1910 Bennett Portable

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Mechanically Ingenous “Pocketable” Typewriter

This delightfully unique "portable" typewriter has what many believe is the smallest keyboard typewriter ever produced. In its own way the Bennett Portable was trying to fill the need for on-the-go portability akin to the modern day equivalent of a laptop or tablet computer — except in 1910 all it could do was type.

Instead of type bars, this machine uses a type drum, similar to the Blickensderfer typewriter, and an ingenious system of keys that push against a stunningly simple system of hinged levers that rotate the type drum, press the drum against a tiny 11 mm ribbon and impress the selected character onto the paper.

With elegant compact simplicity, the machine even includes a space key, a capital shift key, a figure shift key and a single-space paper advance lever. It also includes a ribbon reverse “slider” on the frame just above the keyboard.

The machine is clearly a "portable" machine but its advertising also describes it is "pocketable." It is hard to imagine an actual coat pocket large enough to hold the Bennett, but it is an interesting idea.

The decals are in excellent condition.
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The 1910 Bennett Portable uses a 3-row, Qwerty, 28-key, thrust action type drum mechanism.
Overall condition: Good. The ribbon simply needs to be re-inked.
Year: 1910
Serial No.: 14695
Type language: English
Manufactured by the Bennett Typewriter Company, New York, New York, USA.