The design of the Vtg Stencil Ideal No.1 was drawn from genuine 1 inch Ideal No.1 stencil machine (circa 1920s). Late models use punches and dies with a more rounded type design.
> The Ideal Company and Their Stencil Machines
In 1911, inventor George Remnsnider, along with a group of investors, established the Ideal Stencil Machine Co. As the third manufacturer of stencil machines, alongside Bradley and Diagraph, the company introduced their initial models, namely No. 1 and No. 2, in 1913. Over time, Ideal expanded their product range to include machines for various stencil sizes, such as 3/32, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 7/16, and 2 inches, each with distinct differences in letter design.
The larger stencil sizes employed a light and narrow sans-serif letter design, while the smaller sizes featured wider letter designs. All letters and numbers were strictly monospaced, ensuring uniform width across the characters. However, this uniformity occasionally posed typographic challenges, particularly with letter spacing and deformation, particularly noticeable with letters like M, W, and I, similar to other competing machines.
The Ideal machines boasted unique features and earned the nickname "the typewriter of stencil cutting." The oil board was securely clamped onto a movable carriage, resembling a typewriter. The line spacing was adjustable, by using an different optional carriage. Compared to other models, the letter spacing on Ideal machines was tighter, enhancing their efficiency. The company positioned their machines as more economical options compared to their competitors.
Like stencil machines from other companies, Ideal stencil machines found extensive use in the US Army during significant conflicts such as World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. In later models, Cyrillic letters were also made available for stencil sizes of 7/16, 5/8, and 1 inch.