A classic! The decade 1930s was particular of significance to L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc. Emerging from the depths of the Depression, the company launched a line of new portables: Standard, Sterling and Silent. The line was best known for its introduction of Floating Shift a superior shift mechanism that lowers the type bar basket instead of the carriage when typing capitals. The Sterling/Silent model had a handsome classic design with the color choice of maroon and green in addition to the black glossy finish. It came with many features available to a standard office machine. The Sterling and Silent models were essentially identical in appearance and mechanism except that the Silent model had a sound proofing design and an interchangeable platen. The two models remained tremendously popular and were produced all the way into the 1950s under the company's new name, Smith-Corona.