A Groundbreaking Creation
In 1865, Danish inventor Rasmus Malling-Hansen developed the Hansen Writing Ball, recognized as the first commercially produced typewriter. This innovative device featured a brass hemisphere with 52 keys arranged to optimize typing speed. Malling-Hansen strategically placed frequently used letters under the fastest fingers, with vowels on the left and consonants on the right. This design enabled rapid and efficient typing.
Advancements and Recognition
Malling-Hansen continued to refine his invention, patenting an improved model in 1874 that replaced the original cylinder with a flat mechanical paper frame. Further enhancements in 1875 led to a more compact and user-friendly version. The Writing Ball garnered acclaim at various exhibitions, including the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair and the 1878 Paris Exposition, where it received prestigious awards.
Notable User: Friedrich Nietzsche
German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, facing vision problems, acquired a Hansen Writing Ball in 1882 to aid his writing. Despite initial enthusiasm, Nietzsche encountered difficulties with the machine, partly due to damage during transportation. He composed approximately 60 manuscripts using the device and even penned a poem about his experiences with it.
Legacy and Rarity
The Hansen Writing Ball was sold in several European countries and remained in use in some offices as late as 1909. However, its handcrafted production limited widespread adoption, and it was eventually surpassed by mass-produced typewriters like the Sholes and Glidden model. Today, only a few of the original machines exist, making them highly sought after by collectors and museums.
In 1865, Danish inventor Rasmus Malling-Hansen built the Hansen Writing Ball, a typewriter unlike any before it. With a unique key layout for speed, it won awards and fascinated many. Even Friedrich Nietzsche used one, but his experience with it was not what he expected.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/6QsX3g4f7S
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 5, 2025