I love how with typewriters you had to think before you type, because if you make a mistake, you can't really go back. I see so many grammatical errors when people send me texts, chat messages in video games, social media posts, and even RU-vid comments. The devices now literally show you grammatical errors and people STILL leave them! It bugs me so much. Edit: I've also edited this reply multiple times because I keep screwing up haha. Maybe I need to get a typewriter to fix these simple mistakes!
I visited the Mesa Typewriter Exchange in 2017. I told Bill that I had seen him on RU-vid and that I just had to stop by while I was in town. He was very nice; he let me look around, try out the typewriters, answered all of my questions, and posed for a selfie.
I am 63 years old and learned to type at age 12 on my sister's typewriter. It came with a 33 1/3 vinyl record that taught you to type. I always loved typewriters - my dad bought me a sears child's one when I was 10. In the 70s typists were in demand and so I had a marketable skill. Back then typists were largely women and men wanted nothing to do with them as they saw them as "beneath" them. My how that's changed! That skill in turn got me a job as a typesetter in the late 70s typing "codes" using an IBM selectric which was the "queen" of machines. This gig in turn led to a job in computers in the early 1980s. I couldn't be more pleased that typewriters are enjoying a renaissance. I still have my 1957 Olympia elite - german made, incredible workmanship. Computers have ruined my hands. Typewriters are actually much better for you ergonomically. I used to type 7.5 hours a day as a young typist in Boston. Love the sound of the clacking keys, the paper, and the bell. And of course they fit my image as a writer. I just heard they are good for people that have arthritis or in my case tendonitis in my hands. I'll give it a try.
The power of the typewriter is in the ability to create a original document which is hard to duplicate or make changes to unlike a computer print out. This is has legal value even today.
I'm not so sure. You can always take a look at a typewriter written document , open your PC and type in the words on the document , then arrange the size of the letters and their styles to match that of the typewriter written one. It wouldn't be that hard in all honesty. Though a slight difference would be in the quality of ink that's on the document , as a typewriter will write darker than a printer.
Typewriters are still useful even in the 21st century. If I'm taking notes from a book, filling out a form, or if I need to write a one-page summary, a typewriter is so much easier than turning on a computer, clicking on MS Word, and then hooking it up to a printer.
I agree! Even though I don't own one, but I really do want to, I can really see the benefits and minimal disadvantages (but I doubt that they have) the machine can give the eager typist. I write poems, and I always wanted to use one to print the poem I am writing as I do it.
@@chae226 they don't really have any disadvantages other than the fact that they're quite loud , especially in a quiet atmosphere. Also you always need sheets of blank paper , so if you want to keep something as a notebook it's a bit of a problem.
@@QueueTeePies With tablets, I'd agree with you. I went on a bit of a typewriter binge back in high school/college. I'm largely over that now, but still use my typewriter from time to time.
If you need a reason to use and justify a typewriter, here are two: (1) Typing addresses on envelopes. It's much neater than handwritten addresses, and you can't put a letter envelope through a printer (a manila envelope, sure). (2) Typing personal letters. Anyone can use a printer, but typing a letter is as personal as writing one with a pen. It tells the recipient, "This was done ONLY for you." A typed letter can really make an impression when writing cover letters for job hunting.
I used to be in the typewriter business. I am very pleased to see how they are coming back. They are very unique machines. If you've never had one, get one!
I have four typewriters and I love them all. There is something special about my fingers striking the keys and seeing the words form before my eyes. Word processors are great, but there is something about the physical creating of the document I don't get from a computer. It kind of takes me back to my high school days, and my typing class.
I want a typewriter by the simple reason that I am so easily distracted by Internet and so on, and i want to focus on my short stories and so on, after that i plan to rewrite them on a word processor and do all the editing.
I recently just saw one in an antique store and was debating wether or not I should get it. This video has really persuaded me to buy it! That is, if it's still there...
Did you get it? Very curious to know. Hopefully it's there for you, but if it's not, try to see if your area has a www.freecycle.com where everything is free. I am picking up a 1950's Remington Quiet-Riter tomorrow from a lady near me. I am SO excited...I got a a birthday later this month. Good luck!
