Smith-Corona Silent-Super Typewriter
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 17 янв 2021
- In a departure from my usual video, I discuss the Smith-Corona Silent-Super typewriter and I discuss why people like typewriters.
- Cooper Jensen discusses why he loves his typewriter - • Video
- Joe Van Cleave discusses shopping for typewriters - • TWVS Episode 5 - Shopp... (He does better scenery than I do!)
- How Sarah ended up with 17 typewriters - • TYPEWRITER TOUR: How I...
- Michael Archambault discusses why he uses a typewriter for writing - • Why I Choose to Use a ...
- RIley discusses owning a typewriter in 2018 - • WHY YOU SHOULD OWN A T...
- Ariel Bissett discusses why she bought a typewriter - • Why I Bought A Typewriter
- Kids React to Typewriters - • KIDS REACT TO TYPEWRITERS
- CBS discusses a typewriter renaissance - • A typewriter renaissance
- An amazing typewriter artist - • Typewriter Artist
- California Typewriter - californiatypewritermovie.com/
- Is Astrohaus the modern incarnation of typewriters? - • Astrohaus Freewrite an...
- Dominic Mruzek reviews a modern mechanical typewriter - • A quick look at The Ro...
- Murder, She Wrote Earlier Theme - • Murder She Wrote Seaso...
- Murder, She Wrote turns to computer (But kisses her pen) - • Murder She Wrote Seaso...
- Typewriter Repair Shops - site.xavier.edu/polt/typewrit...
- A reflection on price - themechanicaltype.blogspot.com...
- Date of typewriter by serial number - typewriterdatabase.com/Smith+...
- Detailed look at this model - • TypewriterMinutes - Ty...
- Manual - machinesoflovinggrace.com/manu...
Visit me on Instagram
/ waskisquirrel
Visit my slowly growing website at:
www.evernote.com/pub/jwaskiew...
For High Resolution Photos Visit:
www.evernote.com/shard/s630/s...
![Sean Rii, Karyon, Sharzkii - Taungule [My Love] (Official Music Video)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/eJoMuypbSzQ/mqdefault.jpg)
It’s such a beautiful machine. In really great condition, and lovely color. I remember when I first discovered what the margin release did. Oh man, was a glorious day, ha! I really appreciate how the typewriter lends itself to writing. I don’t think I could ever be inspired to write on a computer. But a fountain pen or typewriter? Feels almost endless the flow of inspiration and words that come to mind. Thank you for sharing such a detailed video with us!
I agree. And I agree about inspiration on the computer. It's a tool, but not an inspiring tool.
I type a lot because of my work; and I also hate laptop keyboards. One solution I found was to put them on a stand, and connect a mechanical keyboard. They returned to the market because of PC games, and now some are dedicated to typing; like the Razer ProType that i use. They have a tactile feel and the sound is not as loud as in gamer or programmer models; they don't compare to typewriters, but they are, in my opinion, far superior to laptop and workstations keyboards. Thanks for the video.
I keep looking at mechanical keyboards. I was surprised to learn that gamers brought about their renaissance. I've had the chance to use a few and I like them.
It is interesting how computer technology improvements have contributed to our throw away culture. I never thought about it, but a typewriter could be a lifetime tool, unlike a computer.
You're right! A laptop will last maybe 10 years at the outside if you're lucky.
Thats one of my FAVORITE things about stuff made back in the day... Its MADE TO LAST!! :))
If you took care of it i have no doubt you could keep one for your whole life and pass it down. Like a pen. Very cool.
@@WaskiSquirrel yeah you would be doing really good to get 10 years hah.
I feel also that it might be getting worse though. The next 10 years may be tougher to use one computer, then the last 10 years.
Time will tell lol
I have computers that the internet doesnt work on anymore simply because of the OS is not compatible... Apple and microsoft are getting better at MAKING you upgrade lol sadly. (Even when you computer is technically plenty powerfull for the task at hand)
I invested in a decent mechanical keyboard... it was life changing for me. They're not cheap, but if you ever get a chance to try one, I would highly recommend it. It transformed my computer typing experience...
I've had the chance to try a few. One was a Cherry (not sure what kind). I am seriously thinking about it.
A different kind of video from Waski today, Quite interesting to see inside these old machines, But brings back an unpleasant memory for me right after I graduated High School in CT I had to take a typing class at a business school ...I never could get the hang of it....I was the slowest typist in the class....but the instructor was a nice elder lady that passed me...
