Abstract: A reading machine for providing a visual display of textual material. Textual material is stored, e.g., in binary form, in a memory device. The stored binary form includes indexing signals enabling the rapid indexing of the textual material. The textual material desired for display is indicated by, for example, actuation of appropriate keys on a keyboard. The stored textual material is rapidly scanned until the portion is found which corresponds with the desired textual material. Rapid scanning then stops, and the desired textual material is displayed on a suitable display device while scanning occurs at a slower rate, suitable for reading of the displayed textual material. The scanning is controlled by a clock whose pulses are counted to activate a logic circuit which interrogates corresponding address locations within the memory. The clock pulses are counted at a first rate for rapid scanning and at a lower rate for reading.