Early typewriter. View of an early typewriter. Machines like this one appeared in the late 19th century. Paper was held between the two rubber rollers (top). The letter keys (lower centre) are arrayed in a semi-circular fashion. This was typical of early typewriters. When a key was struck the mechanism would cause the corresponding typebar to strike an inked ribbon. The inked ribbon was held on a spool at upper centre. The striking of the ribbon would cause an ink impression on the paper underneath. Once a character was printed, the paper would be automatically moved on one character space.