Jason you mentioned an old Texas Instruments Computer in the early 80s...I can remember those too...brings back great memories ...Also Comodor and Atari ....( I am 49yrs old) ...and remember 80s well..
Thanks for your Great videos sgain
Touch typing isn't too hard, but it has to be started at a younger age before too many bad habits form. Otherwise, it's really hard to relearn.
Yes, those 80s computers were great, and they were wonderful for learning programming.
Thank you Mr Waski...I loved this...apart from fountain pens and art typewriters are my other love in life. At one point I had 10 vintage typewriters but I have tinkered with, fixed and sold many of those over the years. The 3 I have left are my beautiful Imperial 'The Good Companion' from 1920's, a very trusty Olivetti Lettera 25 which I love but does not quite have the matching looks of the Imperial. Finally my most recent purchase about 10years ago a Hermes 305 Automatic which is a dream to type on. You made me laugh with the memory of your parents unrolling and rolling ribbons...I still do this as its so difficult to find new ribbons for the different models. I really appreciate how well you know you way around a typewriter...they are beautiful and my heart still skips a beat whenever I come across one. I really hope you enjoy yours which is gorgeous by the way, now that its been hauled out of its retirement! Sweet Blessings Mand X
I'm glad Adventure Denali inspired me to pull it out. I don't know that I'll use it the way she uses her Adler, and I certainly will not be adding to the collection. But I have it, so I'll see what kind of inspiration it gives me.
Wonderful video about your lovely typewriter, thank you. I love my fountain pens and I love my portable manual 1970s-bathroom-green plastic typewriter which I bought a couple of years ago, but I'm happy composing material on a laptop and don't have the aversion to the low-travel keys that many people display. I spent a lot of time last year writing the first draft of my first novel straight into Scrivener on a 12" MacBook and a 15" MacBook Pro; didn't suffer greatly from the distractions of being on a computer - just trained myself to see the time as sacrosanct so I turned off e-mails and concentrated on being in Scrivener working on my novel. I have always tended to be the type of person who starts at the beginning and travels in a straight line through to the end and so I didn't find myself being tempted to keep going back and revising just because it's possible.I have noticed, though, that when I have written small pieces by hand I'm much more likely to start wildly revising them as I'm typing them up. I suspect that the process of editing a novel is very different between using a typewriter and using a computer because with a typewriter you'd be re-writing every single word where on a computer you can leap in and out, taking out strategic targets without destroying everything nearby. I'm about to start editing my novel, so by the end of this process I may know more about whether this is a good or bad thing!
By the way, I had a Commodore 64!
Yes, turning off notifications was a game changer for me. I'm good at focusing on the task at hand, but those little messages, dings, and bloops all the time would take me out of the focus.
As for editing, I think the typed copy needs to be computerized by optical character recognition. Editing on a typewriter is silly, except maybe putting handwritten written notes on the hard copy after having scanned it. Absolutely, targeted editing is better.
Wow, thanks, for bringing to the fore so many typewriter/FP memories. Taking typing in my Senior Year in a almost 3K student suburban New Jersey HS. A 30-day, hour long morning course an hour before scheduled classes started at 8 AM. The school would not let college bound students take typing, which was reserved for business and secretarial school bound students.There were so many of them, no room in the schedule to schedule additional classes for the several typing labs. So after a few years of parental pressure the administration caved and set up the 30-day non-credit basic typing course for college prep students. My parents bought me a used Royal portable typewriter very similar to your SC. This was in 1960-61. Always grateful for my parents insisting I take the course. Learned to touch type, slowly and inaccurately. Took the Typewriter off to college, then grad school, never used it, preferring to write everything with my high school Parker Super 21. For the occasional required typed paper I paid another student to type from my hand written manuscript. Same for grad school, though the 21 now shared the writing with a Parker 61.
