 |
| 'On the contrary, the computer doesn't cause me any problem at all' Postcard sent by Heleen (the Netherlands) |
From time to time, even here, I read people complaining that they don't receive but bills in the mailbox. They miss analogical things, like postcards and letters. Do you miss typewriters... sometimes?
 |
| Postcard sent by Laura (the UK) |
 |
| Lettera 32 portable Marcello Nizzoll Olivetti, 1963 Postcard sent by Bryon (the USA) |
 |
| Postcard sent by Heleen (the Netherlands) |
(The regular readers of this blog had already seen these postcards, except the first one... But I like to see all the typewriters together!)
Makes me nostalgic. They were still in use when I started my first job...
ReplyDeleteI learned as a child, and I used typewriters until university. And I am not that old!
DeleteTypewriters are charming. And I bought a second hand old one (still have to add an apt ribbon).
ReplyDeleteAnd working with typewritten text is nice.
But on the other hand digital word documents are handy, too.
In 4-5 years of my 6 secondary school years I was in the working group who issued the school magazine. And of course I loved to do the lay out and to draw the letters for the headings (by hand!). And I typed texts, but when making more than a small mistake, one which couldn't be solved by typex or a small piece of paper to stick over them, I had to re-type write the whole page!.. Nowadays that would be a 'mindful' occupation but in those, pre-computer days I wished there would be a faster, easier way :-)
We consider they are not practical just because we have computers right now. But, some years ago, thy were superpractical (comparing to writing by hand). It is a question of perspective... Are you planning to use your new-old typewriter? To write letters, maybe? ;)
DeleteI have my grandpa's- never used it but plan to someday
ReplyDeleteI have two, mine (bought for learning), and my father's. I plan to use them often when I go back to Spain.
DeleteI have two typewriters. One was my father's old manual and would probably work if it had new ribbon. The other is the first typewriter I ever purchased, an electric. It doesn't work, but I can't bring myself to part with it.
ReplyDeleteTrudy @ Reel Focus
Food in Film: Turkey
Can't you repair it? I wrote I have tow, but actually I have an electric too, which hasn't been used for years. Maybe I try, but I prefer the mechanical anyway.
DeleteI haven't checked the cost of repairing it. If it's not horrendous, I might do that. (I wonder if typewriter repair is also a thing of the past.)
DeleteI guess it is :)
DeleteI do miss typewriters. Have a couple typewriter fonts, but it's not the same. The key strike creates that little depression....texture, happens to be my T.
ReplyDeleteTexture
I adore letterpress for that very reason.
I agree: the final product is quite different when you use a typewriter. Don't you have any?
DeleteWhen I switched from desktop to laptop, I put my mother's old Remington typewriter from the 1940s on the computer desk. I don't use it, but it's a beautiful addition to the decor,
ReplyDeleteAren't you tempted to use it?
Delete(Remington is quite a mythical name for writers...)
I only ever had one typewriter and wasn't very good at using it. My wife was an expert though.
ReplyDeleteComputers are easier, aren't they?
DeleteI loved using my mom's typewriter when I was little. We had a computer too, but it was a lot less fun...
ReplyDeleteThe Multicolored Diary: WTF - Weird Things in Folktales
I wonder if children would find typewriters fun nowadays... I did, except when I took lessons. The teacher was so severe!
DeleteTypewriters make me happy! Several years ago I was helping my grandma clean her house and she wanted me to throw an old (broken) typewriter of hers away. I don't collect junk, but this was one piece I couldn't stand the thought of getting rid of. I'm glad we kept that old typewriter. :)
ReplyDeleteVisiting from the A to Z Challenge. See My “T” post here: https://lydiahowe.com/2017/04/24/t-is-for-tenacity-atozchallenge/
You can't call it "junk"... :)
DeleteMaybe you can still get it repaired.
Other than Typewriters I could think of one more thing that became defunct...the Telegram..both had an old world charm that was so endearing!
