Posted on 12/20/2011 6:00:06 AM PST by JoeProBono
NEW YORK, - New York typewriter sellers said the low-tech machines are experiencing a comeback among writers who like to avoid distractions.
Paul Schweitzer, 73, whose Gramercy Typewriter Co. was founded by his father Abraham in 1932, said he started working on laser printers when typewriters fell out of fashion in the 1990s, but he has lately had many customers bringing in old typewriters to be restored, the New York Daily News reported Monday.
"They have their computers, they have their blackberries or iPads or whatever it is, but they still would like to have a typewriter. They like the idea of pressing the keys and having the words hit the paper," Schweitzer said.
Donna Brady of Brady & Kowalksi Writing Machines said she and her partner have had a lot of interest in the typewriters they sell at Brooklyn Flea.
"The more disconnected we get from other humans because of electronic devices ... the more we kind of want to get away from those gadgets," she said. "A lot of people still want to be productive, but would like to get away from the screen."
Worth having in the event of a power outage or EMP-
But, if there’s an EMP attack, who are you gonna write to and who’s gonna deliver it?
(and....don’t eat the horses—you’ll need them for transportation in the obamanation...)
Oh you are so right!
I just thought you should get a ping to this for all the obvious reasons.
I was contracting at Smith Corona when it croaked.
Seems stockholders couldn’t deal with the notion of reduced value, so AFAIK nobody tried the obvious: continue making typewriters, just with downscaled operations focused on what remaining market existed (and as we see it still exists). Instead they tried to compete with full blown computers by loading up their LCD-laden typewriters with databases, spreadsheets, games, and other things which in no way could compete.
People are yearning for solid, mechanical things, real things with weight and substance and visible ingenuity.
All the gee-whiz electronic effects and games, and the devices that produce them have ceased to be all that interesting. They’re just appliances now.
The fun stuff shows craftsmanship, clever clockwork, moving parts, metal and wood. I’ve seen limited edition computers done up like very early televisions, wooden iPad enclosures, even a giant carved wooden earphone as an artistic solution to speakers for an iPhone.
Steampunk is an outgrowth of this yearning.
During World War II Underwood produced M1 Carbines for the War Department.
bookmark
Was it Dan Rather, by any chance?
That and carbon paper. :)
There’s a great opportunity for the company that makes those. Introduce a subtle steampunk sensibility, battlebots, clockwork, maybe a set with a small solar panel. It would sell very well right now.
Rockola Jukebox Company also produced a few pf those ‘carbines’.
Rockola Jukebox Company also produced a few of those ‘carbines’.
*sigh*
Back when great things were made in The USA..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.