Typewriter spool size variables: - ribbon width (almost always 1/2" or 13mm) - spindle size<br /> - ribbon reversing mechanism (gromets, mechanical, tension, etc.) - spool/proprietary cartridge (electrics) - outer diameter - core diameter - center hole diameter - drive hole diameter - drive hole radius (distance from cernter to center of drive pin) - number of drive holes
Variations by: - brand<br /> - model - year of production - world location
https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/18vupsa/database_of_spool_sizes/
The Typewriters of Naked Lunch by [[Theodore Munk]]
reply to u/IndividualCoast9039 at https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1endi5d/screenwriter_here/
There's really no such thing as a screenplay specific machine, though for ease of use, you'll surely want one with a tabulator (tabs). If you want to hew toward the standard screenplay formatting look for pica machines (10 characters per inch) rather than elite machines (11-12 characters per inch).
SoCal is lousy with lots of great machines. If you want something that's going to work "out of the box" you'll pay a few bones more, but unless you're a tinkerer, it's definitely worth it.
I'd recommend checking out the following shops/repair joints near LA that specialize in machines for writers. Most will let you try out the touch and feel of a few in person to figure out what will work best for you. Putting your hands on actual machines will help you know which one you'll want for yourself.
I'd generally endorse most of the advice on models you'll find in these sources which are geared specifically toward writers, all three sources have lots experience and reasonable bona fides to make such recommendations.
All machines are slightly different, so pick the one that speaks to you and your methods of working.
If it helps to know what typewriters actual (screen) writers have used in the past, check out https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/typers.html
Beyond this Just My Typewriter has a few short videos that'll give you a crash course on Typewriter 101: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJtHauPh529XYHI5QNj5w9PUdi89pOXsS
Scadden, David T. Approved Home Study Course in Typewriter Repair and Service. Little Falls, NJ: Typewriter Repair School, 1959. https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/homestudycourse.pdf.
Who is Byron L. Wolfe, Author of OAMI Noiseless Typewriter Mechanical Training Manual? by [[Theodore Munk]]
Great, simple list here of all the adjustments for typewriter repair.
Common Typewriter Problems and Fixes
A short pictorial primer for quick repairs of many common typewriter problems including:<br /> - stripping a typewriter<br /> - cleaning and oiling - carriage not moving<br /> - ribbon reverse not working<br /> - bell not working - characters out of alignment<br /> - inconsistent margin<br /> - space bar jumping/inconsistent
This manual suggest using a knitting needle with a bent tip to assist as both a spring hook for pulling springs as well as for pulling drawbands back through typewriter carriages.
Restoring a 1926 Typewriter Case by knife141 on Instructables
The typewriter is a Corona made in 1926. I came across it in a yard sale and, having no real use for an old typewriter, I bought it anyway!
AMES OAMI Mechanical Training Manual for Standard and Portable Typewriters<br /> By: Clarence Leroy Jones<br /> In 3 Volumes plus Addendum - Published 1945<br /> Volume Three: Noiseless Typewriters<br /> By: Byron L. Wolfe, Illustrations by: R. J. Tiller & Jack Lewis<br /> https://typewriterdatabase.com/1945-AMES-OAMI-MechanicalTrainingMan.v3-noiseless.manual
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LettersWithImpact
Someone selling individual typed index cards with quotes for $9.99 each?!? Who knew this was a business?
example:<br />
How I Scan Microfilm by [[Dan Allosso]]
Meet Bob Marshall<br /> Voyage LA Magazine
Typewriter Video Series Episode 31: Culling the Herd by [[Joe Van Cleave]]
Rating typewriters by:<br /> - looks<br /> - feel<br /> - print quality
Alternate systems for helping to thin out typewriter collections:
Designer William Morris' weighing system:
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
I once had a collector friend who loved standard typewriters, so his weighing system was as follows:<br /> - If it weighs over 25 pounds, keep it<br /> - If it weighs less than 25 pounds, sell it off
And naturally, minimalist Marie Kondo's system:<br /> - Does it spark joy?
Joe Van Cleave also had another video for creating a minimal collection based on categories of typewriter which may also be useful for some: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ej6kd1FsnE
“Man is a Tool-using Animal (Handthierendes Thier). Weakin himself, and of small stature, he stands on a basis, at mostfor the flattest-soled, of some half square-foot, insecurelyenough; has to straddle out his legs, lest the very windsupplant him. Feeblest of bipeds! Three quintals are acrushing load for him; the Steer of the meadow tosses himaloft, like a waste rag. Nevertheless he can use Tools, candevise Tools: with these the granite mountain melts intolight dust before him; he kneads glowing iron, as if it weresoft paste; seas are his smooth highway, winds and fire hisunwearying steeds. Nowhere do you find him without Tools;without Tools he is nothing, with Tools he is all.”
often shortened to:
Man is a Tool-using Animal... Nowhere do you find him without Tools; without Tools he is nothing, with Tools he is all.”
