Posted by Jane Spangler on August 15, 1999 at 21:27:45:
In Reply to: Re: Applewald posted by Janine on August 08, 1999 at 21:09:43:
> I would believe it to be part of Kittanning as well. The same as Wick City, East Kittanning or West Kittanning. If anyone would know why they called it Applewald would be very interesting. The same as the story behind Typewriter Hill, which I've heard but really don't know the truth.
Since you brought up Typewriter Hill, I thought I'd give you a bit of information I gathered while in Kittanning in 1995 on a NCECA (National Council for the Education of Ceramic Arts) research fellowship.
James "Denny" Daugherty invented the very first "visible" typewriter right there in little ole Kittanning. He was born in Kittanning on Oct. 17, 1855 and was the son of one of its earliest pioneers. He was an inventor and a local court reporter for Armstrong County for over 40 years.
There were other typewriters in use but none like the one Daugherty is credited with inventing. He patented the "Daugherty Visible" in 1881 and also introduced what was referred to as the "ribbon vibrator." In 1891, Daugherty and his friends built a manufacturing plant in Troy Hill. For the next 6 years the company prospered. Unfortunately, about 2500 typewriters were found to be irrevocably defective and the plant went out of business.
Right below the Old Kittanning Cemetery, on what I call the "back street" of Kittanning...sorry but it's late and the street's name is escaping me...just to the right of the old Elk Brewery building is a red brick building that bears Daugherty's name. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, it says Daugherty Typewriter Co. or something to that effect.
Although Mr. Daugherty's first typewriter business failed, he was awarded over 40 patents for various typewriters and computing machines.
A group of Pittsburghers took the "Daugherty Visible" and renamed it the "Pittsburgh Visible" and Denny Daugherty still had a hand in the development of new technologies.
If you'll look at your typewriter (or more likely, your computer keyboard) you will notice the letters "ERTY" side by side on the top tier of letters on the keyboard...these were taken from the last four letters of Daugherty's name.
Just thought someone might find this tidbit of interest.
Bye for now, Jane