Mergenthaler
OTTMAR (mergen-tä'-ler), an American inventor; born -tä'-ler), an American inventor; born in Württemberg, Germany, May 10, 1854; came to the United States in 1872 and received a government position in Washington to care for the mechanism of bells, clocks, and signal service apparatus; became connected with a mechanical engineering firm in Baltimore, Md., in 1876.
Subsequently, while still engaged with that company, he began experiments which resulted in the invention of the type-setting machine bearing his name.
His plan as finally perfected consisted of a keyboard by means of which a line of type or dies could be set, adjusted to a desired width, and cast into a solid line of type metal. He patented his invention, but it was not successful till the linotype company which he had formed purchased the Rogers spacer. He died in Baltimore, Md., Oct. 28, 1899.