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A Nice Little Primary Day Diversion

Posted by SHAUN MULLEN, TMV Columnist in Uncategorized.
Mar 4th, 2008 | Comments

When I was a kid I had a toy Simplex typewriter like this one, albeit a few years newer. It was a great rainy day diversion and held me in good stead when I graduated to my first real typewriter a few years later.

Alas, the typewriter is going the way of the buggy whip and on the very rare occasions that I hear its “tap, tap, tap” it stops me dead in my tracks.

Richard Polt offers A Phenomenology of Early Typewriters, a delightfully informative diversion on this nail-biting primary day. Enjoy.

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OutOfContext

Nice diversion, indeed. I've been collecting old typewriters for years, but have never found a place to get advice on repairs or ribbons. The website you've linked to has a repair shop listed in my little town and Richard Polt teaches at one of my alma maters.
It's kind of fun being so very conspicuous when you write using a typewriter. There's also a unique visual and even tactile pleasure in a typewritten page. Don't miss the white-out, though.

archangel

I agree OutOfContext. And Shaun, thank you for this, and the pix too. Dear. Really sweet

I have several what I call 'bangers' inc my first one, Black Beauty (old old smithcorona, and another Big Boy, a Royal. (But of course each has a name lol)

There is also a small piece of software made by a german co that will allow you to hear authentic typewriter sounds on your PC keyboard... complete with tinging bell at Return.

dr.e

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