Just me gushing about completely obsolete technology for seven and a half minutes, don't mind me. My OTHER Social Medias! Uplive: www.upliveriley.com Instagram: / rileyrydin Twitter: / rileyrydin
So true, especially if you have to use a computer for work, it's nice to get away from those flickering screens every now and then - she says whilst watching RU-vid... 😅
I pulled my great grandfather's Underwood typewriter out of an attic, it's from the 40's and has been in its box for 50 years. I opened the case and it instantly started working, the ribbon even still put ink down. I'm confident when I'm dead it'll still be working
I just finished writing on my typewriter and I can agree to everyting that you are saying. I was amazed how much freedom I felt the first time that I began to use the typewriter as a creative media. I love my Mac; however, I never felt this creative using a laptop. It was amost magical.
I have two part time jobs - Im a tailor and an author. I bought a typewriter to do the garment labels on my suits - to add the client's name. That was last week - I can already see myself writing books on this and then scanning them. You have to THINK a lot more carefully about your words as you can just delete them.
I never thought I'd miss a manual typewriter again. I've worked on all types from the 70s. All that tipexing and carbon papers were so frustrating. When the computer came along it was heaven. But watching this video has me hankering after the old way. Thank you.
Be careful... they multiply! My personal count just reached 100 two weeks ago. Most of them work... some don’t. I own my own typewriter repair shop so that’s no issue.
@@kashafshahbaz5777 I’m getting a lot of replies to very old posts recently. What is meant by “too tight”? What kind of machine? One I have details I can maybe help a little more. It could be anything from a misaligned part, to corrosion, to the need for lubricant. Either way the platen should rotate easily and not get caught up.
@@prestondenglish I'm really happy that you replied. Thank you. Actually, I can't fit in paper in my typewriter. "The part where you put paper" is too tight. Sometimes, the paper even tears up. It just doesn't go across the roller.
Duane here @ Phoenix Typewriter, i like your enthusiasm. Been selling/repairing Typewriters for 40 yrs now So good to see the resurgence with Typewriters, my shop hasn't been this busy for quite sometime Good video !
Ribbon: Look for an American company called Baco. They're not an internet presence, but you can find them online and phone them. Brand new black or red/black ribbon by the spool or in bulk. A $50 bulk roll will do nearly fifty typewriters. They sell ink too...cheap and messy, but it's kinda cool to re-ink a good old ribbon that's gone dry rather than throw it out. If you go for ink, ask me what I've figured out about how to use it. The trials and troubles I've gone through will save you from going through the same! :-)
I loved the part about them outliving you, I am currently using an underwood no. 5 that, according to the serial number was made back in 1926. I am the 4th generation to use it, and it only has one replacement part (the fabric draw band), and I am sure that it will outlive me
I too have a 1926 Underwood no. 5! My wife bought it for me 39 years ago at a flea market. She had it overhauled for me back then, and I had it refurbished again in 2006. I have used it a lot, through undergrad and grad school, and then into my professional life, where it has served me so well. I hope to pass it on, along with my other typewriters, to my sons and other family members. Truly great machines and memory makers!
My oldest working machine is a 1913 L. C. Smith typewriter. It is very smooth in typing and carriage travel. It has outlasted my mother’s mother. I also have a 1939 Royal KMM that has outlived my mother.
I'm 53, used to use my husband's typewriter all the time in the late 80's early 90's, then gave up writing until last year. I started writing again on my iPad, then on Word on a dedicated writing laptop. I'm now going back to typing, just bought a Smith Corona today on ebay can't wait to get typing again! It's wonderful to see a young un such as yourself appreciating typing on a typewriter. 👍🏻
@charlottesmom You and I remember the same Presidents!!! I’m 52, and I started typing in 1979, on my mammie’s Royal upright. Poor woman was a guinea pig of mine typewriter-wise, in that I tried so many machines out on her after I repaired them. Last machine she owned was a 1959 Underwood Touch Master II. She’s been gone 17 years, and I still have it, and I will NOT part with it.
