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More than you ever wanted to know about mid-1900s copying, plus the oldest typewritten letter. Full-size typewriters, and some compact versions, have a three position ribbon selector: Black, Stencil, and Red. In the stencil setting, the ribbon is not used. Older people (like me), or people who had early jobs using mid-1900s low volume printing… Continue reading Typewriters, Stencils, and Carbon Copies

Olympia Regina Deluxe Manual Typewriter It’s not often I try something and think “I never knew it could be like this.” It’s even less often I can share that discovery, but this typewriter gave me that feeling and I’m here to share it. Olympia, a German company, was late to the typewriter game. The German… Continue reading Tim’s Museum of Obsolete Tech 5

SCM Secretarial 250 Office Electric Of the various typewriters I own, my Smith-Corona has the brand history that most typically illustrates the rise and fall of American manufacturing. Once upon a time in the 1880s, four Smith brothers left the gun manufacturing business and established the Smith-Premier Typewriting Company. In those days, typewriters were often… Continue reading Tim’s Museum of Obsolete Tech 4

Several years ago, I joined the Romance Writers of America. I felt membership would help me learn the craft and the business of writing, and that being a member would give me credibility as a writer, and especially as a romance writer. Genre romance is often described as “by women, for women,” but men are… Continue reading A Subdued Milestone

Speedwriter Manual Portable Typewriter Ignoring any possible historical significance or practical considerations, I obtained this typewriter because it looks like the model my first dad owned – the typewriter of my childhood, not that I ever used it then. But there is some historical significance to this machine. Speedwriter was one of many brand names… Continue reading Tim’s Museum of Obsolete Tech – 3

Underwood Manual Office Typewriter Moves and unstable employment, some years ago, left me with few toys, but I started to make up for that once I had a nice apartment and steady work. When I saw an old typewriter being given away, I seized the opportunity to acquire a photo prop for promoting my new… Continue reading Tim’s Museum of Obsolete Tech – 2

In which Tim Remembers his Typewriters from the 1980s A couple of years after graduating from high school, I took a night school class to learn how to use a typewriter. I had vague ambitions of wanting to write and/or going to university, and reasoned that learning to type would help. More practically, it was… Continue reading Tim’s Museum of Obsolete Technology – Part 1 – Introduction

There’s a notion that floats around social media in various forms, suggesting English teachers use symbolism to create meaning where none existed. Had social media been around when I was in high school, I would have clicked “like” on this post. In elementary school, whatever the teacher said was correct. “This story uses colour as… Continue reading Symbolism

The latest round of COVID-19 re-opening guidelines in this province does not allow for indoor dining yet. It’s a small inconvenience, but I miss eating, and reading and writing, in mall food courts. My first hourly paid job was working at a restaurant in a mall food court, and I’ve found them comfortable places ever… Continue reading Missing the Food Court