: Priced at approximately $50–$60, about half the cost of a full-sized office typewriter.
    • Financing Options: Offered with installment plans (e.g., $5 down and $5 per month) to broaden its appeal.
    • Inflation-Adjusted Value: In today’s dollars, $50 in the 1910s is roughly equivalent to $1,300–$1,600.

  • Modern Market and Collectibility

    • Collector’s Item: Highly prized by typewriter enthusiasts due to its rarity and historical significance.
    • Current Prices: Depending on condition, units typically range from $180 to $300, with exceptionally well-preserved examples fetching higher prices.
    • Availability: Commonly found on auction sites (e.g., eBay), vintage marketplaces (e.g., Etsy), specialty antique dealers, and sometimes in museum collections (e.g., the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney).

Inventors and Patent Information

  • Key Figures in Design

    • Arthur W. Smith and John H. Barr: Credited with designing the machine, leveraging their extensive experience in typewriter engineering.
    • Frank Sholes: Contributed ideas linking the Junior’s design to early typewriter innovations.

  • Patent Documentation

    • Notable Patent: A patent filed on December 24, 1915, by Remington engineer Arthur J. Briggs was granted on February 13, 1917 (U.S. Patent 1,215,612). This patent details the key mechanisms of the Junior, including its segment shift system.
    • Collaborative Innovations: The patent credits John H. Barr for the case-shift mechanism, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the design effort.
    • Additional Patents: Other related patents, such as U.S. Patent 1,232,755 attributed to Barr, further document the innovative engineering behind the machine.

  • Corporate Production and Legacy

    • Production was managed by the Smith Premier factory—a Remington subsidiary—highlighting the integrated corporate strategy following earlier mergers.
    • Later in its production, Remington transitioned part of the design to the American Writing Machine Company (AWMC), which marketed a refined variant known as the “Century 10.”
    • The Junior is now remembered as a stepping stone between Remington’s heavy office machines and the more efficient portables of the 1920s.

Conclusion

The Remington Junior Typewriter (1914–1918) is a significant artifact in the evolution of typewriters. Its innovative segment shift mechanism and affordable design marked a transitional phase between full-sized office machines and the more modern portables of the 1920s. While it did not achieve lasting commercial success, its historical and collectible value endures, celebrated by typewriter enthusiasts and historians alike.

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