Link to:<br /> - Thoreau https://hypothes.is/a/vooPrPkwEe2r_4MIb6tlFw - Culkin https://hypothes.is/a/6Znx6MiMEeu3ljcVBsKNOw
Carlyle, Thomas. Sartor Resartus. Edited by Kerry McSweeney and Peter Sabor. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Aliens in the plot "hide between saccades".
We can equate this to the way politicians actively treat their constituents when they play the hypocratic game of "do as I say not as I do".
https://willowcreektypewriters.com/products/still-collecting-more-sticker
SCM could stand for Smith-Corona Marchant, but some typewriter collectors think it stands for Still Collecting More.
https://willowcreektypewriters.com/pages/about<br /> Willowcreek Typewriters
https://www.ebay.com/itm/305339966662
To save time is to lengthen life.<br /> —Remington Typewriter Company letterhead logo circa 1904
Howard L. Wilson, creator of the Memindex system starting 1903 and in wide use through the 1950s, would be proud that a modern variation of his system is still living in analog form. While it doesn't provide the bench depth of options of materials and sizes, the system is compact, modern, and just as simple as the original. The handcrafted archive boxes now bring the system up to par with its predecessor with grace and an elegant minimalistic esthetic.
Perhaps in a few years we might see something akin to Yawman & Erbe or Shaw-Walker's 16 drawer filing cabinets for long term storage of multiple years?
Ugmonk released a limited edition of 100 archive boxes for their Analog productivity cards today at 7AM (Pacific) for $229.00 (including 12 card packs and a metal divider). It sold out within two and a half hours.
With the inclusion of this archive box it makes the system much more like the original Memindex system.
https://ugmonk.com/products/analog-archive-box-walnut?variant=43942761562262
Typewriter Club LIVE by [[Type Pals]]
QWERTYFEST MKE 2024 by [[Richard Polt]]
Cothran, Ann, and George E. Mason. “The Typewriter: Time-Tested Tool for Teaching Reading and Writing.” The Elementary School Journal 78, no. 3 (1978): 171–73. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1001415
No new results here, but a modest overview and literature review of research on typewriters in classrooms.
In this experimentagain the pupils who could type werefound to have made more gains in lan-guage usage and spelling than the nontyp-ers.
M. W. Tate's 1934 typewriter studies showed student gains in language usage and spelling. Now that computers have automatic spell-checkers and students less frequently use dictionaries or study spelling in particular, does spelling ability in modern classrooms keep pace with numbers from earlier in the century when more emphasis was put on that portion of writing pedagogy?
One must wonder if the early use of typewriters to teach reading and writing research matches that of modern day use of computers and tablets in the same classrooms?
One large study by Ben D. Woodand Frank N. Freeman in 1932 paved theway for acceptance in elementary schools.The study included 14,947 children ofelementary-school age in an experimenton the effect of the typewriter on class-room performance (3). The children whohad typing instruction actually spent onlyan hour or two a week at the typewriter,yet at the end of the first year they out-performed the nontyping pupils in read-ing.
In articles published in theearly 1890's William A. Mowry and FrankPalmer both advocated the use of typing inthe secondary-school curriculum
Ukrainian has І, Ї, Є, Ґ, Russian has Ы, Ё, Ъ, Э instead.
Distinguishing Ukranian vs. Russian typewriter keyboards
via u/lexkiri at https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1eloo76/russian_american/
https://www.rrtypewritermart.co.in/product/29409649/Twister--Nut-Opener<br /> Typewriter tool: twister - nut opener<br /> Long bar with t handle to loosen nuts
Type bar bender<br /> https://www.rrtypewritermart.co.in/product/29583290/Type-Bar-Bender
A tool with degree measurements for bending typebars for placement into a basket. Could be used for bending bars for swapping QWERTY to QWERTZ.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/404818669654
Mini Typewriter Blow Torch Soldering Tool Alcohol Torch
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186572686851<br /> Vintage Remington Touch Oiler Tool 5 1/2" Long Metal Tool
Typewriter Tool Kit from the DOLLAR TREE by [[Just My Typewriter]]
Overview of cheap tools for typewriters available at Dollar Tree and similar dollar stores.
I've thought about Silly Putty for cleaning type before, but Sarah recommends using it as well.
These Three Books Help Put the US Election in Perspective by [[Matt Hooper]]
Putin has adopted what Snyder calls the “politics of eternity,” a fear-based mindset that envisions a future of perpetual threats.
Eric Liu, “democracy works only if enough people believe it works.”
Barbara F. Walter points out that such speech is also a means of factionalization.She argues that factionalization—the proliferation of exclusionist political groups defined by racial, ethnic, and/or religious identity—is one of the most reliable precursors to civil conflict.
nostalgia and history are not interchangeable.
Agatha Christie's Dictaphone, typewriter, typescript copy of her final Poirot novel Curtain, and her exercise book containing draft notes on the plot of the novel. Agatha Christie's Dictaphone, typewriter, typescript copy of her final Poirot novel Curtain, and her exercise book containing draft notes on the plot of the novel. Item 1 of 6
Crawford Tool SH5 Spring Hook 5 Piece Set<br /> https://crawfordtool.com/collections/spring-hooks/products/crawford-tool-sh5-spring-hook-5-piece-set
Lube-All Oiler LA124 Triple Pack, 1 oz, 2 oz and 4 oz Bottles with Flexible Spout and In Cap Shut-off Valve<br /> https://crawfordtool.com/products/lube-all-oiler-la124-triple-pack-1-oz-2-oz-and-4-oz-bottles-with-flexible-spout-and-in-cap-shut-off-valve?variant=42824191901937
Bottles that could be useful for dispensing either oil or lacquer thinner/mineral spirits.
"Modern Family" Career Day (TV Episode 2013)
Jay Pritchett (Ed O'Neill) begins working on a novel using a typewriter.
Green Olympia SM series. Likely an SM2 because it didn't have the SM3 tabulator stops on the back and didn't appear to have tab keys on the keyboard.
https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/14szjp/decided_to_share_one_of_mine/
Description and tools for swapping out typewriter slugs by soldering.
https://thesiswhisperer.com/podcasts/<br /> On The Reg (OTR) is a podcast about Work, with an academic slant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZndDTG0ckQ<br /> Harold Bloom Lectures on Shakespeare's Major Tragedies
https://www.theeagleeyeprojekt.com/
Very pro-use and sharing of typewriter tools. May do a kickstarter-like project to make tools and sell them.
Cormac McCarthy's Typewriter Brings $254,500 at Auction by [[Randy Kennedy]] on 2009-12-04
Glenn Horowitz, a rare-book dealer who handled the auction for Mr. McCarthy, told The New York Times earlier this week: “When I grasped that some of the most complex, almost otherworldly fiction of the postwar era was composed on such a simple, functional, frail-looking machine, it conferred a sort of talismanic quality to Cormac’s typewriter. It’s as if Mount Rushmore was carved with a Swiss Army knife.”
Russian-born American author Vladimir Nabokov (1899 - 1977) dictates from notecards while his wife Vera (nee Slonim, 1902 - 1991 types on a manual typewriter, Ithaca, New York, 1958. Carl Mydans / Getty Images
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Typewriter / Typeface: The Legacy of the Writing Machine in Type Design by [[María Ramos]] on July 12, 2016
In America, the National Office Machine Dealer Association periodically published the Blue Book, a catalog with type samples and other information about the industry.
National Office Machine Dealer Association
A.M. Cassandre and Imre Reiner designed two typefaces that included four different widths for the Olivetti Graphika. And W.A. Dwiggins worked on the design of proportional type for Remington Rand.
Beta app for note taking/productivity.
A Lie Can Travel Halfway Around the World While the Truth Is Putting On Its Shoes by [[Quote Investigator]]
Venkataraman, Bina. “How Latino Influencers Are Fighting Misinformation in South Florida.” The Washington Post, May 30, 2024, sec. Opinion. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/05/30/misinformation-spanish-latinos-south-florida/.
the latest trend in investment to fight online rumors, which is far too focused on technological fixes for what is fundamentally a human problem.
Often, because misinformation is spread using technological means, we focus on using technology to dampen the spread of rumors. The root of the problem is really a human one, however, so it may help significantly to focus efforts on that locus.
Link to Swift quote about lies and truth: https://hypothes.is/a/Ys0x_m65Ee6GOPtD0OROJw
The South Florida influencers, for instance, heard a rumor circulating that the government had put microchips in the coronavirus vaccine so it could track people.
Notice that many fake news stories begin from a place of fear. This fear hijacks our brains and triggers fight or flight options in our system I circuitry and actively prevent the use of the rational parts of system II which would quickly reveal problems in the information.
The formula: Empathize with a concern instead of shaming people or telling them they are wrong. And acknowledge — rather than ignore — the kernels of truth that make false claims seem convincing.