Same for my first 3 post grad positions, everything including weekly sermons composed and written with the Parker 61, and after it went missing, with its replacement 61 assembled for me by the Parker repair department, Janesville, from NOS parts in 1978. Still writing with it, though now it is waiting for a cracked hood replacement. Segue to mid 80s: taking a advanced counseling skills continuing ed course requiring typed counseling verbatims, confidential to be seen by only myself and the instructor, then destroyed. Found a huge 50 LB 1st generation office electric Underwood typewriter. Surprised that I could still pretty much touch type with all fingers. OK I thought, this will be good practice to get ready for the coming computer revolution, and it was. The Underwood actually took more force than my manual Royal, which I still had. After a month of sore hands I talked my local stationary and office supply store into taking the Underwood and the Royal as a small down payment on a state of the art SC electronic daisy wheel typewriter. My typing skills improved and I got the dozens of verbatims (+carbon) transcribed from my P61 written notes, and then I went pretty much back to total FP writing. Segue to early 90s: when the computer age dawned for my wife and I, the typing skills really helped. I even started carrying a ball point multi pen with my P61 for writing carbon checks and other brief “high pressure” writing, a “Meh” experience. I did not realize until years later when I really got the FP accumulation habit that the 61, 21s and 51s with their tubular hooded nibs were designed to be able to make 5 carbons. So, here I sit typing on a 7-year old iPad with a tiny Zagg keyboard the same size as the iPad, though long since separated from its cover designed to hold the iPad.
My pet keyboard peeve? I seem to recall when BlueTooth was developed that both BlueTooth and Apple promised that early BT devices would always be compatible with BT upgrades and later development. I have 3,1st generation BT, full sized keys with lots of travel, full sized Apple Keyboards. Love those KBs, typed on them for more than a decade with iBook Pros and a G4 tower, one at my office many miles from home, one at home, and. one at my 2nd career office. So, a month ago I thought it would be nice to type on a full sized keyboard again. I got one of the BT ones out, put new batteries in, set it on the table, began to start the BT pairing process with the iPad...spinning thinking sign... Surprise... text: “!” Unable to pair with this device! Yeah sure, thanks Apple and BT!
Touch-typing is a valuable skill. I'm actually typing this while reading your comment. Good for your parents recognizing the value of this skill all those years ago!
Quite the typewriter transitions there: and I'll admit I used to really like my daisy wheel typewriter.
That is disappointing that the bluetooth keyboards are no longer compatible. I haven't been using bluetooth long enough to run into that problem.
Greetings from England on a wet and windy day. Don't you just love the enthusiasm of adventuredenali. On the subject of typewriters reminds me of the typewriters my wife, who is a writer, has managed to get through over the fifty plus years we have been married. She was trained touch typing at school and because of course all typewriters were manual, she got used to pressing the keys really hard. Her first typewriter was as Smith Corona, then a Brother, then an Olivetti Electronic. Then into the space age with a, Brother word processor, that was about the size of a large suitcase with a CRT display. Then Canon srarwriter jet, with bubblejet printout. The reason for so many? Of course she used them all the time, but on top of that she really hammered on the keys, and the keys wore out! She now of course uses a laptop, but still can't get out of the habit of hammering the keys. Her current DELL has half the keys impossible to read. When I mention this to her, all she says is, "I don't notice it, I never look at the keys when I'm typing"!
Her enthusiasm is infectious!
Your wife is right: true touch typists do not look at the keys. Interesting about the "hammering". I suppose that's a habit she developed and can't change.
Thanks Jason. This took me back. The Smith Corona portable took me through high school, college, and law school. But I never thought of it as silent!
Definitely not silent! Maybe that is relative to other typewriters of the day?
@@WaskiSquirrel Maybe. I understand that if you like the noise of typing, there is a way to get your computer to make the sound, although I'm not sure how that's done.
I’ve seen a few typewriters that are extremely quiet, not silent, but as quiet as a whisper. Such a sweet thrill. This particular Smith-Corona sounded to me as comparatively quieter than many others.
Howdy Waski!!!! Greetings from Ann Arbor, MI. I love fountain pens like you, and I also love using mechanical typewriters. I have an Olivetti Lettera 32 ( Italian made), and a Olympia SM-9 and an Olympia SF typewriters. Both are West German made, both are from the 1960's and all three work very well after my friend Charly did her magic. Kinda adjusted it like a nibmeister soups up out pens. Thanks for the video
Sounds great! The typewriters of that era were solid and well made. A little TLC brings them back to life. I hope to do the same with this typewriter.
Reminds me of my highschool days. We owned an Olivetti and a huge electric typewriter. I admire typists that transcribe handwritten notes with speed!
I was able to get up to speed in high school. I'm still decently fast, but nowhere near the level I was at back then.
This was a really cool video. My mom had a Royal typewriter I adopted when I was about 9. I wish I still had it.
