Poppagator, my wife operated a comptometer when I first met her. I was impressed; holding a conversation-reading figures from a list-punching mechanical keys and pulling arms, like a Vegas slot-machine addict. An example of multitasking I couldn't hope to match.

Sandra, as you say. Printers themselves were usually better than most with the language, and then the editor caught (it was hoped) anything they missed. Spellcheck is hopeless at homonyms, junior reporters are good at producing them.