A formula for fighting misinformation: empathize, don't shame, acknowledge kernels of truth
Presumably this came out of the Information Futures Lab, but it would be nice to have the source and related research.
Information Futures Lab at Brown University
a criminal gang from Venezuela infiltrating the United States. Known as Tren de Aragua, the criminal organization has become a recurring bogeyman in anti-immigrant conspiracy theories circulating in Spanish-speaking diaspora communities over the past year.
Willy Wonka's Golden Typewriter - Rare Olympia SM3 & SM4 Typewriters by [[Lazy Dog Typewriters]]
Empire Sky-Riter Typewriter Review by Smith Corona: The End of Empire by [[Lazy Dog Typewriters]]
Around 1960 Smith-Corona bought out British Typewriters Ltd. (aka Empire) in West Bromwich, England and used the plant to make a version of the Smith-Corona Skyriter which they sold under the Empire name.
The majority of typewriter typefaces came in one of a few sizes either pica (10 characters per inch) or elite (11 or 12 CPI). Usually you can tell by the number of characters on rule at the back of the paper table. A scale that goes up to 85 is usually indicative of Pica machine (85*10 CPI = 8.5", which is the standard paper width in the US) and a scale that goes into the the 90s up to 102 indicates elite. There were definitely other sizes for custom typing, but they're rarer. You might see things like 6 CPI which was used for children or people with vision problems and machines that go up to 18 CPI. I've heard rumors of 20 CPI, but never seen one.
New Punch List: Olympia SG1 by [[maryech]]
Big Blue Gets Renewed by [[Joe Van Cleave]]
I like the aftermarket upgrades you've made.
The Cheers reference reminds me that I've been trying to pair drinks with machines as I write. I had a blue cocktail on a cruise to Alaska last year that used glacier ice (which is blue), but since that's not easy to source in ABQ, maybe try an "Electric Iced Tea" which is a variation on the Long Island iced tea but which swaps blue curaçao for the triple sec and a clear lemon-lime based soda for the cola.
p155 image of Harrison's Arca Studiorum
Membrum JL
arca studiorum appears on p 124
De Variis Fxc£rptorum Generibus.
p90
The chart on this page appears to be that of John Locke's indexing system from 1685 and is here being re-published in 1689.
GESNERUS*
https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_IgMVAAAAQAAJ/page/n105/mode/2up
Gessner in Placcius
Serbian uses the latin alphabet (most of the time on typewriters) and letters unique to it are "žčćšđ" while Czech adds "" but upsidedown on other letters. Finally Polish can be identified by the 'Ł ł"
Distinguishing some European keyboards on typewriters.
via u/Cevkica at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1eih25t/finally_got_a_letera_32/lg70tm0/
Smith-Corona Series 5 and 6 typewriters had a small piece of rubber around a portion of the escapement which can wear out or become damaged. This in turn causes the escapement to not work properly and cause the dogs to get jammed resulting in large movements of the carriage while typing or spacing.
Joe Van Cleave calls it the "return silencer" and replaced his by tracing out the damaged piece on a sheet of 1/32" rubber and cutting it out as a replacement.
Duane at Phoenix typewriter describes replacing it with rubber tubing (possibly something like heat shrink?) instead. See: https://hypothes.is/a/tG4BWk77Ee-jczsjoM8SzA
I love that Joe is helping out with a local school's analog typewriter club.
Typewriter Escapement Repair by [[Joe Van Cleave]]
he two groups making most use of librarieswere “students and housewives” (women users outnumbered men by twoto one), but neither group was well served; and among employed men,6 percent of whites borrowed books, but only 0.1 percent of Black min-ers.18 These were dreadful numbers.
reading as a leading indicator of cultural shift to help provide power to women and non-whites.
Was the Great Books idea being pressed towards "men" a means of pushing back against this in some sense?
Meet the Dublin man meticulously restoring vintage typewriters | IMAGE.ie by [[Lizzie Gore-Grimes]]
“I’m also branching out to develop a typewriting service,” continues Leo. “I am currently typing the best man speech for someone. He’s getting it framed to use as a gift for the groom. I’ve also begun hiring typewriters out for weddings, to be used for guests to type notes for the bride and groom on the day.” What a genius idea.
another example of people using typewriters for wedding mementos
“There’s about 2,000 moving parts in a typewriter, but they’re really quite simple from a mechanical point of view.”
Reasonable estimate it would seem. I haven't seen any others before.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi<br /> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086190/quotes/
Return of the Jedi is all about feelings. Having them, showing them, hiding them. Bad people use them against you. Good people have them for other good people.
You should "search your feelings" (Luke Skywalker).