I have an electric typewriter, I've been looking for a typewriter that doesn't need electricity, because if my electricity goes out, and I'm right in the middle of typing a story, or typing out my menus , I wouldn't have to wait til the electricity comes back on, I can continue typing by candlelight, awesome
Also, if you enjoy the tactile, analog, and simplified experience of typewriters, I highly recommend trying film photography with a all-manual, mechanical SLR like a Minolta SRT-101 or Canon AE-1. Because you have to set focus, shutter speed, and aperture by hand every time, it forces you to slow down and think about every shot you take. Once you develop the roll later, you more deeply remember the details of the exact moment you took the photo, and you value the photos a lot more than just quick phone snapshots.
Hee - I’m kind of a film nut already 😜 My favorite camera to shoot with is my Pentax Spotmatic. All mechanical and manual save the light meter. You can see some of my work on my Instagram, @thepretentiousplatypus !
@@LifeOfRiley NICE! Amazing shots, great compositions. Also, the ektachrome color aesthetic is amazing. Where do you have your film developed? I use a Leica M3. It takes the idea of limiting your options even further. It's all mechanical and manual, no light meter, and the viewfinder isn't directly coupled to the lens, so you have no idea what your depth-of-field looks like until you develop. It takes some getting used to (especially metering light by feel), but when I develop the film, discovering that I nailed a shot is even more satisfying, because I had even more ownership of the process! Leicas are pretty expensive, but you can get the same experience with any rangefinder. I fell in love with my little foldable Kodak Retina 2, and then I knew that the Leica was perfect for my style. I also had a Kodak Retina 1 that didn't even have a focus patch, so I had to use the focusing distance scale on the lens and guess how far away my subject was. But that was too much lmao Do you have any other cameras?
There are really so many reasons for using a typewriter nowadays. If you're in to it, LifeOfRiley, I recommend the book "The Typewriter Revolution" by Richard Polt. There is also the documentary "The Typewriter (In The 21st Century)" here on RU-vid. It's some low-budget-predecessor of "California Typewriter". As far as I understood it, it's legally here on RU-vid, so it won't go away. I also enjoyed the book "The Typewriter: A graphic history of the beloved machine" by Janine Vangool.
"The Typewriter Revolution" is a book I Live in. I've written to Mr. Polt, and I can tell you he is very much a gentleman who is very knowledgeable about these fine machines.
Very true!..I am a drummer, have collected and used typewriters for decades. It is something that I have discovered over the years. Combining drumming and typewriters, in that, it's the feel. I have certain machines, and those certain machines possess me to write in different ways. Example, if I use my Royal Quiet Deluxe or Adler, I seem to come out with really surreal bizarre stories, whereas, my Olympia my writings tend to be more mundane and dull. Just not flowing as it seems. I enjoy seeing the younger generation discover the joys of typewriters. I recently donated one to a cafe I frequent, and the children are fascinated by it and play with avidly. Nice video!. As long as you maintain and care for your typewriter, it will never let you down. :-)
I grow up with typewriters. I used them throughout junior high through college. And when useful computers and printers came out I immediately moved to them because they were easier to use. So I recently dug up my old typewriter and started banging out a letter on it. It just reminded me why I was so happy to switch to computer all those years ago.
This is a really good quality content! You seem really passionate about it. This video makes me consider on getting one someday.. If only today's youths spend more of their time to watch videos like this instead of solely looking for entertainment, imagine how intelligent they'd be and the kind of fruitful discussions that they'd have with their peers and people in general.
Enjoyed your video very much. You're hooked now like the rest of us.. 3 will turn into 30 in no time. Some Michaels stores carry ribbons in various colors however they are shorter than regular typewriter ribbons but still quite usable. Ask at the checkout because that's sometimes where they keep them . Many electronic typewriters the ribbon cassettes are no longer available except on ebay for a price.. So be careful buying them
That's why I can't get rid of my electronic typewriter. Anyone into typewriters know that they're hard to find ribbons to, so even if I would throw it at someone for free, I would get it back.
