When I started on computers, most of my time was spent doing word processing or creating spreadsheets. With the coming of broadband however, the 24/7 availability of the web, email and instant messaging became a constant distraction to writing. I feel that going back to a typewriter, at least for preparing an initial draft, would help reduce these internet distractions. There’s also a pleasant satisfaction in watching a typewriter work to produce a written page as you tap on the keys. Typewriters remain not only highly functional but often showed the best of 20th century industrial design. Truth be told, however, I just like the older technologies as they seem to have more personality. Give me a fountain pen over a ballpoint any day!

Thanks for the enjoyable post.

I wouldn’t write first drafts on anything else.

@Dave: You hit the nail on the head.

@Junior: Your generation only consistently relives past trends because it is the first generation to be continually exposed to the trends of their parents’ generation through ultra pervasive methods like media.

However I submit to you some parallels. The choice to use outdated technology is actually something thrown upon kids through their education.

When creating a courseline, math teachers face a tough decision. Calculator or no calculator. Does it make sense to minimize use on tools that this children must depend on in the real world in hopes they master the basics?

When given a financial calculator, does anyone choose to use an abacus? I know the answer for me is easy, but i cant help but wonder if i have yet to meet the student that would prefer the abacus or slide ruler if you will. Is there a situation where we will always pick the older more satisfying technology?

My estimation? If its not work related and for hobby purposes, older is better.

then again, i just haven rambled on your site for a while and perhaps all this was.Yet as i ramble i cant help but wonder why i cant have typwriter like buttons built into a computer…

I think different methods of composition tap into different parts of your brain. So, you can compose something on a typewriter that would never manifest itself using a computer. The same goes for writing in longhand.

Seriously though, those are some beautiful machines and I sincerely hope you find what you’re looking for. Seeing the condition these examples are in, they way they look, the models, it wouldn’t be too mad to pay a couple bucks more.

Good luck.

@Raji: Loyal visitors are always rewarded. Disloyal visitors are severely punished! So welcome to the winning team. OR ELSE! On another note, if I had to use a typewriter for all my work, I’d… pretty much hate it. I think a big part of my romanticism, as Edrei puts it, is that I have the OPTION to punish myself, instead of being continually punished by The Man.

I’m going to go as far as to call you a sentimental romantic. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, I believe we all hold true to parts of the past because we still believe that there is some magic to it. It’s like why I still buy paperback books when I could easily and quite comfortably read the electronic versions.

I think at the end of it, seeing that you gave Asimov as an example, maybe the magic in words that he came up with was born simple because there is magic in that past. We take technology for granted so much that we forget the simplicity the past can hold. That’s the magic and from there, a world of wonder.