There are some misconceptions about the different models of the machines.
In the beginning of the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, the term 'Simplex' did refer to any Linotype machine, but to equipment you bought together with your machine. 'Simplex' equipment came with one magazine, one set of mold liners and one ejector blade. 'Duplex' equipment came with two magazines, possibly another set of mold liners, and another ejector blade. 'Triplex' equipment came with three magazines, and possibly three mold liners and ejector blades. These terms became obsolete when it became easy to change the magazines on the machines, starting with Linotype 5 in 1906. Explanation about the Simplex equipment can be found on this page.
Some sources refer to the 'Square Base Linotype' or 'Model 1 Linotype' as a 'Simplex'. This is wrong, as Mergenthaler's machines were never referred to as a 'Simplex'. How this misconception came to be is explained here.
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