You talking about the need to keep using typewriters is exactly how I feel about old cars. I like what Jay Leno says about them "Restore them to 100% condition and then run it into the ground and start again". He said that about his multi million dollar Duesenberg and was saying it towards those guys who have trailer queen cars that only drive on and off a trailer twice a year.
$250 for those three models in apparently fine condition was not a bad deal at all. My first typewriter (last year) was in my mind a strictly utilitarian 1970 Olympia Traveler. I had been reminiscing about my high school typing class (circa 1982) and how much I enjoyed it which led me to do some quick basic research and peruse the ebay offerings. I was satisfied with that for awhile, but I made the mistake of going back just out of curiosity and boredom. I found a gorgeous art nouveau Fox which I had to have. I think I might be able to stop now after +dozen machines later. I buy them in need of repair which I'm good at, and I do use them. The satisfaction of bringing dead typewriters back to life is priceless. Enjoy!
Trenton Jennings yes, fixing them and even raising the dead is half the fun. Mostly it’s Underwood machines that need the most work. But once in tune, you have a very reliable typer.
You did a beyond excellent job explaining the qualities and benefits of a typewriter. At 29 years old with what I feel is an old soul. I was blown away. Great, great explanation. Thank you. I will be watching California typewriter tonight.
Bought my first typewriter a year ago. I dont even know if it has any brand. But it cost me 15 USD (equivalent of that, I live in SE Asia), picked it up out of impulse because its in good condition and affordable. Now I own 3. One is 1956 Royal Commander (I think), and an IBM Selectric 2 . Its really addicting haha and yeah, there’s that kind of satisfaction to write on a typewriter
This is so interesting! While I’m writing, I hate starring at my computer screen, especially those nights cramming a paper in that’s due the next day. I should look into getting a type writer 👏🏼
Ελισάβετ Παπαδοπούλου the expense, whatever it may be, is cumulative. I have bought thousands of typewriters over about forty or so years, and some have commanded a higher price than others. Most were cheap and some were even free. But I don’t know if I ever made it to $10K, but I might have come close. You started typing at 8 years to 23. You got me beat at startup by three years. You are a 15-year typist. Not bad at 23. You will have my experience of 41 years at 49 (I’m 52). Keep up the good work, comrade!!
I just watched California Typewriter today, it's Tuesday the 7th 2020. I've been owning my own typewriter since 2001 that one broke down,and it took me a long time to find another one, I finally found another one at an estate sale in 2015 I think typewriters are awesome, hands down, GET IT!
Couldnt agree more. 14 and I got 3 and I love them. And I know somewhere where you can send your typewriter to get fixed. Phoenix typewriter actually fixes them and even posts videos in RU-vid. www.phoenixtypewriter.com/contact.html
I’ve owned typewriters every since 1979, about as long as I’ve sported eyeglasses. I’ve used machines that have been made all through the twentieth century from Adler to Zeta. You could say I got it.
i've just gotten my own typewriter, and i'm truely happy and excited to use it! i agree so much with you, it's just a fantastic tool. thank you. i wanna write something now :)
I first learned to type on a scary black open-framed monster in the '70s. Then went onto an Adler machine. Two days ago I found a portable Olivetti in a second-hand shop and now I'm here looking for inspiration.
