Manual Typewiters

[erehwesle]

Anyone else use them? I am a writer, and usually like to draft on a manual 'writer.

I have a lovely late 60s / early 70s Adler Contessa, but my favorite is my german keyboard 1938 Seidel & Naumann Erika 5 Tabulator.

Best,
T

 

[oc_in_fw]

I had late 70's portable Smith Corona with case when I was in high school. No idea where it ended up.

 

[Legion]

I used to pound out letters on this old 50's SC just for fun. I left it behind at the ex's place due to a lack of storage space, but I might go fetch it one day.

I do still have this little Imperial portable somewhere.

 

[Viseguy]

Tangentially related: If you're in a typewriting mood but need to be at your computer keyboard, there are some wonderful free typewriter fonts (for Windows) at The Classic Typewriter Page. I just noticed that a new one has been added since my last visit:

 

[rebos]

I have an Olympia in need of a fresh ribbon. I had to give away my Hermes 3000 when I moved across the country (those things aren't light).

What I'd really like is a nice Smith-Corona Super Silent, so as not to wake up the neighbors when I'm typing away. Send details if you have one
sitting in your basement

It's the noise of the keys that the wife and neighbors can't handle. I don't get it, myself. It's a lovely sound.

 

[knlgskr]

Early 1960s Royal Safari, Elite, excellent condition with case, instructions, etc. was easy to use.

 

[Legion]

I have an Olympia in need of a fresh ribbon. I had to give away my Hermes 3000 when I moved across the country (those things aren't light).

What I'd really like is a nice Smith-Corona Super Silent, so as not to wake up the neighbors when I'm typing away. Send details if you have one
sitting in your basement

It's the noise of the keys that the wife and neighbors can't handle. I don't get it, myself. It's a lovely sound.

Totally. When I am looking for a typer I want the LOUDEST one I can get. It's a bit like the guys who ride Harley's that can make the windows shake as they ride past. You want your correspondence to wake the neighbours.

 

[Slivovitz]

I've still got the Smith Corona portable that I got in 1975 when I graduated high school. I even ordered a couple of spare ribbons for it a few years ago and tried it out for the sake of nostalgia. One interesting feature is that it has a couple of replaceable keys. If you needed special characters, you could order them, replacing both the key itself and the type for the end of those typebars.

No intention of getting rid of it, but unless we have a really lengthy power outage, it won't be replacing my computer.

 

[Taipei Personality]

My grandmother's Royal Quiet Deluxe.

 

[Hunter]

Those are cool, though I would think getting ink ribbons might be hard for some models though.

 

[Cynomys]

Those are cool, though I would think getting ink ribbons might be hard for some models though.

I still regular and frequently use my 1941 Underwood Standard. I get my ribbons from Dan Puls (http://mrtypewriter.tripod.com/).

 

[Mick]

I have had a Smith Corona Galaxie scriptwriter since the 1960's

From what I understand they are rather rare now.

They type in cursive script. WAY cool

EDIT: Whoops.... This scriptwriter is an ELECTRIC not a manual... Sorry bout that chief

 

[The Zigster]

Anyone else use them? I am a writer, and usually like to draft on a manual 'writer.

I have a lovely late 60s / early 70s Adler Contessa, but my favorite is my german keyboard 1938 Seidel & Naumann Erika 5 Tabulator.

Best,
T

You are giving me nightmares of high school and university, but even then I used an electric. To me manual typewriters are for masochists.

 

[Dusty1]

I understand why they are rare, because they were a pain to use! I love my naturals keyboard on my computer.

 

[rajagra]

To me manual typewriters are for masochists.

You mean they're Hard Work?

Tangentially related: If you're in a typewriting mood but need to be at your computer keyboard, there are some wonderful free typewriter fonts (for Windows) at The Classic Typewriter Page.

May as well add the sound effects too: http://www.leeos.com/noisy_keyboard.html

 

[Mr5x5]

I haven't used one in over 30 years. I do miss the sound, but like the ease of revisions with a computer.

 

[erehwesle]

Nice Galixie Turtle! Here is a crappy phonecam pic of my Erika

 

[erehwesle]

I haven't used one in over 30 years. I do miss the sound, but like the ease of revisions with a computer.

It is why I draft on a typewriter, as it is HARD to revise. You have to start over, literally. I am a poetry writer, I do think I would feel different if I was a novelist, or even a short story guy.

Best,

T

 

[Rughi]

...To me manual typewriters are for masochists.

They were good for building up generations of strong pinky fingers, unlike those coddled pinkies you see in today's society.
Why, I was teaching my grand daughter the virtues of the manual typewriter just last weekend...and she liked it!

Roger

 

[erehwesle]

strong pinky fingers

yeah, on the German 'writers the shift is often higher, I can stop a train with my pinky finger.

Now when I go to snooty parties and drink martinis, discriminating women can see by my extended pinky finger how awesome I write!