Old Antique ADLER No 7 Portable TYPEWRITER
The Adler Company first began making typewriters, bicycles, and
motorized vehicles in late 19th century Germany. The company later
merged with Triumph to form the TZ Triumph-Adler AG company. The
company's first typewriter was the Empire and was introduced in 1898.
This machine featured a push-rod mechanism with typebars laying
horizontally. When the user struck a key, the machine thrust the typebar
forward. This was a significantly different design from other
typewriters of the time which mostly used an upstroke or downstroke
action.
The Empire model was soon replaced by the No. 7, of
which this machine is an example. The N0. 7 added additional features
but retained the core push-rod style of the Empire. Adler went on to
produce the No. 7 and its variants until the early 1930s. This
particular example comes from the early 1900s and is a good
specimen.
The look and typing action of these early
Adlers is unmistakable, and a thing of beauty. These machines originate
from a time when typewriter designers were still trying to decide what
methods of keyboard layout, typebar configuration, and basic design were
best. Though the Adler design later lost out to the front-strike
machine design that became the norm, they are all the more unique
because of it. There's nothing quite like using an antique design that
has long ago faded into history, and this Adler is a perfect example of a
forgotten, yet working, relic from the age of machinery.
Mechanically,
this Adler is in good condition. All the keys appear to work.