Derek Blumenthal's "Automatic Label Maker"
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The Automatic Label Maker

    First, the label’s text is entered into the computer.  A stepper motor connected to the letter wheel then selects the appropriate letters while another stepper motor advances the plastic label tape as the printing process goes on.   A large, well-levered solenoid activates the stamping process of each letter into the tape.  The process continues until the entire message is printed.