The Yost typewriter was the invention of George Washington Newton Yost, one of the key pioneers in the emergence of the first manufactured typewriters. "No ribbon, Direct printing, permanent alignment." This line from a 1890 display ad clearly states the two principles that Yost felt were most important to incorporate into the design of his typing machine -- direct printing and accurate alignment. Inking is done by a felt pad positioned in a full circle around the top of the tower where the type-bars rest. The type-bars travel an intricate half-flip upwards to reach the platen and then are channeled, by an inverse pyramid shaped guide hole, to strike the platen in exactly the same spot every time, giving the accurate alignment that Yost demanded. The Martin Howard Collection