Typewriters

Very.

Rasmus Malling-Hansen, a danish inventor, created the spherical Hansen Writing Ball in 1870 which became the first commercially sold typewriter.

Cool.

Still used on computers today, the QWERTY layout was designed to prevent jamming. By placing commonly used keys further apart, it reduced the likelihood of typebars getting stuck.

Stuff.

The word “typewriter” itself can fully be typed using only letters found on the top row of a QWERTY keyboard.

Once upon a time in 2004, Tim Devin was fooling around with a kid’s typewriter in a bar. Eventually, the bartender became irritated with the clanking and Devin defended himself by jokingly announcing he was, in fact, the conductor of the “Boston Typewriter Orchestra“. That cooky statement got Devin’s creative juices flowing and he and the BTO collective have been combining vintage office supplies and creative genius ever since. Check out their cool “clickity ding-a-lingy” style!

Hansen’s Skrivekugle

Let’s get crafty

Artyping is using letters, numbers and symbols on your keyboard to create designs such as borders, portraits and even intricate landscapes. The Brooklyn Furniture Co. ad to the left is a great example.

Modern artists such as James Cook create stunning images that are incredibly detailed, but it’s a very simple idea anyone can play around with. Don’t have a typewriter? Use your computer and start working on your masterpiece right away!

Get inspired and learn some tips and tricks by checking out these free online vintage books:

That’s my jam

Composed in 1950, Leroy Anderson’s The Typewriter turns the humble writing tool into the crowning jewel of the orchestra. Although a seemingly goofy endeavour, apparently only experienced drummers are able to pull off this very technical feat which requires high speed and agility.

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Response to “Typewriters”

  1. Marjorie Lapointe-Aubert

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