Burt Typographer, 1829.

UNITED STATES - JUNE 05: Replica. Patented by William Austin Burt of Detroit, Michigan, United States in 1829, this was the first writing machine to give acceptable results. A swinging arm carries a type-sector which is inked and pressed down to print the required letter, after which the paper is positioned for the next letter by means of the clock dial at the end. Line spacing is achieved by moving the whole mechanism across the top of the box. Burt's original patent model was destroyed by fire in 1836 but was reconstructed in 1893. The Typographer seen here is a replica of this. (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)