What Are Typewriter Eraser Brushes?
The circular objects in the image are typewriter erasers, which came with a small brush attached to them. The erasers themselves were made from soft materials like rubber, often infused with fine abrasives.
This combination was designed to remove ink or typewriter ribbon marks from paper, which was the
primary method of correcting mistakes on a typed document before the advent of white-out or digital editing.
The small brush on the tool was used to gently whisk away the eraser debris left on the paper after erasing a letter or a word. In an age when typewriters ruled the business and literary worlds, these tools were essential to maintaining neat and professional-looking work.
A Snapshot in Time: When Eraser Brushes Were Essential
In the early to mid-20th century, typewriter eraser brushes were as common as correction fluid or digital backspace keys are today. Every typist had one on their desk because, despite their best efforts, mistakes in typing were inevitable. These tools allowed for correcting those mistakes without the need to retype an entire
page.
Back then, carbon paper was often used for making copies, so one mistake could mean fixing multiple sheets of paper. Eraser brushes were gentle enough not to tear the delicate paper yet effective at removing the erroneous marks.
The Decline of the Typewriter Era
With the rise of word processors and eventually personal computers, typewriters
quickly became obsolete. The need for such specialized erasers faded as digital
text allowed for instantaneous editing. Today, these erasers are rare relics from a
time when typing was both an art and a skill.
For those who remember using these eraser brushes, seeing one today is a nostalgic reminder of how much the world of writing and editing has evolved. The phrase “times have changed” has never been truer, especially when comparing the
challenges of fixing a typewritten document to the ease of modern technology’s undo button.
A Niche Collectible
Today, typewriter eraser brushes are considered collectibles. Vintage enthusiasts and lovers of retro office supplies value them for their simplicity and effectiveness. Though they might look out of place in a world dominated by digital devices, they serve as a testament to the ingenuity of past generations and the unique tools
that once supported everyday tasks.
Conclusion: From Essential to Obsolete
For those who’ve never used a typewriter, the tools in the image may seem mysterious, even obsolete. But for older generations, they bring back memories of the rhythmic clacking of typewriter keys, the smell of ink ribbons, and the ever- present eraser brush sitting nearby. Times have certainly changed, and as with many innovations, what was once essential now rests quietly in history’s archives
Meet Myrtle, the Woman Who Was Born With 4 Legs and Eventually Became a Mom
Josephine Myrtle Corbin was born with a rare birth defect called polymelia, meaning born with extra limbs, in her case, she had 4 legs, 2 normal ones and 2 smaller ones that grew from her hips. But there was more to it. She also had 2 sets of reproductive organs and 2 pelvises. Because of this rare occurrence, she’s probably one of the few people in history considered wonders. Let’s delve into Myrtle’s story and discover her exceptional life milestones.Myrtle was considered a rare and remarkable case of human development.
Josephine Myrtle Corbin, an American sideshow performer, came into the world in 1868 as a remarkable medical rarity. Affected by a condition known as dipygus, she possessed two lower bodies from the waist down. This unusual phenomenon occurred due to her body axis splitting during development, resulting in two separate pelvises side by side. Remarkably, her smaller inner legs were paired with one of her outer legs. While Myrtle could move her inner legs, but they were too weak to walk on.
Born in Tennessee to her parents, William and Nancy, Myrtle’s arrival brought both wonder and concern. At 25, her father, William, and 34-year-old mother, Nancy, welcomed the unique little Myrtle into their lives. Medical professionals noted that if Myrtle had been delivered breech, with her bottom first, it could have been potentially fatal for both her and her mother. Thankfully, Myrtle’s early days were promising, as she displayed signs of strength, weighing 10 lb (4.5kg) just 3 weeks after her birth.
Myrtle’s father was facing financial hardship and had to think of ways to support his growing family.
© Charles Eisenmann (1855-1927) / Wikimedia Commons, © Public domain, © Palette.fm
At the age of 5 weeks, people had the opportunity to visit William Corbin and marvel at his four-legged daughter for a small fee. As the years passed, Myrtle grew up accustomed to the constant stares and astonishment from those who encountered her rare condition. Her inner legs never fully developed, her right foot was clubbed, and both of the smaller legs had 3 toes on each foot.
Over the following decade, William took Myrtle on a journey across the country, where she participated in fairs, sideshows, and dime museums. By the time she turned 14, she had achieved success and managed to secure a lucrative contract paying her an unusually high salary of $250 per week.
The four-legged girl, Myrtle, had a younger sister named Ann, who fortunately did not suffer from any birth defects.
Myrtle married when she was 18 and later became a mother.
© James R. Applegate (1849–1910), Philadelphia / Wikimedia Commons, © Public Domain, © Palette.fm
As Myrtle entered adulthood, she grew weary of the constant attention she received due to her condition. At 18, she decided to marry James Bicknell, a medical student, after which she retired from her performing career. Interestingly, her fame had inspired others to attempt to fake her unique deformity, but all of these impostors were eventually exposed as frauds.
A year into their marriage, Myrtle experienced troubling symptoms like fever, nausea, headaches, and side pains. Concerned, she sought medical attention, and to her disbelief, the doctor revealed that she was pregnant on her left side. Myrtle skeptically responded, saying, “If it had been on my right side, I would come nearer believing you are correct.” The pregnancy proved challenging for her health, and doctors even advised her to consider an abortion due to the severity of her illness. However, Myrtle managed to recover swiftly.
Over the following years, James and Myrtle welcomed seven more children into their family. Tragically, only 5 of them survived infancy, 4 daughters and a son.
© Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons, © Public Domain
The family lived a quiet life until their 5 children reached adulthood. Then Myrtle re-entered the show business. In 1909, when Myrtle was 41, she was a part of Huber’s Museum exhibit, appearing as The Four-Legged Girl from Cleburne, Texas. She often dressed her 4 legs in matching shoes and socks, to the audience’s delight. She was making $450 per week at the time.
In 1928, Myrtle developed a skin infection on her right leg, and the doctor diagnosed her with erysipelas or a strep infection. A week later, on May 6th, 1928, Myrtle passed away. Her casket was covered in concrete, and family members kept watch until it was fully cured to prevent grave robbers from stealing her remains.
Almost a century later, Josephine Myrtle Corbin Bicknell continues to inspire others by proving that even in the 19th century, a woman could forge a successful career and become a mother all at once.
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