Pollytink

I got an email from a friend asking if I could help her i.d. a device, so naturally the QB was the first place I thought of!! am attaching the two pics she sent me, she's wondering what it is and once i.d.'d, is it complete? I don't have a clue and hope someone here can help!!! Thanks much!!

Prism99

I don't think it's complete, as the two metal end rollers were designed to fit into some type of holder. Is the rectangular piece a magnet?

My best guess currently is that it was used to quickly measure a distance to shorten something -- draperies, skirts, jeans.

QuiltnNan

that was my first thought as well

Judy78

It's from a typewriter. You flipped it up and it held the paper upright as you typed so you could read the page. I'm not sure what the lines measured.

Prism99

For the typewriter, I bet it measured how much of the page was used so that you would know when to quit typing and move on to the next page.

Oh, my! To think that typewriters are obsolete........

roserips

But those of us that learned to type sure can appreciate the new key boards and how easy it is to type on them. My fingers could never use one of those old typewriters they no longer have the strength needed to push the key down.

bearisgray

I miss my typewriter - for some things the 'old' versions work better than the new -

two things I miss it for: addressing envelopes
making the labels for hanging folders

chips88

i will keep watching this thread. i want to know what it is also. i have no clue..

margecam52

Can also be from a printer. The numbers were for spacing lines if I recall correctly. They also helped you make sure the paper was in straight.

margecam52

Also...we used it to type labels and post cards, etc...again, helped keep the card in place.