I actually am begging my parents to get one im 13 and I like it because its not like computers no making your eyes hurt no spell check which I love because you learn more, you can type on anything and make doublesided things and lastlt its fun and unique!
Who else is watching this video in 2022? It’s getting close to go to September. I highly recommend getting one. For an example, when a storm hits and the electric is out. Then you are wanting type out your work for school. A manual typewriter is perfect for it. Unless you want to use it for other reasons. As in writing stories, poems, typing down your dreams, want to save the electric bill from typing, teaching young ones how important they still are in this modern world. Don’t want a child to get onto the internet to type, or you afraid to let your child type things out and turns out they messed up the computer. A typewriter is a great start for young ones to appreciate what they have.
I purchased 4 typewriters in my life, I started when I was only 16 years old and I’m 17 now and still using them today! My first ever one was a Brother Automatic repeat spacer, then I got a Adler Junior E which needs and touch of repair but not major, then I got a silver-reed, and now I’m about to get a Smith Corona SL470...
I am sorry that the advent of microcomputers replaced your father's invaluable typewriter and office machines repair business. Even computers become obsolete as the technology advances forward.
My brother just picked up a brand new smith corona Coronamatic 2200. I got jealous so I got myself an IBM selectric 1 with loads of paper, carbon paper, the original stand, and a new ink ribbon. Although it does need oiling really bad. But my grandfather is going to fix it up, oil it, clean it and make it look nice :)
I have a 1965 Hermes 3000 with Techno-Elite typeface coming in. I can't wait to pop in a new ribbon and start working. On the heels of that, which was also shipped is an Olivetti Lettera 33 DL. To compare the two, The 3K is a very charismatic typewriter, however the 33 DL looks the type to have been in the gadgets section of Playboy in the early 70s.
To me it was therapeutic after the death of my first boyfriend. I went through alcohol amd drugs over doses and then typing. I typed and cried sooo much that after a few months I felt better and the healing started. A year later I was free. Everytime I get depressed I pull out a typewriter and go at it and a few minutes to an hour I'm better. The computer couldn't do what the typewriter did.
I was lucky and found a 1959 Hermes 3000 2 years ago, smooth as butter and favorite machine, then a year later one Hermes Rocket from the same year, the perfect couple and same mint green buttons. Just a perfect combination and pleasure typing notes, letters or memoirs on.
I can still remember when one day I went to my mom's office and I saw typewriter for the first time. At that time may be my age was 5/6 years (1993/1994) and I asked her to allowed me to type. She initially didn't allowed me but I cried then she gave me a paper and ordered me to wrote my postal address... Whenever I hear the sound "tik tik" of typewriters I always got emotional.
Since i bought a blue switch mechanical keyboard, and i love it. I know its not really the same thing as a type writer but hearing the clicks and etc like a typewriter are amazing :p
Currently there is a resurgence in typewriters and typing in general, not with digital keys or text but actual physical machines. It's now rare to even come across a typewriter at Goodwill or a thrift shop, normally now they are snapped up and can fetch prices over $400 to $1000 depending on the color and make such as the Hermes.
I SOOO want a typewriter, but I want a way to be able to convert what I type to a digital format. I just want the feel of the typewriter and sounds it makes.
My great grandmother passed away and my family found an old Sears Forecast 12 typewriter tucked away for 50 years. The ink ribbon never dried. I have not stopped using it since her passing. It helped me find my voice. Funny tidbit though, in the typewriters case was a rough draft of a letter to the new president of her HOA. My favorite quote in it is “I hope that when a meeting is held that everyone will feel welcome and be able to speak without the rudeness or harassment there has been in the past by those self important people that at one time we’re on the board. We don’t need puppets, we need people with minds of their own”
I am trying to find one myself to join the renaissance. I love my computer but i learned to type using a yard-sale typewriter. Drove my brother crazy when i would sit there and type on it even after we got a computer.
And would you say, all places in the world dig the PC? And the system manager , and all that jazz? I can totally Imagine 3rd world countries just favour the mechanic repair possibility .. further PCs are very West ish I believe. Printers are widely acknowledged as troublesome machinery...last but not least type writers are cheap, only less fast if you press for that. But who in 3rd world does?