Cross reference this with Ryder Carroll's method of tracking your feelings (moods) using the "=".<br /> https://hypothes.is/a/l12OgFD7Ee-LjAevth_Piw
Moods: Indicated by the equals sign (=), are for logging feelings. These can be emotional or physical feelings like joy, pressure in the chest, butterflies, anxiety, fatigue, excitement, etc.
Ryder Carroll suggests using the symbol "=" as a way of logging your feelings or moods within your bullet journal.
https://bulletjournal.com/blogs/bulletjournalist/how-to-improve-focus-using-a-bullet-journal
How different is Bob Doto's A System for Writing from Antinet Zettelkasten?
Doto's book is far more focused, well-written, and actually edited. Scheper's less well written and in need of heavy editing. Save yourself the extra 400 pages and spend that time practicing the craft instead.
If you were starting from scratch without any knowledge of the area, I would highly recommend Doto's work, possibly mention Ahrens in passing, and not suffer anyone to mention Scheper's book. If you're an academic, I would recommend Umberto Eco or perhaps if a historian, one of the many books on historical method like Barzun, Gottschalk, or Goutor.
As background, both Scheper and Doto sent me pre-publication drafts of their work-in-progress to read. I've also read the majority of other books, papers, articles, and works in the space over the past 150+ years including nearly 100% of the references footnoted the two texts referenced. See also: https://boffosocko.com/research/zettelkasten-commonplace-books-and-note-taking-collection/
As for having a professional do the job, ask jewellers. If they do repairs on-site, they're likely used to doing precision welding and braising.
https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/8t6ym5/dvorak_typewriters/
Converting A Typewriter To Colemak by [[Jan Söndermann]]
Smith Corona Typewriter Repaired Flying Carriage ! Fixed Escapement Pawl by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]
Pawl was frozen on escapement. He also took out a piece of the rubber which he planned to replace with some surgical tubing to add a small layer of spacing.
This repair is similar to part of that at Smith Corona Typewriter Power Spacer Escapement Repair Adjustment No Silencer Model
Smith Corona Typewriter Power Spacer Escapement Repair Adjustment No Silencer Model by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]
SCM typewriter escapement and margin lock/release by [[Nis Kildegaard]]
Trump Media Quietly Enters Deal With a Republican Donor Who Could Benefit From a Second Trump Administration by [[Justin Elliott]], [[Robert Faturechi]] and [[Alex Mierjeski]]
His shares of the company, a meme stock that has soared despite the company generating almost no revenue, are valued at more than $3 billion.
When stocks can become called "meme stocks" they cease to have actual value.
My fiance got a white Adler Tippa recently, but is unsure of the exact model or year. We looked up the serial number but nothing has come up even on the database. The Tippa plate just says Tippa, not Adler Tippa, so it can't be too old. Any ideas? Serial number: 10148440
reply to u/DinoPup87 at https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1efzeor/adler_tippa_id/
It's a common misconception that the database lists all serial numbers.
You'll need to identify the make (and preferably the model) to search the database. Then you'll want to look at the serial numbers which your serial number appears between to be able to identify the year (or month if the data is granular enough) your machine was made. Reading the notes at the header of each page will give you details for how best to read and interpret the charts for each manufacturer. Notes and footnotes will provide you with additional details when available.
You can then compare your machine against others which individuals have photographed and uploaded to the database. Feel free to add your typewriter as an example by making an account of your own. Doing this is sure to help researches and other enthusiasts in the future. Don't forget photos of your manual, tools which came with your machine, your case, and original dated purchase receipts if you have them.
needs a new ink ribbon
Chances are that you've got your original metal spools, and if so, definitely keep them. You can make a quick measurement, but I'm guessing you're going to want 1/2" or 13mm wide universal ribbon.
You can buy this in many places and in various color combinations (if you have a bichrome machine—look for a black/white/red switch which can usually be found on the front of your machine) for just a few dollars for 16 yards or about 14 meters to fill up a 2 inch diameter spool. Often it will come on cheap universal plastic spools which you can use to wind onto your own original metal spools if necessary.
Some machines often make use of proprietary mechanisms or geometry on their spools to effectuate the auto-reverse mechanism of the machine (though you'd have to check on your particular unit). Many machines after the 40s used small grommets on the ribbon itself to trigger the auto-reverse mechanism. If yours doesn't, you can trim these off with scissors as you spool the ribbon onto your machine if you're worried they'll get in the way.
Some smaller ultra-portables can and often do use smaller diameter spools which only fit 12 yards of ribbon, but you can always cut your ribbon down from bigger spools if necessary.
A few good sources of ribbon can be found at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-faq.html#q1.
