Smart use of low tech products or processes within a high tech environment
Tom Hanks is the most high profile typewriter user. He collects them and particularly favours Hermes 3000 models. He uses typewriters for snail-mail letters, thank-you notes, office memos, to-do-lists and now writing short stories, with his book “Uncommon Type”.
Woody Allen uses a 1950s Olympia SM-3 typewriter, with a pair of scissors and stapler to provide a “cut and paste” function.
In the UK, writer Will Self, uses an Olivetti Lettera 22 for his 1st drafts, with the 2nd draft into IT file.
There appear to be some groups in the USA, but for now, London is without its’ own group or events. A challenge perhaps!
In the USA, Michael Magilligan USA is a Typewriter Activist and Bill Wahl (Mesa AZ USA) seems to organise events via his Typewriter Repair Shop,
If you need advice on a second hand typewriter, the best place to start is the original manual. You may get lucky and be able to obtain it with the machine. If not you can often find a copy on websites such as www.machinesoflovinggrace.com or Google “Richard Polt Typewriter”. Our thanks go to the many enthusiasts who produced the manuals collections for our use.
If you can’t find the actual manual, instructions of a similar machine will most likely get you up a running. Many levers and switches are common and in similar places across models.
Searching on YouTube for your particular typewriter model can sometimes find great videos showing you how to use your machine including interesting tips.
If you purchased your machine from an expert restorer, their knowledge should always be on-hand and is another reason to purchase from a trusted source.
Typewriters are mechanical marvels and it is astonishing that they break down relatively rarely. You should handle your machine with some respect however.
Be careful how you store it – they prefer room temperature and normal orientation.
Keep the dust down and cover up – dust clogging of the moving mechanical parts can eventually lead to problems.
Most manufacturers did not encourage owners to oil their machines – non-experts can cause problems that didn’t exist.
Some typists suggest always using two sheets of paper when typing to protect and prolong letter hammers and the roller. We think this varies with machine and is often not required.
Lastly, some typists also suggest releasing clamp settings on your machine when storing.
We welcome feedback on this and other care issues.
When it comes to repairs there are websites containing service manuals and tips to encourage you to repair your own machine. If you are very confident, then well maybe but specialist tools, parts and above all knowledge are hard to match!
Once again, if you purchased your machine from an expert restorer, they should always be on-hand to repair your machine. It may take a while due to capacity but it is again a good reason to purchase from a trusted source.
The good news is that European typewriters, or those meant for European markets tend to use the QWERTY key layout, which is on your laptop keyboard today. In case you are not aware, the name comes from the first six letters on the top letter row of your keys or keyboard. Therefore, whether you are a seasoned touch typer or a two fingered hack, you should find a mechanical typewriter key layout familiar.
There are however a number of things to look out for particularly on older typewriters. For example, the number 1, exclamation mark and hash are often not available on the keys.
However, these can be replicated as follows;
The most elegant way to correct letters is by using Correction Paper such as TIPP-EX.
These papers come in different colours so that you can match with the colour of the typing paper you are using. If, for example you have typed an incorrect x, you can backspace, hold a correction paper slip over the x and retype x. This will result in only the x disappearing, with only the x part coloured the paper colour. You can then type the correct letter where the x had been and the correction will be detected only by a keen eye.
Three other correction techniques are suggested;
Copies
We should allow ourselves to scan or photocopy typed sheets.
If however you wish to take the purist route or current copy facilities are just not available, carbon papers can be used.
This is the meat in a sandwich of two sheets in your typewriter roller. Make sure the carbon paper is the correct way around with the matt carbon side towards the second sheet. Type on your top sheet and a second copy will be produced on your second sheet. Depending on the gauge of your typewriter, you may be able to construct an original and two copies by placing a further carbon paper and then sheet behind the first set.
The basics – Typewriter ribbons have ink applied to them. As a Typewriter “letter hammer “hits the ribbon and a letter is formed onto your paper. Manual Typewriters move the ribbon along one letter space after each keystroke.
Ribbons are fed from one spool to another and when the feeder spool becomes empty, the Typewriter automatically changes the direction of the ribbon feed.
Thus, you will type using the same section of ribbon a number of times before you notice your type becoming “light” and it is time to change the ribbon.