A few points from someone who collects and loves using typewriters. 1. While true for mechanical typewriters, more modern electronic typewriters will offer "feedback" as a result of their spellcheck system and the sound it makes will be a lot more noticeable for most people than the red line. 2. If you get bored of writing by hand, you really should be considering the tools you're using. There are tons of great mechanical and wooden pencils if you want something erasable as well as lots of great fountain pens that are amazing to write with. The list goes on for practical and unique writing utensils. 3. Most typewriters will physically limit how fast you can type. Mechanical typewriters often have a far longer keypress than membrane and mechanical keyboard. The longer key presses can tire out your hands a lot faster than a PC will. Electronic typewriters often take a noticeable amount of time cycle between letters, resulting in a delay between the strike and the keypress if you type fast enough. This can seriously upset the rhythm for some people. Pretty much only electric typewriters will be able to keep up with the speed of a computer keyboard. 4. Do your research before you buy. There's no need to drop hundreds of dollars on a single typewriter if you just want a typing tool. You should be able to find plenty of used typewriters for under 30 dollars.
Bri-trying to get a typewriter-especially a manual or older electric that is as fast as a computer-is missing the point. You don’t use a microwave oven to bake a cake. Just like you don’t use a computer to write a heartfelt letter or poem. Some things built for speed often lose the charm of making wonderful things that need time to be made.
Another thing you didn’t mention is it’s angle from the computer to the typewriter, it’s much deeper, and their’s a job for people who just want to make letters for people. It’s called an AMD (Auto Memory Doll)
The BEST one to start with is a MANUAL typewriter. You WILL make mistakes as you learn to "touch type" but as you do it'll help you to "clean up" your technique so when you finally DO go upscale to an electric your work will be virtually perfect.
just ordered mine today. Looking forward to it arriving I picked up a BLUE SILVER REED SR180 DELUXE. I remember having a go on one when i was a child. I really appreciate the engineering that went into them and they are beautiful to look at. as well it will be good for my productivity as a content creator. As I will not have any distractions as well I can work later in the evening without having to stare at a screen which is really bad for sleep. Also being dyslexic I can just get my thoughts down and not worry about spelling on the first script draft for my content. I saw your video and decided to pick one up.
Omg wait is that Adrien Agreste ?! Lmao I am actually researching typewriters but found this and I only know you from your cosplays haha! Really cool video btw!!
I remember using a typewriter to do school work, and now i'm thankful for computers. It was a pain when you made mistakes with a typer, and we even had one that can erase letters, but I never worked and always jammed.
I Just wanted to thank you. Recently, I purchased two typewriters and they are the best I’ve spent with my money. I write often - journal entries, poems, prompts, stories in the future hopefully. Your video contributed to my purchase, and I’m happy with what I have now. Currently, I am the proud owner of a Smith Corona Skyriter - 1955 and an Olympia SM3. My life has felt better since. If anyone wonders why they should get a typewriter, I will direct them to this video as an answer.
I like the looks of the Oliver Typewriter! It looks like something totally alien. For those who haven't seen an Oliver, there's a youtube of someone typing on it.
0:46 Look up the Alphasmart Neo 2. It's a portable word processor from the 1990's -- it's literally just a keyboard with a tiny LCD screen for writing (it has no other apps). Runs on AA's and has a 700 hour (not a typo) battery life and can store ~200 pages. You can write without the distractions of the internet or the slowdown of a mechanical typewriter! When you're done, just plug it into your laptop via USB to transfer your writing for editing. It's also super cheap . . . ~$25 on eBay (I got mine for $15)!
I have a Neo and like it very much. Especially at night time when one of my 14 mechanical typewriters would be too noisy. But it can not be compared with typing on a typewriter because the mechanical way of writing is so much more enriching.
Just rewatched your really NICE video! I ordered a refurbished Smith Corona and can't wait to get typing again ... I cannot write on a computer keyboard!!! Thanks 😊
I'm writing my memoir on a typewriter. I start typing away and have stopped correcting my spelling or anything else. It give your writing personally. 100 years from now when my future generations read what I have written they will see all the errors and mistakes I made.
Of course it’s Citypop in the background, as a old man trapped in a college boy’s body I am loving this. Started fixing old Cassette player and mechanical film camera since the pandemic started, and call me a pretentious “artist” bastard all you want, I love retro, especially since I am born between the old style and new style Cassette, Vinyl, Radio and Mechanical Cams are what I grew up with, childhood memories kept in the form of tapes and films, and reliving them at a time like this, not only the pandemic but also a high tuning point in life, almost half way into senior year already, what do I do after that and all those thoughts, I just want to be drowned in these beautiful old memories and think about what I want to do, and what I want to leave behind.
