of copies was quite inadequate to
satisfy the rapidly increasing demand for newspapers. The time was
therefore evidently ripe for the adoption of such a machine as that of
Koenig. Attempts had been made by many inventors, but every one of
them had failed. Printers generally regarded the steam-press as
altogether chimerical.

Such was the condition of affairs when Koenig finished his improved
printing machine in the manufactory in Whitecross Street. The partners
in the invention were now in great hopes. When the machine had been got
ready for work, the proprietors of several of the leading London
newspapers were invited to witness its performances. Amongst them were
Mr. Perry of the Morning chronicle, and Mr. Walter of The Times. Mr.
Perry would have nothing to do with the machine; he would not even go
to see it, for he regarded it as a gimcrack.[5] On the contrary, Mr.
Walter, though he had five years before declined to enter into any
arrangement with Bensley, now that he heard the machine was finished,
and at work, decided to go and inspect it. It was thoroughly
characteristic of the business spirit of the man. He had been very
anxious to apply increased mechanical power to the printing of his
newspaper. He had consulted Isambard Brunel--one of the cleverest
inventors of the day--on the subject; but Brunel, after studying the
subject, and labouring over a variety of plans, finally gave it up. He
had next tried Thomas Martyn, an ingenious young compositor, who had a
scheme for a self-acting machine for working the printing press. But,
although Mr. Walter supplied him with the necessary funds, his scheme
never came to anything. Now, therefore, was the chance for Koenig!

After carefully examining the machine at work, Mr. Walter was at once
satisfied as to the great value of the invention. He saw it turning
out the impressions with unusual speed and great regularity. This was
the very machine of which he had been in search. But it turned out the
impressions printed on one side only. Koenig, however, having briefly
explained the more rapid action of a double machine on the same
principle for the printing of newspapers, Mr. Walter, after a few
minutes' consideration, and before leaving the premises, ordered two
double machines for the printing of The Times newspaper. Here, at
last, was the opportunity for a triumphant issue out of Koenig's
difficulties.

The construction of the first newspaper machine wa