A paper-ruling machine is a device for ruling paper. In 1770, John Tetlow was awarded a patent for a "machine for ruling paper for music and other purposes."[1] William Orville Hickok invented an "improved ruling machine" in the mid-19th century.[2] As the device is designed for drawing lines on paper, it can produce tables and ruled paper.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Specimens_of_type%2C_borders%2C_ornaments%2C_brass_rules_and_cuts%2C_etc._-_catalogue_of_printing_machinery_and_materials%2C_wood_goods%2C_etc_%281897%29_%2814785726033%29.jpg/220px-Specimens_of_type%2C_borders%2C_ornaments%2C_brass_rules_and_cuts%2C_etc._-_catalogue_of_printing_machinery_and_materials%2C_wood_goods%2C_etc_%281897%29_%2814785726033%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Hickok_ruling_pens.jpg/220px-Hickok_ruling_pens.jpg)
The functionality of the machine is based on pens manufactured especially for the device. The pens have multiple tips side by side, and water-based ink is led into them along threads. It is possible to program stop-lines on the equipment by mounting pens on shafts equipped with cams that lower and raise them at predetermined points.[3]
The spread of computerized accounting between the 1960s and 1980s significantly decreased the demand for accounting tables and ruled paper. Nowadays, their demand is primarily filled by using offset printing.[3]
References
edit- ^ Woodcroft, Bennet (1854). Alphabetical Index of Patentees of Inventions: From March 2, 1617 (14 James I.) to October 1, 1852 (16 Victoriæ). Queen's Printing Office.
- ^ "Bookbinders' Specialties, Ruling Machine, O-A Striker Machine - The W.O. Hickok Manufacturing Company". 2016-01-26. Archived from the original on 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
- ^ a b "The Pen Ruler". American Bookbinders Museum. 2016-09-24.