One thing to mention is the decline of letters and postcards being sent; the industry is now focused on delivery of packages; in a few years from now , the mail industry will stop delivering postcards and letters, this we need to address as well.
YESSSSS, YESSSSS, YESSSSS!!!! Here is the truth if ever I have heard it!!! I want to add to the love part: Love is when you clean, lightly oil and adjust your machines so they work better than new. Love is cleaning and polishing the type slugs super clean to where you can send your friends and family and loved ones nice, clean letters. That’s LOVE, MAN!!!! Love is when you grind out several pages editing what you want to say on a page, be it a letter or a book. THAT’S LOVE, MAN!!! Love is SLAMMIN’ THAT HAMMER!!! Hear those carriage track rollers and the margin stop on the left hit the base with a light thud. THAT’S LOVE, MAN!!! Love is hearing those type bars bashing your innermost thoughts indelibly onto a piece of paper and making your fingers feel those type bars hitting the paper as you’re being pulled into the keys, going a little bit faster so that you don’t lose what you desperately need to communicate. Finally, Love is when you hear that you’ve made someone’s day when you cheered them up or inspired them in some way with a letter, book, or even a recipe you wrote. Once again-THAT’S LOVE, MAN!!!! Almost forty years into this hobby. I had long thought I was the only typewriter nut walking these lonely hallways. I still have the sign of a longtime typewriter repairman friend (who passed on about twenty years ago) on my bedroom wall. How’s that for a typewriter nut?
Been typing since I was 16 years old. Learned how to type in high school. I am now 72 and still use it. Yes, I have a computer but I don’t do “Facebook” or anything like that. I send letters or call on the phone and I still have a house phone…. 😉
Thanks for this video. I am writing poem about the typewriter I learned to type on and what you said was inspirational! I still have my Olivetti portable Lettera and my grandson, who is 11, thinks it's miraculous. He is right!
hammill444 well, believe it or not, once you start owning a typewriter, you eventually get good at repairing it too. That’s how I did it. And as for parts, antique shops and secondhand stores might have a cheap junker they’ll sell for a little or nothing.
i got my typewriter at my local thrift store for $2 and got my ribbon at the office supply store for $10 so $12 all together was a pretty great deal (my typewriter works and the brand is a brother SX-4000,a brand new one is around $300 while mine just had a few scratches)
It really depends on just what you consider handsome. You’re not likely going to find a Mister Six Sixes with a typewriter in a carrying case next to his golf bag and brilliantine and toothpaste in his Lamborghini Diablo or Bughatti Veyron.
Hopefully I will get a type writer for Christmas because my friend in my class brought one in and let me use it and I wrote a stories in it now I'm addicted to them so I realy want one now I have used one and whached this video.
Where’d you get the song you used in the last third of this blog? I like it a lot. It is a guitar number that sounds like something from a sixties movie theme song. It also sounds like a great typing song.
I loved this video, I got this typewriter when I was eight years old and I’ve loved it ever since. I actually learned how to type on a typewriter first so many of my friends have made fun of me for the aggressive way that I type, it’s a great machine.
Are they really your friends? They make fun of you for using a typewriter. Some friends-you’ll never need any enemies. You just go on typing like you’re doing. You’ll be fine. It’s yours. There are people today who have reverence and respect for those of us who know how to pilot these things.
@@johntapp7232 oh don’t worry, I’m no longer friends with any of the people who I was referring to a year ago! For different reasons, of course. And I agree! I still use mine regularly. It’s a great machine.
"kind of a crazy time in my life" what a wild life you've lived haha not hating just stating. Your writing will improve as you live your life and have some actual wild experiences. Great video. You make a good point about the typewriter being a tool for writers.
