multigraph

A multigraph is a hybrid machine that combines keyboard-driven typesetting with direct printing, designed for high-volume office work in the early-to-mid twentieth century. Instead of composing type by hand or sending work to a commercial printer, an operator could set copy via keys, then print directly without manual removal and inking of type. The machine sat between a typewriter and a small offset press in capability and speed, making it attractive to banks, insurance companies, and large offices that needed multiple printed copies with consistent quality.

The core mechanism uses a type-supply drum loaded with sorts arranged in a grid. When the operator strikes a key, a mechanical linkage selects the correct letter from the drum, transfers it to a rotating printing drum or platen, and positions it for impression. This semi-automatic transfer eliminated the tedium of hand-composing but retained enough simplicity that office staff could operate it without extensive training. Some models allowed the operator to set standing type on a composing stick and lock it into the machine for repeated impressions.

Printing Methods and Output

Multigraphs offered two main printing modes. In ribbon mode, an inked cloth ribbon passes over the type, creating a typewriter-like impression with crisp but slightly lighter characters. In direct mode, the type itself was inked from a small roller, or a pre-inked stereotype plate was clamped in place and struck against paper, producing darker, more professional-looking output closer to that of a printing press. The choice depended on whether copy needed to look typed or printed, and whether the volume justified the setup time for a plate.

The machine's speed ranged from roughly 60 to 120 impressions per minute depending on the model and mode, significantly faster than hand-setting but slower than a dedicated printing press. Multiple copies required feeding fresh sheets through the machine or using a small treadle or motor to advance the platen between strikes. Paper capacity was limited, typically a few hundred sheets at a time, making the multigraph suitable for runs of 50 to 5,000 copies rather than high-volume production.

Multigraphs faced obsolescence in the 1950s and 1960s as photocopiers, spirit duplicators, and small offset presses became cheaper and faster. The name itself derived from the concept of making multiple identical graphs or impressions from a single composition, reflecting the industrial mindset of the era. Surviving machines are now chiefly of interest to historians of printing technology and collectors of mechanical office equipment.