reference to the first
practical, visible typewriter. In 1891, the first typewriter was patented by
Thomas Oliver that had visible
type which the operator could see as he typed. Previously, on earlier models, the
type was on the bottom of the cylinder and the operator could not see what was being typed without opening up the typewriter. By 1912, these visible-
type machines were made portable.
—PDC Volume 3 Approved Glossary