I, too, recall the impression the Paige machine made on me when I first saw it, back in the 70's. (And yes, in effect, it was in the basement or ground floor). I gather the technological issue was a design that was over-complex for the degree of precision possible for production at that time. One might compare the situation to that of Babbage's Difference Engine. The designer issue - Paige himself -- is usually said to have been a big part of the problem as well. If it was the case that the Linotype interests offered them a buyout/cross-sell, and they refused, then I'd see that as the pinpoint of this business tragedy See also: http://www.marktwainhouse.org/themuseum/archivist.shtml http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0826214509/marktwainquota03 - Charles Gold's Hatching Ruin (2003) DDD