Note that many Typewriters have a black and red type setting switch. This means that if your ribbon is black and red striped, the switch will direct your letter hammer to your desired colour depending on how you have set the switch.
If you are using a single colour ribbon, you have the option to double the life of your ribbon by typing on the black setting until the type is light and then switching to the red setting for continued typing at the ribbon colour. The common ribbon colours are black/red or black, although other colours do exist.
Obtaining the correct new ribbon for your Typewriter and installing can be tricky, but don’t despair, once you do it successfully, future changes will be easy!
Most ribbons look similar, however there are spool differences and in particular there can be eyelets at either end of the ribbon which signal to your Typewriter to change ribbon feed direction.
To ensure you purchase the correct ribbon for your typewriter, it is suggested that you contact one of the Typewriter supplies featured by downtechinglondon.com. This will not only mean you are sold the correct ribbon, but also you will be supporting fellow enthusiasts and helping keep typing alive.
Changing your ribbon for the first time – if you have an instruction manual be careful to follow the details. Feeding the new ribbon into the guides including the ribbon vibrator assembly (the area where the letter hammers hit) is a slight art. There is a YouTube movie – search “how to change a typewriter ribbon Hermes 3000”. This will show you some of the issues, in particular, the trick of setting your machine to red and gently jamming letters g and h to expose the middle section guides.
Ribbons are sold on plastic spools and if your vintage machine has metal spools, you will wish to retain these. New ribbon should be loaded on one of the original spools (a knitting needle can be useful to spin the spool). Again, guidance from an expert is suggested for you first ribbon change.
Typewriters tend to fall into three main design types.
20s 30s
Mostly black bodies, sometimes with beautiful chrome rimed keys. Particularly appealing designs when the reels and keys are exposed.
These machines, whilst old can still function well if expertly cleaned and serviced. Ribbon replacement is surprisingly usually achievable, given that you will probably need to re-feed original metal spools rather than straight replacement.
Brand examples of this period;
50s 60s
Often curved bodies with solid coloured keys, these retro machines are favoured by many collectors, including Tom Hanks
Brand examples of this period;
70s 80s
When Germany came into its own with Dieter Rams design styles. Check models such as the Olympia Traveller to see the direction. There is every chance that the appreciation for such design will continue to grow. The functionality is typically excellent.
Brand examples of this period;
News of the last mechanical Typewriter manufacturing is unclear!
Input and Feedback is welcomed!
In 2009 Godrej & Boyce, India ceased production and announced that they were the last typewriter manufacturer in the world.
However, in the UK, Brother continued until 2102, however a Brother plant in Asia was reported to be continuing mainly to supply legal firms.
Then there appears to be a company called Swintec who manufacture transparent typewriters appreciated by USA prison authorities, which experience inmates smuggling narcotics in IT equipment.
Finally for now, new Nakajima Electric machines appear for sale, however it is not clear if these are from a last production run or are still being made.
There are specialists in the UK who sell reconditioned vintage and retro models. In addition, they usually provide servicing, repairs and ribbons.
To-date, I have only purchased (Imperial Good Companion 1938 and Olympia Traveller) from George Blackman, who were, knowledgeable, prompt and delightful to deal with.
Review feedback on others listed is welcomed.
| Charlie Foxtrot Wiltshire | Very attractive website by Philip & Jules Chapman. Mainly online, but they do attend Antique & Vintage Markets, showing a range of typewriters and accessories. | website |
| Everest Typewriter Centre Wiltshire | Looks like a lovely old-school office equipment shop. With over 30 years experience, this is a rare typewriter destination within the outer London area. | website |
| George Blackman Bexhill-on-Sea | His shop maybe on the south coast, but his mail order service is excellent. George recently promoted typewriters on the BBC (The One Show) and he is building a typewriter legacy by passing on his skills to Gavin Eldridge. | website |
| London Typewriters West London | Alex is a keen Typewriter collector who also sells machines. Mail Order, with excellent reviews, his machines can be picked up if required. | website |
| The Typewriter Man Luton (online) | He appears extremely knowledgeable about Typewriters, no doubt being in the industry of many years. Now part-time, the Typewriter Man could be one of the very few to solve some machine problems. A Typewriter lifesaver! The site contains a Typewriter of the month feature, including a library of previous models reviewed. An excellent information resource. | website |