If you don't have the original spools and the cheap plastic universal ones don't work on yours, you can find replacements via https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/ or by calling around to repair shops which may have extras https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html
Incidentally, having your typewriter make and model as well as serial number can be helpful. You can often identify the model via https://typewriterdatabase.com/ if it's not on your typewriter directly. I'm guessing from the 2Y5852 that you've got a Good Companion No. 2 circa 1942, but you can track that down by looking at the database and individual galleries with photos.
If you don't have one already, you might find a manual for your machine (or one very similar to it) at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html
reply to u/Fancy_Temporary_5902 at https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1eg176q/im_trying_to_id_a_typewriter_of_my_dads_as_it/
Referenced by Tim
Smith Corona Typewriter Ribbon Vibrator Bind, Lift Sticking Up, Forming/Adjusting Process by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]
I started a typewriter repair business in my garage, and I got my first customer!
u/Affectionate-Dog8414 has started a small repair shop in their garage. Denver, CO
They Live (1988)<br /> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096256/
https://archive.org/details/Artyping/mode/2up
Artyping by Julius Nelson , The Gregg Publishing Co., 1939
https://abqtypers.substack.com/p/convertible-typewriter-desk
Listed for $400, but would go as low as $350.
Does anyone here use a purpose made typewriter desk? How do you like it? Alternatively, has anyone tried one and found it wasn't for them?
I've used the small typewriter tables with drop sides and wheels before. I appreciate their small size and ability to move around. I'm actively looking for a new one at the moment. (I sold the original 20 years ago when downsizing during a move between apartments and prior to restarting my collection.)
I currently use a dual pedestal desk and and usually have my typewriters on the pull out writing drawers. This drops the typewriter an inch and makes one's typing position (27" off the floor) much more comfortable than having the typewriter higher up 29-31" for most modern desks and tables.
I have tested a pedestal desk with a spring-loaded typewriter platform that moves up and out of the desk after opening a door. This was an excellent experience, and if I find another, I will surely purchase it. The tough part is that they take up a lot of space as the internal desk space is given entirely to hiding the typewriter when not in use. They're definitely great if you have a heavy 30+ pound standard typewriter that's not so mobile.
The third type are wooden desks with two desk height levels. One for traditional desk work and a second lower one as the typewriter platform. The lower height is obviously much more ergonomic for typing for long periods. On most of these desks, the inset typewriter space is most often given completely over for the typewriter to be there permanently. If your plan is to only have a typewriter, then jump, but their use is more difficult if you're sharing that space with a computer and need to move the two back and forth regularly. Additionally, the wooden desks have either permanent cut outs or can be flipped over to hide the cutout and make the entire desk space flush when the typewriter isn't in use. You'll have to use your own gut to decide which of these two might be best for you. I recently saw a reasonable version of a convertible wooden desk at https://abqtypers.substack.com/p/convertible-typewriter-desk
I find these pop up pretty regularly in the $200-500 range. Often owners don't want them because they don't use typewriters, and they don't move easily, so they're likely to come down in price pretty quickly/easily.
Olivetti Lettera 31 (Another name for the Dora -- or is it the opposite?) olivetti Dora (the actual base model if I'm not mistaken, with a bunch of rebrands worldwide) ETON (naturally this belongs on this list, I've even seen 2 others for sale online since) Underwood 315 (rebrand) Montgomery Ward Escort 33 (rebrand) Olivetti Underwood 310 (pretty sure this is a rebrand too, or at least very closely related) Olivetti Index (this is the closest thing I've found to my ETON branded one. It s PRACTICALLY the same in every regard - seen two online for sale) Montgomery ward escort 44 (also a rebrand of the DORA?!) Mercedes Super T (rebrand as well, seen one for sale) Montomery Ward Escort 77 (pretty close to being the same model again again... But not quite?) Neckermann BRILLANT Special T (DEFINITELY a rebrand. The manual is a dead give-away among other things) JUPITER (A typewriter 100% identical to the IDEX or ETON, but rebranded again again) Underwood 314 (no idea on this one. I gave up at this point)
https://typewriterdatabase.com/19xx-olivetti-eton.23086.typewriter
Opinion - America Has Questions for Kamala Harris and Donald Trump by The New York Times Editorial Board
Presidential campaigns increasingly are conducted as performances before a sympathetic audience, one that is invited to watch and listen but not to question or respond.
broadly true, especially for Donald J. Trump
Americans deserve a campaign that tests the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates; that highlights their differences and allows scrutiny of their plans; that motivates people to vote by giving them a clear account of how their choice in this election will affect their lives.
Definitely this, but the majority of the right doesn't care about plans, choices, or strengths and weaknesses. They've bought into a cult of personality that washes out the ability to make informed decisions.
