He
also contrived an improved press, provided with a moveable
carriage, on which the types were placed, with inking rollers,
and a new mechanical method of taking off the impression by flat
pressure.
Koenig brought his new machine under the notice of the leading
printers in Germany, but they would not undertake to use it. The
plan seemed to them too complicated and costly. He tried to
enlist men of capital in his scheme, but they all turned a deaf
ear to him. He went from town to town, but could obtain no
encouragement whatever. Besides, industrial enterprise in
Germany was then in a measure paralysed by the impending war with
France, and men of capital were naturally averse to risk their
money on what seemed a merely speculative undertaking.
Finding no sympathisers or helpers at home, Koenig next turned
his attention abroad. England was then, as now, the refuge of
inventors who could not find the means of bringing out their
schemes elsewhere; and to England he wistfully turned his eyes.
In the meantime, however, his inventive ability having become
known, an offer was made to him by the Russian Government to
proceed to St. Petersburg and organise the State printing-office
there. The invitation was accepted, and Koenig proceeded to St.
Petersburg in the spring of 1806. But the official difficulties
thrown in his way were very great, and so disgusted him, that he
decided to throw up his appointment, and try his fortune in
England.
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