The Hammond Typewriter Company was founded in 1880 in New York City. The company moved a few times but eventually settled on the East River, between East 69th and 70th streets.
It would occupy several locations in Manhattan, eventually settling between 69th and 70th Streets, on the East River.
The company produced at least ten models under the Hammond brand between 1880 and 1923. The company was later renamed Varityper, and after its purchase by Ralph C. Coxhead, took off in a new direction. The Varityper company would continue until 1970, but inside it was always a Hammond.
The history of Hammond begins with John Jonathan Pratt, an Alabama plantation owner and lawyer. While serving as the Editor of the newspaper he owned, Pratt set to work inventing what he would call the Pterotype. This primitive type writing machine was the first machine invented by an American offered to the public for sale.
In 1879, James Bartlett Hammond would purchase Pratt’s patent in exchange for a lifetime annuity, and redesign it into the Hammond typewriter.
Beginning with the Number 1 around 1885.
Ca. 1888 – Model 1B
Ca. 1890 – Model 1 Universal
Ca. 1895 – The Anvil and Shuttle
Ca. 1897 – Hammond Braille also with chiclet keys.
Ca. 1897 – No. 2
Ca. 1906 – No. 12
Ca. 1913 – The Multiplex
Ca. 1915 – Model 26
Ca. 1917 – Hammond Portable
Ca. 1920 – The Folding Multiplex
Ca. 1923 – The Hammond Electric
