Music for your reading pleasure: You Tube ~ The Typewriter by Leroy Anderson
A large display caught my eye as I entered the library. Several dozen typewriters showed the evolution of these once common machines. I took a moment to study them.
Most had the QWERTY keyboard, which my research showed became the standard in the 1880’s, about the time that typewriters took off. The Smith Premier No. 4, above, had two keyboards instead of a shift key.
The 100 years that followed were the heyday of the typewriter. The IBM Selectric shown above was introduced in 1961, and became the standard for the next twenty-five years. Its dominance was due in part to the fact that IBM sold many to school districts. Kids who learned to type on one of these were more likely to keep using them as they graduated and entered the workforce.
Ms. Smith, take a memo:
The secretary would take the dictation down in shorthand, then proceed to her typewriter, type it out with carbon copies, then carefully present it to her “boss” for approval. Then mail it out and wait for a response.
Did you learn to type on a manual typewriter? I learned on my mother’s old manual typewriter, but was happy to learn to use an IBM Selectric in my 11th grade typing class. Typing was strongly recommended for all students who intended to go to college.
Who would have thought that typewriter usage would fade so quickly? IBM did. They sold out their typewriter division in 1991, completely exiting the market that they had dominated for so long.
At the dawn of the 20th century the future of the typewriter seemed assured. But in less than 100 years by the year 2000 that wonderful invention was practically dead. No typewriters, no carbon paper, no regular paper.
Today you can still get a brand new Nakajima typewriter for $239. There are many who still like the process of ink and paper.
But can you imagine if we were still living in that world? Today I simply write out my thoughts, with links and pictures. Instantly my thoughts appear on your phone or tablet. No paper, no postage, no bookstore.
I use an iPad with a keyboard attachment. The efficiency is amazing. I import photos and links right into the story and take it all for granted!
But I am not generating simply words on paper. Rather I am generating a gateway to my thoughts. And you, in turn, have the ability to respond, to like, to share, or to delete! You can share your thoughts just as easily.
This new technology has been a fundamental change in the way we exist, as a species. We are becoming so interconnected.
What will the world be like 100 years from now? Or even 40 years from now? The neural networks we have created will change and shape us in ways we cannot imagine.
I was tempted to wax nostalgic about these old typewriters. But upon reflection I say, “good riddance!”
Bring on the next generation of iPhones and iPads or whatever else is out there. I love the instant connections we have now to each other, all over the world!
Thanks for coming along on this journey! Happy you’re here~!
My highschool played The Typewriter by Leroy Anderson a couple years ago- complete with a vintage typewriter! By far one of the most fun pieces we’ve ever played.
I taught myself how to type on the old-fashioned black Underwood typewriter you have posted a photo of. Like you, I took typing in high school on an IBM Selectric. At home I had an electric Smith Corona for my assignments and it served all my needs until I bought an IBM Selectric from a friend who was upgrading the equipment in his office. I've been typing since... I was old enough to put the paper in the typewriter. Thanks for writing such a nostalgic article.