Lucy Calkins Retreats on Phonics in Fight Over Reading Curriculum by Dana Goldstein
Not much talk of potentially splitting out methods for neurodivergent learners here. Teaching reading strategies may net out dramatically differently between neurotypical children and those with issues like dyslexia. Perceptual and processing issues may make some methods dramatically harder for some learners over others, and we still don't seem to have any respect for that.
This example is an interesting one of the sort of generational die out of old ideas and adoption of new ones as seen in Kuhn's scientific revolutions.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashman_(novel)
any relationship to George MacDonald??
George MacDonald (10 December 1824 – 18 September 1905) was a Scottish author, poet and Christian Congregational minister. He became a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow-writer Lewis Carroll. In addition to his fairy tales, MacDonald wrote several works of Christian theology, including several collections of sermons.
A ‘Science of Reading’ Revolt Takes on the Education Establishment by [[Sarah Mervosh]]
Yurcaba, Jo. “Alabama Library Flagged a Children’s Book Because the Author’s Last Name Is ‘Gay.’” NBC News, October 10, 2023. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/alabama-library-flagged-childrens-book-authors-last-name-gay-rcna119747.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_effect
The Matthew effect of accumulated advantage, sometimes called the Matthew principle, is the tendency of individuals to accrue social or economic success in proportion to their initial level of popularity, friends, and wealth. It is sometimes summarized by the adage or platitude "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer". The term was coined by sociologists Robert K. Merton and Harriet Zuckerman in 1968 and takes its name from the Parable of the Talents in the biblical Gospel of Matthew.
related somehow to the [[Lindy effect]]?
Typewriter Type Bar Alignment, Sticking Keys, Smith Corona Speed Booster Rebound Wire Adjusted by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]
Triumph! by [[Joe Van Cleave]]
Typewriter Video Series - Episode 160: Servicing the Triumph Norma 6 by [[Joe Van Cleave]]
Joe Van Cleave shows how to raise/lower individual type slugs by bending the typebars, particularly the ones out toward the end, without using custom typewriter repair tools.
Triumph Norm 6 Revisited by [[Joe Van Cleave]]
New deceptions: How illiberalism is hijacking the university by [[Jo-Anne Dillabough]] and [[Andrea Peto]] on 04 May 2024
Remember, a writer writes, always.
—Larry, Throw Momma from the Train, 1987
The 7Keys Retro Typewriter Keyboard by [[Just My Typewriter]]
Sarah thought it was fairly solid for a mid level price. Replaceable blue keys, so a nice mechanical keyboard experience. Better than some of the cheap white label drop ship keyboards in the space.
how to SOUNDPROOF a typewriter by [[Just My Typewriter]]
She uses piano felt to restore the original felt rests of a Smith-Corona Skyriter. Technically not soundproofing, but restoration. We get the point.
Mr. Sinister- Remington All New Typewriter- Custom Painted and Typing Like a Dream by [[The HotRod Typewriter Co.]]
Daily links from Cory Doctorow by [[Cory Doctorow]] 2024-02-19
I've felt guilty in the past that often we don't directly discuss the book and what it says, but since we've each individually had our own "conversations with the author", our sessions then become a method of taking those extant (hidden discussions) and bringing them to a group to have not only discussions with each other, but extend those discussions with other books we've read and connecting them with reading, watching, listening we've done with other sources. In some sense, we're creating connections (conversations) with all the other things rather than necessarily discussing the exact thing at hand. This is a different form of work than the work of the initial discussion we individually have with the author (in this case Adrian Johns) and this is something many book groups don't go past.
I don't feel so guilty about it anymore...
https://danallosso.substack.com/p/science-of-reading-meeting-1<br /> Science of Reading, Meeting 1
Choosing the Right Typewriter by [[Joe Van Cleave]]
Remember that typewriter-typing (typewritering?) is different from keyboarding on a computer, even if the key layouts are similar between the two.
typewritering as a retcon neologism with respect to keyboarding
https://johnlewismechanicalantiques.com/cleaning-and-restoration/
John Lewis lays out his restoration process here
https://johnlewismechanicalantiques.com/
John Lewis in Albuquerque, NM, a typewriter repair person since 1966.
https://johnlewismechanicalantiques.com/packing-instructions/
Solid advice for shipping typewriters here, which is frequently repeated. This advice is given by a specialist with expertise in typewriter repair and restoration.
Royal Quiet De Luxe Magic Margin Stuck Won't Slide Clean Flush Restore Operation of Typewriter by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]
50+ year old oil can cause parts of a typewriter to seize and not work properly. Hitting it with some heavy degreaser (lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, etc.) and some compressed air as well as getting the parts moving will help clean these parts out.
