This morning I was listening to Pandora Radio (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=26106) while doing a little work on the computer, and Warren Zevon's Carmelita (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff9T9OyVld4) came up, which includes the line "I pawned my Smith Corona..." First it occurred to me that a young listener would have no idea that he was referring to a typewriter, then I wondered if the company even still exists. It does (http://www.smithcorona.com/products/products.cfm?cfid=264902&cftoken=90142576), but I wonder how. If there's any product that represents technological anachronism, it's a typewriter. Who uses them, and why?

I used them to address envelopes for a long time, but when the machine started giving me problems I just began addressing them by hand. Hate feeding them into a computer printer.

Check this out! He also did a monitor.

http://steampunkworkshop.com/keyboard.shtml

Check this out! He also did a monitor.

http://steampunkworkshop.com/keyboard.shtml

Caster,

This guy is a great handyman! Fantastic descriptions of his great projects.

Thanks for posting!

Stijloor.

Interesting. I have at least three working typewriters, including one completely manual one. The last time I used ANY of them was to fill in blanks on a preprinted form. (maybe five years ago!)

Now, if the form isn't available on an interactive website, I scan it into the computer, use Adobe or a word processor to fill it in and then print or transmit electronically.

I also have a buggy whip somewhere in my garage!;)

Same vein - how about faxes? I have two fax machines that haven't been hooked to a phone since 2001. Everything today is making the internet more and more dominant for communication.

Another rant - when will "electronic" tickets become truly electronic? Instead of printing out a boarding pass and ticket myself, why can't I just flash id or run my credit card or driver's license through a scanner to board the plane once I've paid in advance?

I used them to address envelopes for a long time, but when the machine started giving me problems I just began addressing them by hand. Hate feeding them into a computer printer.
The last time I saw a typewriter in use it was being used as a label printer, and that was probably ten years ago.

I inherited a few IBM 'Golfballs' typewriter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Selectric_typewriter) and some manual ones when I took over a business years back. Over the years, I had given the golfballs away as parts are becoming scare. Now, I kept a manual Olivetti (Italian) as contingency - handy when there are power outages or for those giant size envelopes or odd shape documents. Manual typewriters are practically maintenance free and ribbons (not original) are still available here.

I also have a buggy whip somewhere in my garage!;)


ummm, Wes, what you do with your free time is truly up to you, now if you will excuse me, I'm goint to rinse my eyes and ears in clorox before you tell us about the other toys that reside in your domocile.:notme:

ummm, Wes, what you do with your free time is truly up to you, now if you will excuse me, I'm goint to rinse my eyes and ears in clorox before you tell us about the other toys that reside in your domocile.:notme:Back in the 1940's, I drove a little cart and pony in a parade to welcome home the troops. It may not be the same buggy whip from the parade, but certainly one from that era.

I also have a yoyo and a giant kite (the navy towed them behind ships for gunnery practice) from that era that some uncle sent home as souvenirs.

What kind of toys do YOU play with?:confused:

I expect there's a market for used typewriters, the older the better, within the scrapbooking worlds... something my wife is now exploring.

I've also seen parts of the REALLY old ones used in jewelry (i.e.: the old round keys used as pendants). Great concept, especially for those that like the "vintage" look with a modern twist.

I'm a scrapbooker, not sure how they'd be used for that, as I doubt the inks are acid-free... maybe some of the smaller parts?

I have an ancient fold-up typewriter (about 14" square, 4" high when folded) that I keep as a collector (was my grandfather's, pre WWII). I have seen collectors seeking some of the older models, and even the IBM selectric (the "golfball").

I have a few old typewriters, and recently had to use one when I purchased some preprinted legal forms. This seems to be about the only use left. I also have a few old Friden mechanical calculators - haven't used them since the late 60's.

So far it looks like there are some old typewriters in use, but I still wonder what keeps a company like Smith Corona in business. Who's buying new ones?

What kind of toys do YOU play with?:confused:

I have a buggy whip also.:lmao: Hey! My avatar is a cowgirl drawing!

I still use my Smith Corona to type envelopes and fill in a form every now and then.

I have a buggy whip also.:lmao: Hey! My avatar is a cowgirl drawing!Then wouldn't it be a quirt you have or maybe even a bullwhip to drive cattle and horses? Buggies in the old west were for schoolmarms!:)

Even the tough girls need to gussy up now and then. But I do have a bull whip, a quirt, even a set of hobbles, skid boots and a lasso and way too many pieces of equine equipment to list here. But, hey, I don't have a typewriter anymore.

We use our typewriters to type up buggywhip orders!

Actually, sometimes customers will fax a form to fill out, and it comes in crooked. I have tried to straighten some on the copier, but often I will give up and put it into the typewriter, where it easy to square up the text. Hey, at least their checks are filled in correctly.