I am so glad you enjoyed! I've never used a Royal, but my experience with that Adler in my parents' basement and my experience with this Smith Corona tells me I would enjoy it. There is so much we don't appreciate from our childhoods!
Thank you for this detailed look at your typewriter. I also own a small portable machine made by 'Silver-Reed'. This was purchased brand new in a UK store called 'WH Smiths' who sell books, magazines, newspapers and stationery. I think I paid about £40.00 for mine. It still works and is in good condition. Recently I searched the internet for a new ribbon and found a supplier. So, I have a new ribbon to put on the typewriter. The problem I have now, as I get older, is aches and pains in my hands and fingers. I have worked with computers for a long time and I use them for leisure purposes. Bashing away on typewriter keys would probably give me some sort of repetitive strain injury. Because of that I don't suppose my old typewriter will get much more use unless I sell it.
That may be true. A typewriter keyboard definitely requires a lot more muscle use and joint movement, something that could be a problem if you have problems with your fingers. I have the feeling that this typewriter will be more a novelty than a regular piece of my work flow.
I’m so thankful for this. I had been wistfully thinking about typewriters from time to time during the past year. And even considered buying one for random use at home. AdventureDenali’s recent video convinced me that my reborn enthusiasm for the typewriter was genuine. And ever since you posted pics of this beautiful, vintage-y blue, classic Smith-Corona machine, I was more convinced I now want a typewriter again. This machine is just as old and vintage as your priceless black Aurora 88, no less. And you got a ridiculous steal at only $20 for it. I’m willing to pay $100 for something both elegant and reliable for use anytime I wish.
I also dislike laptop & desktop PC keyboards. You correctly pointed out the standout pros and cons of using the typewriter to write anything. Luckily, I rarely ever make typos, but the inability to delete and rephrase something is definitely a downside. But, for me, not a deal-breaker at all. The maintenance of the machine can be a bit challenging and feel like a chore. Using the typewriter is definitely a skill that must be learned and mastered. And I actually love and enjoy things that require extra attention, care and maintenance. It makes owning and using such objects more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Again, many thanks for this unveiling and demonstration of a classic old beauty for the ages.
Out of curiosity, I looked that prices for vintage typewriters on eBay. They really can be had for very little.
Yes, the maintenance is needed. But, on the upside, a lot of it is maintenance normal people can do. If something goes wrong with the internals on my laptop, I'm probably sending it away for repairs!
@@WaskiSquirrel ..Oh, that’s encouraging to hear. I have to decide what I want, patiently search on eBay and hopefully find a machine I want at the right price. And yes, the maintenance part I don’t mind at all.
I loved the IBM Selectric because you could fix mistakes by hitting a key. The white out was built in. Also a great keyboard. It was a beast though. I can't remember what typewriter I had in college. It was electric and I got it from Sears I think. Personal computers hadn't become a thing yet. My sister had an Underwood 319 that she was able to use sitting in her bed. At 10 she was writing a book! I didn't have a typewriter after computers came out but I've been dismayed by the abysmal keyboards on current laptops. I started with IBM Thinkpads. Now those had great keyboards. I currently use a mechanical keyboard with my Mac to recapture that kind of feeling when typing. I haven't tried a Freewrite. They're a bit too expensive for my me. But I do have an AlphaSmart Neo, which is great for writing and operates with a similar thought process. It's a place to get the words out without distractions. They were originally designed for schools. It runs on 3 AA batteries, which last for 700 hours. It has a small display and is great for getting the words down. You can then send them to any program that accepts text via USB. It's great because you shouldn't be editing while you write anyway. I got mine for $20 on eBay.
The typewriter I bought in high school was like that. It had correction tape as well as the ribbon. IBM had the early version of this.
I've heard about the AlphaSmart Neo. I may have to look into that. And you're one of many who has suggested buying a mechanical keyboard. I am sorely tempted!
Somewhat more sophisticated than the manuals I had. But essentially the same experience. Using my 30s portable Remington made me feel like a reporter in a black and white movie.
This was a great machine for 1956! And it still works 65 years later.
This video reminded me of the typewriter that belonged to my grandfather and now I want to make a video with it too! It is an old typewriter, very used... Well, so many memories. It is fun how objects may start us thinking about our loved ones.
That machine has the old (no longer in use) Portuguese keybord layout (not the QWERTY layout) which makes it impossible - for me, at least - to write quickly because I never know where the letters are.
Thanks a lot for this video.
