The original Hall Braille writer was modelled on the typewriter and was the first successful mechanical point writer. Frank Haven Hall, Superintendent of the Illinois Institution for the Blind, introduced his invention to the public on 27 May, 1892 at Jacksonville, Illinois. It was manufactured by Harrison and Seifried, Chicago, ca 1892. The carriage moves one space to the left as the keys are released. The styli in the embossing heads are controlled by the keys as are the bars on a typewriter. The styli operate from the back so that letters appear in the normal position for reading. Braille writers enable all dots in a Braille cell to be created simultaneously. This model was found in the Braille and Talking Book Library in South Yarra prior to the staff departure in 2000. Presumably used by either staff or volunteers at the library.Braille writer with a key board like a piano with black wooden keys on an ivory board. The body is made from heavy cast iron with a black lacquer.Painted in gold on top of the machine: "The Hall Braille Writer / patent pendingbraille equipment, assistive devices

Henry Stainsby (1859-1925), Supt. of the Birmingham Royal Institution for the Blind, (later General Secretary of the British & Foreign Blind Association) along with Birmingham manufacturer Albert Wayne, introduced their Shorthand Braille Writer, circa 1910-1940. Used at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. These machines were often supplied with a case, to deaden the sound when in use. The machine was designed to take down verbatim reports from dictation. As the strip of paper passes automatically through the machine, no time is needed to adjust the paper or the machine for each line. Speeds of 80 - 140 words per minute can be obtained.Contained in a dark blue case which folds down to reveal the keys, this portable Braille writer has six flat keys in front and a space key, attached to a marking device at the back. A roll of thin white paper is mounted on an attachment to the side of the machine, and the paper is threaded along a channel at the top of the machine and comes out the other side in a continuous roll. A red round rubber guard is just behind the keys. Royal National Institute for the Blind label attached.braille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

The St Dunstans braille writer was modelled on the German Picht model, which enabled the writer to read what was written immediately by place the embossed character upwards of the carriage. Named after the organisation, it used a different finger technique than the Stainsby-Wayne machine that was predominantly available, and was lighter to carry.Black and silver Braille typewriter, with six keys and a large key (space bar) in front. At the back of the keys is a roller arrangement (similar to a typewriter) where paper is placed.St Dunstans Mark II. Ser. No. 575braille equipment, assistive devices

Tatrapoint Standard is a manual braille writer designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. It is manufactured in the Slovakian republic. This mechanical, six-key brailler uses normal braille paper on a roll. It has a robust design, and is quiet, safe, and easy to operate. Features include adjustable left and right margins, a bell that rings five cells before the end of the line, carriage release and backspace keys, and built-in Dymo tape clips for embossing dymo tape. Precise paper transport allows exact readjustment for corrections in previously written text.Blue metal body with 7 keys and silver metal scrollbraille equipment, assistive devices

A plastic device to enable a sighted person to communicate with a person who is Deaf-Blind in either standard Braille or Moon. The centre radius of the disc has the ordinary alphabet printed in black. Moving outwards from the centre, are the corresponding letters embossed in Braille, then on the outer edge are the corresponding letters in Moon. The user moved the indicator arm around the disc until the desired letter and corresponding symbol was positioned under the cut-out in the centre of the arm. The deaf-blind person could then touch the disc to determine the letters being communicated. Numbers and punctuation are not included.White plastic disc with black indicator armbraille equipment, assistive devices

A small, writer for note paper or index cards, designed by an East German company production started in 1980 and continued in the former DDR until 1989.Metal braille machine with red base and 7 white wood keysMechanische Werkstatt fur Blindenhilfsmittel der DDR 7033 Liepzig Burgauenstrabe 9braille equipment, picht

Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! Various metal hand frames accompanied by a metal stylus with wooden handle. Some include a wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable as a firm base was needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. Transcribing maths was an extremely complex task and a metal grid was utilised to reproduce graphs and diagrams.1 wooden hand frame with metal grid and metal and wooden stylus, 1 metal maths grid with metal pegs in metal container inside a brown suitcase and numerous sheets of Braille paperT.C. Coughlin 5 doz sausage rolls Wilmington Southend is written inside the lid of the suitcasebraille equipment, james murphy

Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! This wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. The metal clasp at the top of the frame held the wooden which kept paper from slipping. This donation includes the signature of Miss B Yoxon, who was a student that transcribed braille around the 1920's for the Victorian Association of Braille Writers, and the owner of this board and textbook. Some originals of her work and a translated letter from her friend James Grubb accompany the frame. 1 wooden board and Braille paper, with 1 Braille text bookbraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers

Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! This wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. The metal clasp at the top of the frame held the wooden which kept paper from slipping. Sometimes the board was labelled with organisational labels. In this example, the Rules of Membership for the Victorian Association of Braille Writers was attached, which included the costs of being a transcribing member and the length of the loan period. It is signed by Millicent Ritchie (Hon. Secretary) and Minnie H Crabb (Asst Sec and Librarian) at the base of the sheet.Brown rectangular wooden board with hinged paper clamp and metal hinged guideFree Lending Library for the Blind label is attached to boardbraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers

Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! This wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. The metal clasp at the top of the frame held the wooden which kept paper from slipping.Brown plastic rectangular hand frame with holes evenly spaced on either long side. Hinged Braille metal guide with space for 2 rows of Braille, each 35 cells long. braille equipment, rnib

This wooden board, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure when transcribing. The metal hinge held paper on the board, and a row of holes either side of the board held a frame in place, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page.1 wooden back board with metal hingeRVIB logo and name attached to board, partially hidden by hingebraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

The Eureka A4 was invented in Melbourne by Milan Hudacek, and designed to capitalise on the growth of IBM PCs. It attached to the PC and allowed blind and vision impaired people to utilise screen orientated programs. It had a sockets for telephone lines, a Braille keyboard, an inbuilt disk drive, speed and volume controls as as well outlets for data ports and headphones. The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (now a part of Vision Australia) received both the Eureka Award and the Qantas Rolls Royce Award in 1990 for its participation in the development and promotion of the Eureka A4 computer. It was the first computer of its kind, designed specifically for people who are blind or vision impaired.1 black rectangular box with grey and orange keys with advertising leafletSerial no: 1897braille equipment, assistive devices, milan hudacek

Wooden braille board with wooden header, hinged with brass hinges and small pins to clamp the paper to the board. Metal frames on each side hold a rod across the front of the board. The rod is fixed to two moveable parts which can go up or down the board as required.1 wooden back board with metal flanges either sideroyal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment

Black box containing a Matrix Braille writing machine, with a paper spool attached to the feeding mechanism. The front portion of box is hinged and lifts up to reveal keyboard. Top half of box lifts to reveal Braille writer which is bolted to a wooden base that can be lifted out. The base is secured with a metal latch. Machine has black keys and the wooden case has black leather-like covering, hinged lid, metal clasps, and leather handle on the side. "Model G, Matrix, Coventry Gauge & Tool Company, Ltd., No. 792, For The Royal National Institute for the Blind, London W.I." is stamped on the front,Black vinyl-covered case containing black metal writer and paper spool"Model G, Matrix, Coventry Gauge & Tool Company, Ltd., No. 792, For The Royal National Institute for the Blind, London W.I." is stamped on the front.braille equipment, royal national institute for the blind

The second version of the Versabraille system, which appeared in 1987, reflected the change from cassette to floppy disks and an enhanced method to produce 128 standard ASCII characters. Light brown coloured plastic square object with brown covering box and transformer with cord TSIbraille equipment, assistive devices

Henry Stainsby (1859-1925), Supt. of the Birmingham Royal Institution for the Blind, (later General Secretary of the British & Foreign Blind Association) along with Birmingham manufacturer Albert Wayne, introduced their Shorthand Braille Writer, circa 1910-1940. Used at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. These machines were often supplied with a case, to deaden the sound when in use. The machine was designed to take down verbatim reports from dictation. As the strip of paper passes automatically through the machine, no time is needed to adjust the paper or the machine for each line. Speeds of 80 - 140 words per minute can be obtained.Black metal typewriter which has seven keys and a small reel of paper415 Stainsby-Wayne Embossed Shorthand Typewriter Patented * Alfred Wayne * Birm, ENGbraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Designed to create an impression on paper, the slate allows users to create Braille by guiding the stylus into the correct alignment to produce Braille, through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. In this example, the frame has two side hinges which allow it to sit over the paper edge, and four lines of Braille could be written.1 metal Braille frame with four lines of Braille windowsPerkins Model 140 RVIB sticker has been attached to the back of the framebraille equipment, assistive devices

The Jot a Dot Pocket Brailler is a portable, manual Braille writer designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This small, lightweight brailler has six keys for Braille entry. The keys have high contrast colors for identification by users with low vision. Braille is written from the left hand side of the page to the right, with 20 cells of braille per line. The user can read Braille as it is written by turning the unit over. A built-in reading stand keeps the unit stable when resting on hard surfaces. Tactile line and cell indicators show the current location on the page. The line indicator shows which line is being Brailled, and the cell indicator shows the position of the embossing head on the line. By turning the device over, the user can read the Braille as they write it. This Brailler uses standard photocopy paper in A5 and A6 paper sizes. The unit is constructed in one piece, so there are no parts that can be lost. 1 rectangular blue Braille unit with 6 bright green keys Yellow sticker LN017a on front. On back Jot a Dot F07077 sponsored by Guide Dogs. braille equipment, assistive devices

