History of Braillewriters

by Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated June 19, 2025
Are you fascinated by braillewriters or simply love the beauty of braille? Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just discovering braille for the first time, the history of braille writing machines is a journey of ingenuity and innovation. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend visiting the American Printing House for the Blind Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, which houses an incredible collection of historic braillewriters. I had the privilege of viewing APH’s collection in 2019, and it was truly inspiring to see the evolution of braille technology up close. The following overview highlights some of the most notable braillewriters in history, many of which are featured in APH’s collection. You can read more about each one on the APH Museum website.

Hall Braillewriter

Invented: 1892
Inventor: Frank Haven Hall
Location: Jacksonville, Illinois
Inspired by the typewriter, the Hall Braillewriter was introduced on May 27, 1892. Its piano-like keys allowed for faster braille entry compared to using a slate and stylus. It is recognized as one of the first practical mechanical braillewriters.

Picht Braillewriter

Invented: 1899
Inventor: Oscar Picht
Location: Bromberg, Germany
This elegant machine used 9-inch-wide paper fed on a wooden drum. The keys, made of wood with tactile metal dots, allowed the user to feel the corresponding braille dot configuration. It remains one of the most beautifully crafted early braillewriters. 

Early Perkins Braillewriter

Developed: Circa 1900
An early version of the now-iconic Perkins Brailler, this model had a rounded front and borrowed elements from the Hall design. It laid the groundwork for the development of the modern Perkins Braillewriter in the 20th century.

Banks Pocket Writer

Released: 1928
Produced by: IBM
Distributed by: Lions Clubs
This compact device used half-inch-wide tape for brailling on the go. Its pocket size made it ideal for portability, especially during a time when few accessible writing tools existed for individuals with visual impairments.

Foundation Writer

Developed: 1932
By: American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Created in an experimental workshop, this braillewriter was made entirely of polished stainless steel. Its sleek, durable design was an early attempt at improving both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of braillewriters.

New Hall Braillewriter

Produced: 1940–1972
This was a modernized version of the original Hall Braillewriter, redesigned to be more durable, lightweight, and user-friendly. It retained the basic structure of Hall’s invention but updated the mechanics for mid-20th-century users. 

Atkinson Portable Braillewriter

Developed: 1945
Designed to keep paper flat during embossing, this model featured a stationary embossing head while the paper moved below it. It introduced an innovative mechanical approach that influenced future designs.

Light Brailler

Produced: Circa 1950
Developed in: Japan
This uniquely designed braillewriter operated differently from most others—it moved sideways across the paper to produce braille. Its movement and layout set it apart from the standard top-to-bottom embossing methods.

Lavender Braillewriter

Produced: 1962–1982
Made from high-impact plastic, the Lavender Braillewriter was lightweight and compact with rectangular keys. However, the plastic body was prone to warping over time, leading to its discontinuation. Its design and color palette reflect the 1960s–70s era of innovation.​

The Perkins Braillewriter

Released: 1951
Invented by: David Abraham, Gabriel Farrell, and Edward Waterhouse
This iconic model was developed at the Perkins School for the Blind by woodworking teacher David Abraham, with support from director Gabriel Farrell and math teacher Edward Waterhouse. The Perkins Brailler became the gold standard for braillewriters and continues to be used around the world today.

​Explore the Legacy

The evolution of the braillewriter tells a story of innovation, accessibility, and empowerment. These machines made it possible for generations of braille readers to write independently, shaping how individuals with visual impairments learn, work, and communicate. To see these braillewriters in person, plan a visit to the APH Museum in Louisville, KY, or watch for the traveling exhibit. If you love braille like I do, it’s an unforgettable experience!

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