You should! It would be interesting to see the layout.
And, yes, objects can really bring back memories of the people we love.
@@WaskiSquirrel Thanks for encouraging me. I don't want to be copying your work on your channel. But you are too often very inspireing. Maybe I will do it. However I will never be able to type as fast as you do. The layout is different and so I'm not used to it. I'm used to the QWERTY of the computer and it takes ages for me to find the right key to press on that typewriter.
@@OdE-ObjectosdeEscrita I don't think that's copying any more than I copied Adventure Denali. And I think your unique keyboard would be interesting to non-Portuguese viewers.
@@WaskiSquirrel I guess I'll do it. I borrowed it from my grandmother, so it is here at home, ready for me to use it...
I grew up on typewriters, learning touch typing in summer school between high school freshman and sophomore years. My father was kind enough to give me his IBM Selectric when I went away to college for writing my papers (late 60's) -- I ended up typing papers for other students for pocket money. I continued to use typewriters when I went to work, until the mid-80's when we got dedicated electronic terminals connected to the mainframe. Sometime in the early 90's we finally got regular PCs, and that's all I've used since then. I don't really miss typewriters, it's either pens or a computer for me.
I won't say I "miss" typewriters. But they do have their strengths. This is one of those things that has been sitting in storage for years. I pulled it out thanks to Adventure Denali. I'll keep it out for a while to see how much I actually use it.
Oh, this video so makes me want to find a typewriter now. Thanks for the lovely overview of this amazing machine. Speaking of Linux, I use Linux on my laptop, runs super-fast and love it. :)
You are so welcome! And yes, Linux is good stuff. I'd like to play with it again.
@@WaskiSquirrel hello Mr Squirrel, I loaded Linux Ubuntu on my HP laptop, I like the simple desktop design yet still very powerful.
Now, that optic thing DOES sound tempting. X)
It reminds me of how some artists would usually draw in traditional and then use the computer for coloring and relatively minor changes to the linework.
OCR has a lot of potential. And I suspect I could photograph the pages with my cellphone to upload them. Then I could edit them to my heart's content with a nice red pen and made changes on the computer.
If you are contemplating a mechanical keyboard, check out unicomp... They are still building IBM keyboards on the original tooling. They just aren't branded IBM. They are affordable and have a lovely feel to them. I think they are built in what used to be a "Lexmark" (remember how IBM spun off some of their PC gear to that name?) factory in Kentucky. The only difference with the new ones is that they have usb connectors instead of the old round PS2 plugs :)
Thank you for that information. I had not heard of this brand! I'm still searching, so that helps.
Good point about the PS2 plugs! My old mechanical keyboards would never work now without some kind of an adapter.
Wow. Great machine. This reminds me of the film Naked Lunch for some odd reason.
Different brand, but I can see that!
I started college (as a mature student) in 1992 with an electronic typewriter, and my first couple of essays were saved into its memory in multiple parts. Even though I had programmed computers from the early 80s, I didn't learn how to use word processing until a course in my first term, after which I haven't used a typewriter for anything much at all. I don't even own one now :'(
Honestly, I haven't typed on a typewriter in years until Adventure Denali inspired me to pull this out.
These machines are bulletproof and they'll sadly never be made again. My dad had a old Royal desktop. I picked up a nice Royal Quiet deluxe about 15 years ago helping a family clean up their parents old house. Since I've picked up a old Underwood and a nice little Brother ultra portable. My young boys have the type writer bug now too.
This is very true. It just would not be financially feasible to make a typewriter of this quality any more.
Not really my field but very interesting all the same,thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! This will probably be my only typewriter. But it is an interesting tool to use for the right application.
Stuck with the wide frame eh, i think it looks good.
Your giving me an itch to check some garage sales or thrift stores... For typewriters but also lots of other things like pens and paper!
Im also into vintage calculators ha. I have one with old school display and mechanical keyboard from germany. It plugs in the wall and stays on my desk :P
I dont use it every day but once in a while i will use it a lot :)
I'm still on the cellphone. The camera should arrive at the repair center tomorrow. Then we'll see what happens!
Around here, thrift stores and garage sales may yield the occasional typewriter, but I don't find many fountain pens for some reason.
Yes, vintage calculators are fun! I have an old mechanical adding machine displayed in my house. I also have an original 1970s TI-30. And, over the holidays, I picked up a non-functioning Friden STW-10. I hope as I have time over the summer, I can work on it during those miserable hot days and get it working again.
