Technologically, the 914 is so complex (more complex, some Xerox salesmen insist, than an automobile) that it has an annoying tendency to go wrong, and consequently Xerox maintains a field staff of thousands of repairmen who are presumably ready to answer a call on short notice. The most common malfunction is a jamming of the supply of copy paper, which is rather picturesquely called a mispuff, because each sheet of paper is raised into position to be inscribed by an interior puff of air, and the malfunction occurs when the puff goes wrong. A bad mispuff can occasionally put a piece of the paper in contact with hot parts, igniting it and causing an alarming cloud of white smoke to issue from the machine; in such a case, the operator is urged to do nothing, or, at most, to use a small fire extinguisher that is attached to it, since the fire burns itself out comparatively harmlessly if left alone, whereas a bucket of water thrown over a 914 may convey potentially lethal voltages to its metal surface.
I was frightened of it at first, one Xerox operator tells Brooks. The Xerox men say, If youre frightened of it, it wont work, and thats pretty much right. Its a good scout; Im fond of it now.
Over at the Journal, you can watch a video of the New Yorkers Adam Gopnikalong with many others, including Warren Buffetttalking about Brooks. And, here on our site, weve unlocked a number of Brookss classic stories for your weekend reading: