tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post5574334578703834310..comments2024-03-25T15:02:25.695+11:00Comments on oz.Typewriter: Mystery of the Gubelmann Typewriter: The Underwood 3 PortableRobert Messengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04366507489948676594noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post-58170275333686873672024-03-10T01:48:47.748+11:002024-03-10T01:48:47.748+11:00I’m hoping you are still receiving messages from t...I’m hoping you are still receiving messages from this post. This typewriter has been in my family and in my closet for years. Underwood 17705779-5 licensed under Gubelmann Pat November 9th,1915. I’m having a hard time finding any information. Any help would<br />Be appreciated Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post-14322114923003988082013-07-16T16:27:06.129+10:002013-07-16T16:27:06.129+10:00Yes, thank you,it's quite interesting.Yes, thank you,it's quite interesting.Robert Messengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04366507489948676594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post-69722717453183511882013-07-16T16:20:05.911+10:002013-07-16T16:20:05.911+10:00Just found this site here; it's quite interest...Just found this site here; it's quite interesting.<br /><br />As for the suspicious Gubelmann patent: I searched the internet (again) about what exactly this patent could be about and found your page here. I'm from Germany and own an Underwood Model 5 with german keyboard layout and some special types for the german language, such as ß, ö, ü and ä. Using its serial no. I was able to track down the year this very machine was built to 1927. And: this machine has the same decal on its backside as your model 3, saying it was licensed under that exact ominous Gubelmann patent. Years ago, I saw pictures of other model 5's on the internet (e.g. ebay), and they all wear this decal - so Gubelmann was to be mentioned for whatever reason at least during the 1920s by Underwood not only on the model 3 but also on the "desktop version" model 5.<br /><br />Thought you might find this information a bit helpful or even interesting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post-11842089877785859292013-05-07T03:07:56.142+10:002013-05-07T03:07:56.142+10:00We were in the garage this morning and found this ...We were in the garage this morning and found this typewriter it says<br />plainly licensed under Gubelmann<br />Nov 9, 1915.<br />The keyboard is different to get<br />the numbers are listed on the letter keys and to get a letter push down<br />on the shift key also the keyboard is not a regular keyboard, when you put your fingers on the keys there is only one space. It is in good conditions and the case is really<br />unique. I would appreciate your<br />comments on this.<br />Thanks,<br />my hsb repaired typewriters and business machine all of his working <br />career.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post-73508874202584434972013-01-16T21:04:17.878+11:002013-01-16T21:04:17.878+11:00You guys have made some very good points here and ...You guys have made some very good points here and I'm a bit surprised no one else has gone checking their machines for similar "hidden" patent decals. I'm certain I can't be the only one to have overlooked this one.<br />Like Ray, I was unaware of the Selden situation and I thank you for pointing that out to us. Very interesting. <br />One key issue here is that Burridge designed the Underwood 3 in 1915 and died soon after, and the machine was put on hold until 1919 for reasons no one can explain. Maybe this patent (dispute?) was the cause?<br />The other point is that Gubelmann applied for the patent away back in 1889, but it was not issued until 1915. That's an inordinately long wait of 26 years! That in itself seems highly suspicious to me.<br />I'd like to hear from others, as Ray suggestions. Gubelmann has never been mentioned in regard to the early development of the typewriter, but I'd be surprised if the Underwood 3 was on its own here. By the way, the patent application is 83 pages long, so it takes some reading.Robert Messengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04366507489948676594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post-82513062798782269472013-01-13T15:43:56.557+11:002013-01-13T15:43:56.557+11:00If I had a typewriter of the same vintage I would ...If I had a typewriter of the same vintage I would check. It'll be interesting to hear what others might find.Raynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post-12492587487528488462013-01-13T14:52:44.692+11:002013-01-13T14:52:44.692+11:00Yes, Ray, and that's what intrigues me most, b...Yes, Ray, and that's what intrigues me most, because, if someone like Robert hadn't heard of that patent before, it means it was very much hidden from view. But for Gubelmann to be credited pretty much as "having invented the typewriter and adding machines as we know it", it means that he had some meaningful role in the early stages of their inception. <br /><br />It would be interesting to take a closer look to that Gubelmann patent, just to see what entitled him to receive royalties from Underwood and, presumably, from other typewriter manufacturers. Miguel Chávezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09411154570699775904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post-58244625811752977522013-01-13T10:33:29.892+11:002013-01-13T10:33:29.892+11:00What a fascinating post. The Gubelman family have ...What a fascinating post. The Gubelman family have quite an interesting story.<br /><br />Miguel, if that were the explanation would we expect to see more references to a Gubelman patent on other typewriters of the period? I never knew that story about the Selden patent for automobiles. I'm learning lots of great stuff today.Raynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post-29886272020109641082013-01-13T01:58:51.404+11:002013-01-13T01:58:51.404+11:00So, what was this patent about? For some reason I ...So, what was this patent about? For some reason I have a feeling this was a case analogous to the famous (or infamous) Selden patent applied to typewriters. <br /><br />Georgw B. Selden was a patent lawyer that applied for a patent in 1895 for an automobile. He presented the idea of a self-propelled carriage fitted with an engine, and after that, and during many years, every American car manufacturer had to pay him royalties for use of "his" patent. <br /><br />This was challenged in court by Henry Ford, who, after a long battle (and when it was only months before the Selden patent expired) could demonstrate that the vehicle described in the patent was fundamentally different to the ones built at the time. But Ford was the Maverick (pun intended); all other companies had not only to pay royalties to Selden, but their cars had to have a badge that said they were built "in accordance with the Selden patent". <br /><br />Perhaps this Gubelmann patent was for something similar? The *idea* of a machine to imprint numbers and letters on paper, but not an actual design every manufacturer used? If so, more than an inventor, I'd call him a shark... Miguel Chávezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09411154570699775904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248447883714712696.post-38812541494775006342013-01-13T01:42:11.488+11:002013-01-13T01:42:11.488+11:00How interesting, thanks for this post.How interesting, thanks for this post.shordzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04824301365798484902noreply@blogger.com