Designed to create an impression on paper, the stylus allows users to create Braille through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. Used in combination with a slate to guide placement, this was the primary source of Braille books in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century before Braille typewriters were commonly used. In this example the handle is made of Vulcanite (according to the RNIB Illustrated Catalogue of Apparatus and Games, 1968), and the metal tip can be shielded by rotating the rounded section near the tip, which loosens and drops down.1 stylus with metal tipbraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Designed to create an impression on paper, the stylus allows users to create Braille through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. Used in combination with a slate to guide placement, this was the primary source of Braille books in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century before Braille typewriters were commonly used. In this example the handle is made of boxwood (according to the RNIB Illustrated Catalogue of Apparatus and Games, 1968), and is the standard model.1 wooden stylus with metal tipbraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Designed to create an impression on paper, the stylus allows users to create Braille through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. However sometimes mistakes were made and rather than re-emboss the whole page, a Braille eraser was sometimes used by flattening out indentation on card, one dot at a time.1 wooden piece with blunted tipbraille equipment, association for the blind

Designed to create an impression on paper, the stylus allows users to create Braille through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. Used in combination with a slate to guide placement, this was the primary source of Braille books in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century before Braille typewriters were commonly used. In this example the handle is made of plastic and it has a metal tip.1 plastic stylus with metal tipbraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

This wooden board has hinged flap to allow paper to be inserted, and two tacks under on the lower part secure the paper. The top flap is then closed and a metal clasp holds it firmly in place. A row of holes either side of the board, allow for a hand frame to be attached, to guide the writer in maintaining straightness when transcribing.Wooden rectangular Braille hand frame with holes evenly spaced and built in hinged paper clamp. Pivoted metal Braille guide with two rows of Braille, each 25 cells long. 'Armitage memorial' pressed into framebraille equipment, association for the blind

Alfred Wayne & Co. produced a number of braille writers over the years, including The Visible. Alfred Wayne (1854-1926) was listed as a 'manufacturer of small novelties in metal and steel' in the 1901, however by the 1911 census he had turned his company into a 'manufacturer of apparatus for use of the blind'. Together with Henry Stainsbury, they produced a number of braille typewriters as well as the more well know crab design of the Stainsby-Wayne brailler.Cast iron Brailler. The body of the Braille writer is painted in black with silver and gold painted inscriptions. Seven metal oval keys are situated at the front of the machine. The roller for turning the paper is made from turned wood.Marked: Painted on front of machine: "The visible/manufactured by/Alfred Wayne/Handsworth/Brimingham. Englandbraille equipment, assistive devices

The Taylor Slate was developed by Rev. William Taylor in England in the mid 19th century it was in common use until the early 1970's and enabled blind or vision impaired students to do maths calculations by arranging metal pegs in the slate. The main part of the slate is a metal sheet with 432, 8 sided holes which small metal pegs are inserted. The pegs have different shapes on their ends. These are used to represent different numbers and symbols depending on the way the pegs are placed in the slate and which combinations of pegs are used.1 silver rectangular metal mathematical slate including tray braille equipment, education

As Australia had not yet commenced production of adaptive items for the low vision and blindness community, many were purchased directly from the Royal National Institute for the Blind in London. This price list shows the variety of products on offer and the costs involved for each. Bankers cheques or money orders were required to send payment to the UK, and there was a range of games, tools and living aids as well as Braille equipment on offer.12 page booklet of items and prices assistive devices, royal national institute for the blind

Articles include the production of Christmas cards for purchase, a visit by the Chief Secretary Hon. A. Rylah who advised that the Free Library Scheme was for municipal councils and that instead a State Library Council (which was being formed) would be a better source of relief, offers of help to contact potential overseas suppliers for electronic and braille equipment, the organisation of the Reservoir auxiliary, establishment of a Machines Committee to look at mechanized forms of Braille production and the possibility of entering into talking book production, improvements to heating, cooking and lighting, needing to use discretion when hiring hall due to an unfortunate incident, donations of Perkins Braillers, brailling of Decimal conversion charts, agreement in prinicipal to a National Braille Reference Library in Canberra, and purchase of Perkins and Stainsby Braillers to improve output of Braille books.32 pages of text with drawingsbraille library of victoria, corporation records

A gold bronze plastic case with zip containing 3 braille set squares with 3 pins and perforator. Set squares made from yellow plastic. Marked: Chinese inscriptions on the set squares. 3 orange set square with Braille, 3 red tipped pins and an orange perforatorassistive devices, association for the blind

This device, which consists of 2 slideable cork balls on nylon thread, is designed to gauge the height of liquid (hot or cold) in a receptacle such as a tumbler, jug, bowl without having to touch the liquid with the fingers. Print instructions are included with the instrument on how to operate the instrument, the instructions mention a braille copy is included, however this copy is missing. 2 slideable cork balls on nylon thread with instruction leaflet, inside cardboard boxRoyal National Institute for the Blind Liquid dispenser Catalogue no. 9290assistive devices, equipment

An aid for learning the points of the compass. A circular aluminium plate mounted on a wooden base and embossed with 16 raised lines radiating from the center. 16 small plates each brailled with a different compass direction are provided. The set is accompanied by an instruction sheet. 1 silver aluminium plate on a larger black wooden circle with 16 metal spikes around edge housed in a cardboard box and 16 rectangular aluminum plates.assistive devices, orientation and mobility