Nice piece. I use a Royal Quiet DeLuxe and an Olympia SM-9 at home, which I call my "desktops." I use a Smith-Corona Skyriter as my "laptop" for writing at the library, coffee houses, in the backyard, or anywhere else where I need to type "remotely." Nothing beats those writing machines!
I've been playing with the idea of getting an old typewriter for my classroom and set up a little writing center where students can practice typing. Maybe copying down poems or typing out drafts of their writing? Do you have any suggestions for what model would work well in my classroom? I don't have a lot of money to spend, so I'll probably check out garage sales this summer. What should I look for?
Manual or electric? I learned on my mother’s manual typewriter. Benefit? I learned to type without glancing down and never a typing class. It got me jobs from the get go all my life. But I’d recommend an IBM Selectric. Fast, not hard in the fingertips.
Both of my kids typed their papers on the selectricz We chose not to get a computer while they were in highschool - they had to learn to research in encyclopedias, at libraries and in bookstores. And think.
I tend to think to fail is actually beautiful because it is usually a lesson that needs to be learned. Although, it truly isn’t looked at that way while going through it.
I have three manual typewriters (one is my profile pic) and I love writing on them. There's something very pleasing about having no electronic barrier between you and your words.
.. am leaning real hard into some actual ‘typing .. in my near future .. it’s more about the tactile output.. & yes.. it was no brainer to select ‘Typing’ as option along with compulsory Math Physics Chem & Latin.. in Grade 9 .. all the girls did - follow the girls eh 101 .. wuz the closest I ever got to an ‘Art Class’ in 18 years of gettin educated.. Paper with Words on them a lifelong fetish .. specially if I can read them, touch them.. feel them.. even lick them or eat them..
My hands & fingers are all a mangle.. too much football, farm life, basketball, boxing, shooting, frozen car door handles, hockey, cameras in hand, slugging something’s flipping pages.. crackin beers or lobster.. grab that kid ! .. so mebbe the peace n quiet of the keys go clickedy wink .. upon a nice rough shod paper that can be handled by the carriage.. the key strikes.. in living ink .. yahoo !
Nice piece. I use a Royal Quiet DeLuxe and an Olympia SM-9 at home, which I call my "desktops." I use a Smith-Corona Skyriter as my "laptop" for writing at the library, coffee houses, in the backyard, or anywhere else where I need to type "remotely." Nothing beats those writing machines!
Love it, I haven't used the Skywriter much, but it has the best name ever: sure to conjure up worlds in the imagination!
I've been playing with the idea of getting an old typewriter for my classroom and set up a little writing center where students can practice typing. Maybe copying down poems or typing out drafts of their writing? Do you have any suggestions for what model would work well in my classroom? I don't have a lot of money to spend, so I'll probably check out garage sales this summer. What should I look for?
Message me and let me know your budget. I have a few ideas and a few lower cost machines around.
Manual or electric? I learned on my mother’s manual typewriter. Benefit? I learned to type without glancing down and never a typing class. It got me jobs from the get go all my life. But I’d recommend an IBM Selectric. Fast, not hard in the fingertips.
Both of my kids typed their papers on the selectricz We chose not to get a computer while they were in highschool - they had to learn to research in encyclopedias, at libraries and in bookstores. And think.
Both got jobs in college because of that skill.
The selectric I love, except the size. Some people like to carry a typewriter out to a cabin.
I tend to think to fail is actually beautiful because it is usually a lesson that needs to be learned. Although, it truly isn’t looked at that way while going through it.
Truly, always a lesson. Thank you.
I have three manual typewriters (one is my profile pic) and I love writing on them. There's something very pleasing about having no electronic barrier between you and your words.
Glad to hear you get the magic of it. Enjoy the writing without the barriers!
.. am leaning real hard into some actual ‘typing .. in my near future .. it’s more about the tactile output.. & yes.. it was no brainer to select ‘Typing’ as option along with compulsory Math Physics Chem & Latin.. in Grade 9 .. all the girls did - follow the girls eh 101 .. wuz the closest I ever got to an ‘Art Class’ in 18 years of gettin educated.. Paper with Words on them a lifelong fetish .. specially if I can read them, touch them.. feel them.. even lick them or eat them..
My hands & fingers are all a mangle.. too much football, farm life, basketball, boxing, shooting, frozen car door handles, hockey, cameras in hand, slugging something’s flipping pages.. crackin beers or lobster.. grab that kid ! .. so mebbe the peace n quiet of the keys go clickedy wink .. upon a nice rough shod paper that can be handled by the carriage.. the key strikes.. in living ink .. yahoo !
Typewriters can handle any kinds of fingers. Anyway, worth telling the stories.
Tries are beautiful too^^
Can't go wrong if the mindset is right.
Steven,
Great to find your Substack. I bought a '54 Smith Corona a few years ago and wrote about it:
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2022/07/why-and-how-i-use-a-typewriter/
Beautiful thank you I'd seen that before, just hadn't gotten around to replying here.