I wish to thank Leo J. Flood, Superintendent of the Illinois Braille and Sightsaving School; Helen Sweeney, teacher and curator of historical materials; and Louis W. Rodenberg, Superintendent of Blind Services, both also of the Illinois Braille and Sight Saving School, for their kindness in helping me gather material for this article, and in explaining to me the technical aspects of writing and printing for the blind. I am, however, solely responsible for all statements made.
2.
For these and other biographical facts see The Lyre, Vol. 2, No. 10 (February, 1911), page 5. This little magazine was published by Harry R. Detweiler, Hall's son-in-law. Further information is in Frank H. Hall, a memorial brochure. While no author, publisher or place is indicated in the brochure, it was written and edited by Hall's daughter, Sybil Verne Hall Detweiler in Aurora in 1911, the year of Hall's death. See Dorothy Detweiler West to Walter B. Hendrickson, Aurora, Ill., March 13, 1955. Letter in my possession.
3.
FrankH. Hall, a brochure, p. 21.
4.
CurtisJohn D., “Frank H. Hall,” in Outlook for the Blind, Vol. 3, (1911), p. 5.
5.
No author (FrankH. Hall?) Brief History of the Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind, Illinois Board of World's Fair CommissionersChicago, 1893, p. 39.
6.
See “Report of Arthur Jewell, Printer,” In Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind, Thirtieth Biennial Report (1908), pp. 15–16.
7.
See “Report of Arthur Jewell, Printer,” In Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind, Thirtieth Biennial Report (1908), pp. 15–16.
8.
Hall's testimony before the New York City Board of Education in “What Tactile Print for New York City?” in Outlook for the Blind, Vol. 3 (1909), p. 44.
9.
HallFrank H., “The Story of an Invention,” in The Mentor, Vol. 3 (1893), p. 72.
10.
An interview with G. A. Sieber, May 1, 1955. Mr. Sieber, in 1955, was ninety-two years old, still in good health and clear of mind, although very deaf, and retired only a few years from active participation in his electrical contracting business.
11.
G. A. Sieber to Robert B. Irwin, Executive Director of the American Foundation for the Blind, Jacksonville, Ill., June 11, 1932. Rough draft and carbon copy in Sieber papers in archives of Illinois Braille and Sight-Saving School. This letter was written when Sieber was trying to get recognition for his part in making the Hall writer. There is some difference in this statement and one made to me in writing, April 1, 1955, in which Sieber claims credit for the idea of the six keys, each controlling a single braille dot, but the statement of June 11, 1932 is corroborated by Louis W. Rodenberg, who recalls that Sieber told him that Hall had the idea of the six keys. Interview with Louis W. Rodenberg, May 10, 1955.
12.
These statements are based on my one examination of several Hall writers, and on conversations with Sieber and Rodenberg in March, April and May, 1955.
13.
Hall, “The Story of an Invention,”op. cit., p. 69.
14.
Hall, “The Story of an Invention,”op. cit., p. 70.
15.
Hall, “The Story of an Invention,”op. cit., p. 70.
16.
“Itemized Statement of Expenses, 1893,” in Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind, Twenty-Third Biennial Report (1894), p. 45.
17.
“Which Tactile Print for New York City?”op. cit., p. 70.
18.
Statement by G. A. Sieber to Walter Hendrickson, May 1, 1955.
19.
“Which Tactile Print for New York City?”op. cit., p. 70.
20.
P. D. Merrill, Vice-President, Cooper Engineering and Manufacturing Company, to G. A. Sieber, Chicago, Ill., June 14, 1926, Sieber papers.
21.
AllenEdward E., “Frank H. Hall,” in Outlook for the Blind, Vol. 5 (1911), p. 59.
22.
P. D. Merrill to G. A. Sieber, Chicago, Ill., June 14, 1926.
23.
Hall, “Story of an Invention,”op. cit., p. 72–73.
24.
SibleyJohn T., “Stereotyping for Embossed Printing,” in The Mentor, Vol. 3 (1893), p. 386.
