Historical information

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.

Physical description

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.

Inscriptions & markings

Royal National Institute for the Blind label attached.