The Manual Typewriter has its Perks
Last weekend, our little family made a trip to The Supershed in Christchurch. The Supershed is basically a very large warehouse of second hand items for very cheap prices. In the shed, I found a lovely cropping table for my craft room for a very, very cheap price. I’m stoked!
The kids also found a lovely manual typewriter for $3. In the world of computers and high-tech gadgets, these old things that the young people call ‘vintage’ have not lost their practical use and entertainment value.
The little old typewriter kept both girls occupied typing away, role playing as the spy and investigator leaving ‘confidential’ messages to us and all.
See, you don’t have to buy expensive toys and hi-tech gadgets to keep them entertained?
Why don’t you check out eBay for some vintage stuff that your kids can busy themselves with? You can check it out at: Vintage.
You may find an ‘old’ camera for the right price and it’s snap, snap, snap for the kids and some peace and quiet for you!
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POSTED IN: General Play Library Goodies
3 opinions for The Manual Typewriter has its Perks
Nelson Perkins
Jan 29, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Of course, typewriters are no longer the workhorse of modern offices. Computers will always outsell them. Yet every office has one for typing forms. Third world countries in places without reliable electrical power still need them. Only Olivetti in Italy makes manual typewriters.
As a teacher down in turbulent Baltimore City schools, I didn’t risk my laptop in the class room. I used an old Monarch portable for lesson plans. It still works although I’m on my third computer.
As a substitute teacher, I found it easier to type memos to regular teachers on my small portable. The computer required an access code, and its printer was usually in another room.
A manual portable is as convenient as a laptop to use in Starbucks, is nearly as small, but needs no power. Copy can be transferred to a computer later. Until then all work is secure from hackers.
Besides that, some thousands of us still love them for one reason or another. Some in high- stress, high-tech jobs type on manual portables during lunch. Some writers use them to type first drafts. Some type letters instead of email.
I own fourteen typewriters myself. But Will Davis and Richard Plot have vintage collections viewable online with links to other collectors.
Please do not buy one in order to harvest its keys for jewelry. Let some collector buy it for restoration.
gorgle
May 5, 2008 at 6:50 pm
“Please do not buy one in order to harvest its keys for jewelry. Let some collector buy it for restoration.”
That sounds so gruesome lol
nina
Jun 12, 2008 at 4:22 am
hi, i too am laughing at the jewelry comment. i need a manual typewriter, what would you recommend? i have small hands so i don’t really need a huge typing area or anything of that sort. something portable would be great but more than that it has to be manual and reliable (i.e. not skip keys, etc.) i read some reviews on the ones target sells and it skips a lot. i need it for the biggest exam i will probably ever take in my life and then that is it. so stressed! :-) thank you.
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