equipped with one-case broken face type, special fraction characters, and a wire loop scale to hold the passport in place while it was being typed. A special green-inked ribbon with a carbon base was used. The green ribbon and the unique broken face type were special security features. Entries were typed into the passport according to a prescribed pattern. Passports written on this machine were distinctive in appearance. Although the electric typewriter was replaced in the United States in 1958 by more modern processing equipment, most U.S. Embassies and consulates abroad still process passports on an especially designed typewriter. (Exhibit 95)

Tape Processing System

The large annual increase in the volume of passports issued since the end of World War II (1941-1945) warranted the research and development of new machinery to speed up the issuance of passports to the public. One such improvement was the tape processing system. Equipped with specially designed broken face type, similar to that on the electric passport typewriter, the tape processing system used electronic processes which produce virtually error-free passport documents. This equipment was installed in the Passport Office and its Agencies in December 1958, and continues in operation in the Passport Office. (Exhibit 95)

Typewriter With Changeable Sphere

In 1971, the Passport Office made contractual arrangements with a corporation to develop a type sphere with broken face type comparable to the type used in producing a passport. When the sphere is used with the special green-inked ribbon, the passport can be produced on a special electric typewriter. This innovation was introduced in 1974 at the overseas posts to replace worn-out typewriters no longer obtainable, and to provide greater flexibility in the use of typewriters since the spheres are interchangeable.

Numbering Machine

Prior to 1956 the date of issue and passport number were placed on the application and control cards by two hand operated machines in three separate operations. At the request of the

Passport Office, a corporation developed an electric numbering machine with an automatic tripping device which accomplished these three tasks automatically in one operation. These machines, with modifications, have been in use since 1956.

Rubber Stamps

Rubber hand stamps are used by the Passport Office and Agencies to process amendments, extensions, endorsements, and limitations in passports. The Agencies and Foreign Service posts usually obtain the stamps locally. The stamp wording includes the type of action and location of the office and any other pertinent information required.

Affixing Photographs

Staples and Paste

Initially, small 1/4 inch staples were used in combination with paste to affix photographs to the passports. In 1931, the bookbinder's paste was used in combination with a flat iron which speeded the drying of the paste to the photograph. Paste was discontinued when glue was found to be more adhesive.

Glue and Glue Pots

Glue was formerly made of horse's hooves. Delivered in 8 inch by 10 inch soft gelatinous blocks, the glue was cut into 1-inch square cubes and melted with a small amount of water in a glue pot. When the glue reached the proper consistency, it was spread by a hand brush over the reverse side of the photograph. Hand irons dried the photograph and completed the process. (Exhibit 96)

Gluing Machine

The electric gluing machine, adopted by the Passport Office in 1956, is now used to affix photographs with a liquid glue. By using rollers, the machine automatically distributes the adhesive on the back of the photograph. The electric iron applied to the photograph completes the process by drying the adhesive.

Irons

Hand irons have been used to dry the paste and glue. The frequent scorching of the passport photograph with a hot iron was prevented by the introduction on May 7, 1929 of the automatic electric irons which had a special adjustment feature to control the temperature. Over the years further research and experimentation have been conducted to develop a heat-sealing method to affix the photograph to the passport page but no substitute has yet been found to match the effectiveness of the iron. Since the middle 1960's the electric irons used to dry the adhesive have been Teflon covered for further protection of the photograph. (Exhibit 96)

Cash Register

Prior to 1955 all fees received in connection with the issuing of passports were hand recorded with the use of rubber stamps. An improved accounting system, featuring the use of accounting machines for controlling cash collection, was approved by the General Accounting Office and installed in the Washington Office in 1955. With the introduction of the cash register machine, the Passport Office and Field Agencies received a legible and uniform recording of the date of each transaction, type of fee, and amount of fee collected. The locked-in tape record of each transaction serves as the supporting document for the "Certificate of Deposit." The cash register is still in use today.