Excess oil on a typewriter can be cleaned up with both air and a clean rag.
Fun tip:
Spraying down a typewriter body and painted portions with oil before treating with lacquer thinner will help to prevent the etching of painted portions which might be splashed during the cleaning process.
It may help to spread the oil out with a cloth or by hand, particularly on the rulers.
Royal HH Typewriter Ribbon Spindle Shaft Frozen, Analysis and Repair Procedure by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]
Troubleshooting a frozen spindle. Discovered that the spindle was frozen internally. Flushed with lacquer thinner and then blown out.
worn-out 1950s Royal HH typewriter, lubricating mechanism and replace ribbon by Rinoa's Auspicious Travails
very meh... wouldn't recommend for over-reliance on sewing machine oil to get a typewriter "working" again. The ribbon swap part wasn't bad.
Royal HH & FP typewriter shipping help by [[Typewriter Justice]]
Advice for how to package a heavy standard typewriter for shipping. Two heavy rubberbands to hold the margin release buttons to protect the escapement. Then plastic wrap to keep the carriage from moving during shipment. Then protection for the knobs and carriage return levers put into a first box. Then packing peanuts in a second box, fill to completely full and tape closed.
Royal Empress by [[Joe Van Cleave]] and [[Kevin Kittle]]
Royal Standards were broadly the same internally from 1912 onward.
Royal FP Typewriter (1958) | Quick Look & Typing Sample by [[Type Pals]]
meh...
lots of uncomfortable laughter
Royal HHE Typewriter Demo of Features and Functions by [[Cincinnati Typewriter]]
Orange and black typewriter painted when they thought Bengals were going to Super Bowl.
Sadly didn't get the purpose of the numbered guides... presupposed they were in millimeters, but knew it wasn't that.
Very shaky video... nauseating.
Didn't differentiate between permanent and temporary variable line levels. Didn't get the way these work at all.
Missed subtleties of Magic Margin, but did well enough.
"strikers" instead of slugs or hammers
Painted the colors on the bichrome wrong.
Only partially understands touch control. Definitely doesn't know how to adjust them.
Definitely don't use this as an example.
Seems like an amateur painting and (maybe) cleaning up typewriters from home. I don't think I'd trust him based on this video.
1954 Royal HH, repainted | Typewriter Tutorial by [[Jot & Tittle Vintage Typewriters]]
Pseudo-professional explaining the functionality of a Royal HH (sales video)
took her two tries to get the proper ribbon reversal... <br /> didn't get/understand the touch control function<br /> Not original spools<br /> Doesn't understand card fingers<br /> At least knew "stencil", but didn't explain it beyond "it won't type"<br /> Didn't have a specific size for the large carriage<br /> Had issue with ribbon tension<br /> Couldn't get the hood button several times
"I wouldn't write a long book on here." What the hell is she talking about? This was the entire purpose of this machine.
1952 HH Royal #Typewriter Overview by [[T4Vista]] Wilson Trivino
Another sales video showing features of a typewriter when they have no idea what any of the parts are or how they're actually working... sigh...
How to use all functions on a 1952 Royal HHE vintage desktop typewriter by [[Brooksaw Antiques]]
"sales video" but it does go through a list of most functionality, though missing a few of the finer typing points. Obviously they're not typewriter aficionados.
Video could be better, particularly a traditional horizontal rather than vertical layout.
The Royal HH: my FAVORITE desk typewriter by [[Just My Typewriter]]
Good basic intro, and overview, but doesn't get into deep functionality review. Short list of some writers who used it from Richard Polt's site, though not complete.
A marble bust of Beatrice (who inspired the poet Dante), an 1857 photograph of Jerusalem, and a Smith-Corona electric typewriter surround Schrader`s desk, which overlooks the Hudson River.
That West German engineering mixed with decades of tar and nicotine has produced something truly unique.
quote via u/edward_slizzerhands
Stradavarius : violin : varnish :: West German Engineering : typewriter : cigarettes
As an owner of a smoke-filled Adler Universal, the cigarettes are the price paid for typing perfection.Yes, the typing is as comfortable and smooth as the amount of smoke fumes in it. God-like.
quote via u/A_newer_throwaway
Olivetti Dora, Lettera 31, Underwood 310, or in Sweden also branded ”NK Futura” for Nordiska Kompaniet, but it’s the exact same machine.
Sounds right, but double check https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1e8r1vi/olivetti_dora/
https://www.magicmargin.net/2011/07/typewriter-cover-pattern.html
Sewing pattern for a typewriter cover