Tom Hanks is an avid typewriter collector. It is rumored that he will grant people to interview him when they offer rare vintage typewriters as a gift.
I learned to type on my mother's 1940's Remington Quiet-Riter portable manual machine, when I was 12 or 13. In junior high I took typing, on an IBM Selectric. I typed all my high school papers on an electric typewriter that had been passed down to me from older siblings. Well into college I was still typing my papers on the typewriter. I didn't start word processing until 1996, when I was in my final years of college.
My 11 year old LOVES the type writer. She says it's an ADHD'er dream come true. It's tactile, it's noisy, it gives instant feedback on a page she can grab, but most importantly: it celebrates every line she has typed with a ding and then being allowed to ' slam' the carriage back. Hahaha. She used to do a little dance after every line and type for hours on end. Now it's become something she likes to do as a hobby (typing stories when she feels like it).
My church was just giving away a vintage IBM Selectric II. I picked it up two weeks ago, and it's been amazing! The only downside I've found so far is it isn't quite mobile. 😂 Although as long as you've got a sturdy table, you're free to type as you please.
My mother is a high school Spanish teacher. Today she was telling me that there are children entering high school these days who don't even know how to use a pencil, because they mostly use text messaging. They don't even teach grammar in elementary schools anymore. Humanity is entering a stage of full on mental regression.
they're beautiful objects, people like them for the same reason they like classic cars. also they have heart and soul in them, they were designed and have been used and are robust.
You can always OCR your typewritten text, so what's the reason for dumping all these awesome machines. Tomorrow I will sit down and write some poems with my Olivetti Studio 44.
I just got a Smith-Corona Serling and after cleaning works very good except the Lever, It doesn't change the line to keep typing, anybody have an idea what it is stuck ? Thanks in advance.
The typewriter will not disappear immediately. Despite of the desktop and laptop computers, the typewriter will always have its useful purpose in life.
I just got a mint 1950's Royal Safari types like it is brand new! My daughter, who is twenty tried it and said, "Oh, forget this." Couldn't push the keys down, maybe she has a muscle or strength disorder.
Electric typewriters move the type element and letters electronically. Maybe she'll like one of those. IBM Wheelwriter or Selectric, a Brother, and even Smith Corona has a line of electric typewriters. She won't be saying "Oh, forget this," then.
I loved the IBM Selectrics. The only one I hated was the IBM Executive. Most annoying typewriter with the different size width of the letters. My daughter will only use her computer but thanks for the tip. It's always cool to go back to the past even for a short while.
Hi, I have an IBM Model C typewriter and the ribbon of the return key is broken, I found a new one witch is the same with the old one, but I don't know how will I fix it. I think that I found how, but I want to confirm it because I'm not sure for it. Please if someone can ask for me the man who has rhe typewwriter store if he knows something. Thank you...
Well the best alternative for a computer is to get a mechanical keyboard. I would recommend the IBM Model M keyboard. It was the best mechanical keyboard ever produced. It used a spring buckling trigger to make all the keys click. In a way it sort of remind me of the old school typewriters.
mclaine33 actually there are much better mechanical keyboards than the model m like the earlier ibm model f and the ibm beamspring though good luck finding that.
TYPEWRITER WAS FOR RICH PEOPLE MANY YEARS AGO. I EVEN CRIED WHEN MY DAD DID HIS BEST TO SAVE MONEY TO BUY ME ONE BECAUSE I TOLD HIM I WANTED TO BE A JOURNALIST AND I ALWAYS BORROW TYPEWRITER FROM MY CLASSMATES AND NEIGHBORS. UNTIL NOW I PRESERVE MY TYPEWRITER.
I pick my first one up tomorrow evening. I found an elderly man looking for a good home for his typewriter. I contacted him and got a total for 35 dollars
I owned an Underwood Olivetti Letera 32 typewriter when I was in high school until it was stolen in 1977. I miss that typewriter more than anything else.
There are plenty of free vids and courses on YT if you want to learn...get an IBM Model M keyboard of a unicomp modern copy and the key strikes should feel just like a very good electric type writer