ReplyDeleteShubhangi @ The Little Princess
I think telegrams are "more defunct" that typewriters. At least, some people is still using typewriters, for writing an artistic purposes. But not telegrams any more (they travel though the Internet!). I have received one or two letters in vintage telegrams paper.
DeleteI used an electric typewriter my first year in college that I borrowed from a friend. it was strictly to type essays since it was borrowed and seemed like a step backwards. At home we had a family computer already by then that I had been typing essays on. The letters I received from my grandmother at the time were handwritten. The ones from my mother typed. On the occasion that I write a letter these days, I do not type it. I think using handwriting adds a personal touch that we are losing these days.
ReplyDeleteI almost never receive a typed letter (I mean, a personal letter). However, I think that nowadays a letter written with a typewriter would be almost as cool (and crafty) as a handwritten one...
DeleteI love these typewriter pictures. I am considering if I should buy one from an antique store, as that seems to be the place to find them these days.
ReplyDeletePhillip | T is for Teeth
I thought you to have a typewriter already, FinnBadger, as I think typewritten texts matching your mail art (and poems). But indeed I didn't see it yet on your envelopes :-)
DeleteI happened to find mine in a second-hand / recycling store (which might be less expensive than antique stores, although my 1930 typewriter was more expensive than all stuff we use to find there). I don't know if there are stores like that in your place?
And I've seen them on 'marktplaats.nl', a Dutch ebay-like website. So I think at ebay you might find them as well!?
Phillip, I thought you were trying not to buy more stuff for mail art purposes... :P
DeleteThat's true, thanks for the reminder.
Delete:DDDD
DeleteAdore the postcard sent by Laura.
ReplyDeleteMy son,17, wants to buy an old (working) typewriter (it's on his graduation wish list). I think he's an old soul.
T is for Tavaa Toast
I hope he will use it. It's a good training for using keyboards, at least. Most people just use two fingers to type... what a waste of time (and fingers)!
DeleteI like typewriters but not the sounds they make when you're typing. the second postcard with the birds are so cute.
ReplyDeletehave a lovely day.
~ my T post - Television Quiz~
That's funny, because most people adore the sound of the keys. There are even computer programs to fake the sound when you write on a computer. They say they help you to concentrate in the writing.
DeleteI can't say I miss them, since a word processor is so handy. But I loved them. I still own one which used to belonge to my granfather. A big black things that I really adore. It sits in a special place in my appartment.
ReplyDeleteBeen ages since I last wrote on it.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - 1940s Film Noir
DeleteIt's true, when we speak of practical tools. But nostalgia is also important... Aren't you tempted to use the typewriter again?
We got a typewriter for my mother in law - the seller even delivered it to her and showed her how it works, via craigslist. She was complaining that she wanted to have one to write again, and that was over a year ago. We have not received a single typed letter from her! We also got a typewriter here that we were going to mail her, but the cost of shipping it was prohibitive. So we sold it on craigslist locally to a woman whose young daughter was really interested in old typewriters! Maui Jungalow
ReplyDeleteYou must remind her that you are waiting for her letters... :D
DeleteLove the Typewriters! I used to play on my mom's typewriter when I was little. I wish she hadn't given it away, I'd love to have it now...
ReplyDeleteA-to-Z-er Jetgirl visiting via Forty, c'est Fantastique
Play? Typewriters are for work! ;)
DeleteI don't think I miss typewriters in general, but I have fond memories of my Grandma using her typewriter and teaching me how to use it. :) I was fascinated by the ribbon showing each letter's indentation.
ReplyDeleteHere's my "T" post :) http://nataliewestgate.com/2017/04/trapped-secret-diary-of-a-serial-killer
So many things to love around typewriters!
DeleteI miss the sound that typewriters make. I liked to keep one in my kindergarten class - it was one of the most popular choices for the children during free choice time. I bought a vintage typewriter at a swap meet and keep it out on display.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool (and a learning tool, too). I guess most children don't know how it works.
DeleteOh, I absolutely adore the quote from Heleen in the first postcard. That's wonderful. Computers giving me problems? Why no, thank you.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean that any computer tried to kill you last month?
Delete