@@WaskiSquirrel very cool! Hope you get it working :)
I thought i was the only one into old calculators ;)
Mine says Olympia CD 402 on it. I love it, though it could use some cleaning inside.
Id like to get a nice handheld one someday too :)
Very similar to the Royal I got (from a local weekly auction) in high school. Probably even the same vintage. However, mine was single colour. Made it through college, with only one repair, the cable in it (cotton, I think) needing replaced, which my dad did with shark line. I really wish I still had it...
Though, like you, I do prefer actual writing by hand.
Took typing in high school, and was told that I had the worst form, but I still managed to get higher scores for the speed drills. 😁 All that really matters, innit?
I agree with the difference between typing and word processing. And the whole tactile sensation. Closer to actually handwriting than anything word processing. Though penmanship I still prefer to even typing... 😁
Also, a typewriter still has it's place. When I worked in my last full time job for my local juvenile facility, we still used an IBM Selectric with the "disco ball" type head for anything intake related. Don't know if they are still using it (it's been 10 years...) but even the sheriff department still used them instead of the computer, last I knew. Of course, my county is kind of Michigan rural... 😁
Typewriters didn't disappear right away. I remember when I was 16 going to the State Police barracks to get my drivers' license. I was surprised to see they were still using typewriters there: it was 1992 or so then. I think it had to do with filling in their specific forms.
The high school secretary here still has a typewriter on her desk, and for the same reason: she needs it for certain forms that aren't computerized.
@@WaskiSquirrel Why we still used it. And the person in charge of intake was insistent on still using them. Would not surprise me if they still are using them, though she retired years ago.
It's a great typewriter. I found mine at a local thrift store for around $7.00... in great condition!
From what I've seen, that's an incredible price for this machine. I thought I found a bargain!
Thank you for this time travel.
Fun fact: Did you know that the key layout of those typewriters (which has been kept in modern computer keyboards) was designed to slow down the person typing a text? Early versions of key layouts resulted in too many keys being pressed at once which clogged up the mechanics. This interrupted the flow of typing. So someone analysed the distribution of letters in typical texts and rearranged the layout so it would be difficult to type typically adjacent letters at the same time. Today there are some computer keyboards available with more efficient layouts but they are rarely used as all typing training material is still centered on the standard key layout. That's also a reason why different languages use different key layouts (have you ever tried to type a text with a french keyboard?).
I've heard that. You saw me clog it up a few times because the keys are a little sticky. I think a more efficient keyboard would be worse for me because I would have to relearn to type.
Interesting about other languages. I'd never thought of that, but it does make sense.
It's amazing what removing distractions can do for productivity. Using a typewriter is similar to pen and paper, for the most part the distractions of font and edits are put aside so the stream of thought can flow. And now for the flip side, sort of, you can do something similar on your laptop. If you're using Microsoft Word (I'm sure others have this) you can go to the menu and select View | Focus and your view will resemble a plain sheet of paper with all those pesky distractions hidden away. This goes back to when Bill Gates and Warren Buffet were discussing the number one thing needed for success; focus. At least that the story and it is in Word so maybe it's true. Anyway, if you want a distraction free experience on a laptop, that's pretty close. Click on the upper right "Restore Down" icon to get back to normal.
I agree about the distractions. I mostly use Typora or LaTeX for my typing on the computer, and that works very well int erm sof distractions.
Interesting thing about people like Bill Gates: these big tech people who sell us their product often limit their own kids' access to technology. It's almost as if they know there is a problem with too much technology for kids...
@@WaskiSquirrel Good point. The fact that he mostly reads book with real paper pages seems to support that too.
I certainly get the idea of typewriters and can see how fountain pen people can find themselves also being attracted to them. I had a spell in my teens where I used one for serious purposes. I also remember the TI99/4A and wanted one, but I ended up getting a CBM64. Would I get a typewriter now? The analogue lover in me would say yes, but it would be one more lump of metal largely sat here gathering dust. A Parker 51 is a little more portable, quieter and space efficient though :)
That's funny: I wanted the CBM64! And, to be honest, if I didn't already own this typewriter, I don't think I would go out and buy one now. Still, I have it, so maybe I'll see if I make use of it.
That is a piece of history. Never throw it away. Ans also i think is nice to go back so many years and see what was like then. The only thing I don’t know is what it uses to print on the paper? Because is not an ink toner like today.🧐 I suppose it won’t last forever, no? 😁ty
You can still buy ribbons for this model. Apparently there are enough still in use that companies can justify making ribbons.
