Typewriters
I picked up a typewriter this week. I think the idea of writing on one has long been in my subconscious but lately it had floated to the front of my brain. These machines began to call out to me. I knew I needed to get my hands on one and just try it out.
First, there were all those writer bio-documentaries I watched in which Ellison, Salinger and Thompson sat poised at their typewriters. It worked for them, so maybe it would work for me.
Then there was The Spirited Man video A Computer Supplement, in which Van gives several reasons for using a typewriter. He discusses it's practicality but also it's more esoteric uses. When using a typewriter, you can sit down, free from all the distractions a computer has, and just start typing. You don't have to plug it in, turn it on, or click 'Save' when you get up and leave. The typewriter allows you to write without easily editing and deleting and, as Van says, this captures your voice. This was the video which made me realize: 'hey wait - I can use a typewriter'.
One quiet Sunday morning, I watched the documentary California Typewriter which features the story of a Berklee, typewriter shop. Tom Hanks, John Mayer, David McCullough, Sam Shepard and others, describe the ways they use and enjoy their typewriters. The film also gave the history of the machine, dating back to 1869 when Christopher L. Sholes created the first commercially successful design and the QWERTY keyboard. This documentary was an interesting insight into the cultural significance of the typewriter and a look into it's possible future in our technologically advanced society.
Last weekend, I finally got to try one out. I tested my Grandpa's IBM Model II electric typewriter which was sitting in the basement unused for years. I plugged it in and to my surprise, it functioned well. The key action seemed similar to that of a computer and would allow for fast typing. Given all the moving parts and things that could go wrong with an electric typewriter, I knew I wanted to start with a manual.
This past Monday, I went out for a walk on my lunch break. I passed a local vintage shop and noticed a black Royal in the window. I went in and took a look at it. The price was more than I was I willing to pay so I asked the salesperson if she had any more. She led me towards the back of the store where a grey Royal with green keys sat inside a tweed case. It spoke to me as soon as I saw it. The salesperson placed it on a desk and I tested it out, pressing each key, checking the carriage movement and inspecting it's condition - I learned all I know about how typewriters function from watching Youtube videos. The machine functioned well and was in good condition aside from a few scratches and dust. I'm not an expert or a collector, so maybe I overpaid for it, but I am now the proud owner of a 1957 Royal Companion.
What do I hope to use this machine for? What do I hope to accomplish with it? These are some questions I thought about once I became interested in typewriters.
I think the typewriter will be a creative tool. Perhaps it will let me get ideas down in a different way. I've been typing short essays each day and I can already see how it may change the style or rhythm of my writing. I'm not so much concerned with perfect typing or formatting right now - I can do this on the computer. The typewriter will force me to work on my spelling and grammar. Even typing this paragraph, I have made several edits to spellings and sentence structure that I couldn't have made if I were typewriting. When I write on the computer, I typically print and proofread what I've written. I love that on a typewriter I can instantly look at the words on the page and make notes in the margins or other edits. I also like the sound it makes, my fingers hitting the keys and slamming my words onto the page. It reminds me of playing a musical instrument.
So - here's to my 'new' typewriter. I hope it will be a faithful companion on my writing journey.
KW
Links:
Dreams with Sharp Teeth
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
Salinger
Spirited Man video 'A Computer Supplement'
California Typewriter documentary
Typewriter Revolution & Typewriter Manifesto
Typewriter history
Writers with typewriters