Braille Embosser
Maker and role
Perkins Products, Maker
Production date
1970s
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Object detail
Accession number
2013.228
Maker
Production period
Description
Printing machine for embossing braille, size of domestic typewriter. Grey coloured metal. Nine plastic keys to front which are pressed in combination to emboss braille dots on paper. Retractable handle and plastic knobs on each side for feeding paper. Grey vinyl dust cover/ case with domed flap for handle and PERKINS BRAILLER in black.
Brief History
The Perkins Brailler is a form of typewriter with a key corresponding to each of the six dots of the Braille code, a space key, a backspace key, and a line space key. It has two side knobs to advance paper through the machine and a carriage return lever above the keys. The rollers that hold and advance the paper have grooves designed to avoid crushing the raised dots which the Brailler creates.
The original Perkins Brailler was produced in 1951 by David Abraham, a woodworking teacher at the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, Massachusetts. He was asked to create an inexpensive and reliable machine which would allow students to more easily write Braille. The original design has changed little over the year and the Perkins School for the Blind continues to manufacture the Brailler.
The original Perkins Brailler was produced in 1951 by David Abraham, a woodworking teacher at the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, Massachusetts. He was asked to create an inexpensive and reliable machine which would allow students to more easily write Braille. The original design has changed little over the year and the Perkins School for the Blind continues to manufacture the Brailler.
Marks
PERKINS BRAILLER Maker's Mark
DESSIGNED BY DAVID ABRAHAM / MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED BY / HOWE MEMORIAL PRESS / PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND / WATERTOWN , MASS., U.S.A Maker's Plate
Class 4 / Colin M Hand-written
18348 Impressed
DESSIGNED BY DAVID ABRAHAM / MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED BY / HOWE MEMORIAL PRESS / PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND / WATERTOWN , MASS., U.S.A Maker's Plate
Class 4 / Colin M Hand-written
18348 Impressed
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Perkins Products. 1970s. Braille Embosser, 2013.228. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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