For those us who want to bring a bit of the typewriter feel to our computers (it's not the same, but better than these super slim mac boards), gamers use mechanical keyboards. I have one and it makes typing more enjoyable. Until I come across an old typewriter I'll have to write with that. ☺️
I am seriously thinking about that. I had the chance to use a few. One was a Cherry keyboard of some kind, and I really liked that.
The most I've experienced of a typewriter was that there was an upperclassman who apparently used one in middleschool.
Looking back, it probably would've benefitted myself as well.
I have strange feelings at the fact that I didn't get into fountain pens until a mere few years ago. It feels like if I went more analog and much earlier, I'd have more healthy internet habits? This is coming from the same person who might be listening to something as they also try and divide their attention while writing journals. XD At least I've made a habit of using a planner and a sketchbook and a journal separately as an excuse.
No typewriters or mechanical keyboards, but I'm pretty content with the fountain pen hole at the moment.
Funny thing: a lot of the big executives in these tech companies really limit access to technology for their own kids. It's almost like they know something about technology that we mere mortals do not.
Yes, I'm glad I grew up before the internet and cell phones. My habits were pretty solidified by the time these came into my life. I tend to see them as a useful tool rather than as an extension of myself.
That mechanical keyboard might have been an IBM Model M or F, or an Alps Keyboard. (This is crossing into another one my hobbies.) You probably know something about the modern mechanical keyboard movement. I paid part my way through university by running Tip Top Typing service from my old PC|xt attached to a daisywheel electric typewriter.
I have paid some attention to the modern mechanical keyboards, even tried a few. They feel so much nicer than what I'm typing this with.
@@WaskiSquirrel They still make Model M keyboards in the USA. Wonderful to type with if you don't mind how loud they are.
I use LaTeX too.
It's an excellent tool for formatting words and math on paper.
Oddly, the clicking of mechanical keyboards does not bother me. In my early I.T. career (1980s) I was a data entry operator and we had to key in all kinds of transactions on the now famous IBM keyboards. I also got to see many "interesting" company transactions since we keyed in Accounts Payable, Payroll and General Ledger.... LOL Of course, we had to keep our mouth's shut!
It doesn't bother me either except when it's not my keyboard. And I want to be alone when I'm the one clicking. Yes, I'm sure you got to see a lot of interesting things in the transactions of a large company!
That's a beautiful typewriter. I love that color.
Thank you! I found a good one by chance!
Ok, but don't start smoking and wearing a rumpled fedora, and saying things like, "Give it to me straight, see." You've got a cool typewriter, there, a real "way back" machine. My sibs and I grew up writing school papers on what I believe was a Royal, black metal body, round black keys with white letters. It was a relic in the 60s and we had no thoughts of it having any value someday. No idea what became of it, but I'm curious and will ask around in my family. We certainly didn't think it was cool as everything about typing was a pain, especially correction and bottom margin with footnotes, etc. Ugh! Thanks for sharing your mechanical marvel. Next, we'll be seeing writing samples in shorthand. 😉 Take care!
It would be a a good look. Luckily smoking bothers my lungs!
Yes, it's amazing when you look back the things you took for granted.
Most of my family (mother, father, grandparents, aunts and uncles), all worked at Smith-Corna until they closed. My grandfather even had a set of tools for aligning the strike plates. But, they are out of business, anything new you see with their name on it is made by somet else.
Plus, their downfall was their own doing. In the 80s they moved their manufacturing to Mexico, and nothing that came out of there ever worked, and was repaired in Cortlandville, NY, (because their original factory in Groton, NY was closed at that point), ( Groton, NY factory was originally the Royal Typewriter factory). The other thing they did was the turned down the opportunity to make word processors, for if I remember right a company that turned in to Acer.
Just a little info from a fan who grow up and lives in NY, but with a heart that still misses my Foster Grandparents farm near wellsboro, Pa.
Thank you for the personal history about Smith Corona. And you are right: they weren't prepared for the changing market.
Interesting about your Foster Grandparents. My mother and her parents grew up around Wellsboro and Mansfield. My grandmother grew up on a farm (with some sad Depression history around that), and both grandparents ran a dairy farm until the beginning of the 1970s while my grandfather also held down a full-time job at the Corning glassworks.