Is this the first machine to set a line of type? It is certainly not the blower machine.
Found this photo on:-
http://letterology.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/what-i-did-on-my-summer-vacation-10.html (http://letterology.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/what-i-did-on-my-summer-vacation-10.html)
(https://metaltype.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs7.postimg.org%2F8xz5wb1az%2Ffirst_linotype.jpg&hash=6cc7b6c4058f82c699d4f8544265545e0135a7a7) (http://postimage.org/)
QuoteThe very first Linotype machine invented by Ottmar Mergenthaler in 1885. This machine was the first to produce Lines-o-type automatically by keyboard operation. It ushered in machine typesetting compostion and revolutionized book and newspaper production.
It looks like a band machine.
Very interesting article, they seem to have a huge collection at the Museum of Printing in North Andover.
I particularly liked the picture of the Moon Landing stereo plate, good that someone had the foresight to keep it.
(https://metaltype.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs23.postimg.org%2Fmqaztk6bv%2FMoon_Walk_595.jpg&hash=e7b286fc6027d5d626ec7dee75e2c390fe33132b) (http://postimage.org/)
Note: The "Add image to post" feature of the Forum has recently been upgraded. Where previously a thumbnail was posted that needed to be clicked on "to take a closer look" there is now a dropdown list of options. This image has been posted using the "640X480 (for message boards)" option.
Taking a close look at the imposed form it is interesting that the photo is a full blown old style zinc engraving, yet the main headline is one of the "new style" thin zincs that became a popular cheaper replacement for things that came from the process department.
Looking at the kerning on the main headline it was clearly either photo-set or a clever paste-up person has done some hand kerning.
Cheers
John