Weaponized typographical war machines

As I sit here in my comfy, yet squeaky office chair, lazy golden retriever at my feet, I’m tapping away at a MacBook Pro. It’s elegant, yet plastic. It’s what works for me. But I’m sooooo tempted to find an app that replicates the sounds of a manual typewriter—you know, the chickty-chik of old-school keys striking a sheaf of bond, and the satisfying ding of a carriage return. There’s just something comforting about the analog nature of a real typewriter (that and the sounds would alert my lovely wife that I’m actually working and not simply surfing the web).

I’ve even been tempted to cruise my local thrift stores in search of a manual, doorstop of an IBM—just so I can “Get my writer on, old-school.”

These crazy thoughts cross my mind because Harlan Ellison still writes on a manual typewriter. (In the documentary, Dreams with Sharp Teeth, a cackling Robin Williams refers to Harlan’s cache of hard-to-come-by Olympias as an ammunition dump).

Or maybe I should just savor these amazing sculptures by Jeremy Mayer, who creates them entirely out of salvaged typewriters.

Typewriters? Could you—would you?

Comments

[Colleen]

Jamie,

I have a brand new Olivetti manual typewriter that I'd be happy to send you! We had purchased it for Bill's dad and he never used it. It is now sitting in my garage awaiting someone to tap, tap at its keys.

[Laurence MacNaughton]

I have, I do, just not as much as I'd like, since typewriters and deadlines don't mix. (Try explaining to your friendly Depot Max clerk what a typewriter ribbon even IS.) I've lugged around a 1939 Remington from when I was writing my first book (typing on scrap paper from a book warehouse, no less). It still works great, as do most the other typewriters I've accumulated over the years. They're like classic cars: impractical, but still a blast. My advice: don't get a Blickensderfer.

[Sara H]

I did notice some old typewriters at that antiques store on (I think) the 400 block of Central when I was in there about 2 weeks ago. That place seems rather reasonably priced too.

[Judy Guffey]

I have an old Royal manual...that I took to college in 1952. Was able to find ribbons for it. Have used it once. Too spoiled by a computer keyboard now to spend much time using it. I will not get rid of it...too many memories go along with it.

[Eric Stallsworth]

I completely understand how you feel Jamie. I've always liked typing on a typewriter, though I don't have one these days. Part of me says yes, I'd use one for writing from time to time if I had one. The practical - and not so fun - side of me however, says there's no way I'm going out looking for one. You should take Colleen up on her offer though, since she has one available and is willing to part with it.

[Eric]

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/12077/typewriter-keyboard

taptaptaptaptaptap-PING

[Jamie]

Got it. No Blickensderfer. Colleen, I might hit you up for that Olivetti next time I'm in town!

Didn't James Caan drop an old typewriter on Kathy Bates' head in Misery? Or am I thinking of something else?

[Timm]

If you want to go halfway, try getting yourself a fully mechanical keyboard a la the old IBM AT keyboards. You can get a more up to date version from Razor (http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/razer-blackwidow-ultimate-mechanical-keyboard-offers-backlit-pr/)

[Timm]

And apparently Mac purists have a meccy of their own too.
(http://matias.ca/tactilepro/index.php)

[Jamie]

I need an IBM Selectric/iPad hybrid of some kind...