From 2012: A typewriter renaissance

"Sunday Morning" correspondent Bill Geist introduces us to some typewriter enthusiasts who have found a new passion for a writing machine of the past. Originally broadcast February 5, 2012.
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[@danielpenkoff688]

At 60, I'm glad to see that typewriters are still around and loved. Thanks for the story. Peace.

[@kasejayden9388]

InstaBlaster.

[@alicekoehn9199]

Sometimes I see something (a story or report) on the computer that I can't copy, so I type it up using one of my several typewriters. I used to be a secretary, and am now in my 90s, still typing something every day.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Hey that is awesome! I think this is a fantastic way to stay active while also using a typewriter in a creative way. Especially if still can do it. Some work their garden, others do yoga... and We... are typing on our lovely mechanical writing companions :)

[@SchreibmaschinenBen]

Same tho I love all of my 23 Typewriters ❤❤❤❤❤

[@thetalkingbookchannel]

What was once was is old is new again.

[@cherylreitz4779]

so true what goes around eventually comes back around

[@SNESdrunk]

"Bill is as surprised as the rest of us that he's still in business" Hey how dare you! I love typewriters! Bill is awesome

[@OConnelsSideOfDaRiver]

I was watching some of your vids the other day bro, good to see that there's a another SNES enthusiast who also likes typewriters!

[@M-hc9xm]

A few years ago, I sold a deceased relative's Olivetti portable with the case. It turned into a bidding war between two writers. I can understand the hands-on, go anywhere feel.

[@bettysmith4641]

I took a typing class in highschool, which was 1976. I loved it!

[@525Lines]

The typing teacher of my high school announced that computers were coming and we better learn how to type. This is in 1978.

[@turntableone4356]

525Lines we were using typewriters in 1988 in high school.

[@525Lines]

@@turntableone4356 That's unfortunate. Even when I was in high school, there had to be a typing tutor program for the Apple II. I could have learned typing at home.

[@carrievaught9972]

I had typing class my freshman year (1966) and the keys were all blank. They called it touch typing. I still spell out words by the position on the keyboard.

[@charmedprince]

NOSTALGIC. I remember visiting my mom at work when I was a kid, and she's always typing on a typewriter. And that DING! sound is just so........damn, memories man

[@ZeacorZeppelin]

This video got me back into typing on a typewriter

[@jolyettefrye6365]

I ❤ the old fashion typewriter. I remember taking typing classes in school. 📖 When I got my speed up 2 45wpm, I thought that was AWESOME. 😄

[@SteveAdmin]

Seeing people older than me asking what's a typewriter makes me feel like an elder since I've always wanted a typewriter for a long time.

[@jpsned]

"I think there's something romantic about writing a letter to somebody." DUH :)

[@blue387]

Can we have more old Bill Geist videos? Thanks.

[@sarahnichols4439]

He always had a knack for finding the slightly unusual stories

[@ebersonvagner8825]

As much as I see videos like that, more I become a writer enthusiast... A big vintage's fan !!! Definitely, the typewriting sounds is the best !!!

[@fmcevoy1]

Still have the Olympia my parents bought me for Christmas in 1971.

[@vincentaurelius2390]

The Royal 10 in that one shop looked brand new! I would have grabbed it up in a second.

[@525Lines]

Manual typewriters are a pain but those IBM selectrics. Nothing unimportant can be typed on them. The oil smell, the whirring noise, the sweet ozone crackle. Besides, I think some offices still keep one Selectric around for forms and envelopes.

[@TypewriterCollector]

Very cool - thanks for sharing!

[@anne8511]

I love how the young-uns are typing only with their forefinger! They might not be as excited if they had to learn proper typing with all their digits!

[@robertnussberger2028]

I type my typewriter with my middle and finger between middle and pinkie.

[@michaelwertzy9808]

"Texting" along with grammarly have turned people into insufficient clone-like morons. Cursive hand-writing isn't even taught anymore. Very sad goings

[@robertnussberger2028]

@@michaelwertzy9808 It's soo sad how technology was released to help us put out more of our talented writing techniques. But it took a different turn than expected, now we just abuse it, resulting in lazy literature of today. Now we are needing for it to work for us instead us working with it.

[@johannapfelburg6286]

@@robertnussberger2028 same could be said about the efficiency of modern day printing press, or even typewriters themselves as compared to normal writing, or normal ballpoint pens to fountain pens, etc etc. It's simply as is with new technology. There will be minor drawbacks, but when the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, it is sure to catch on.

[@sola1814]

Some schools have typing technique classes which are required, including mine. Maybe the staggered heights of the keys throw people off. I’d think if they did type with one finger their middle finger would be easier and faster to use haha.

[@manuel0578]

there are many ways to correct typing mistakes. there are white fluids, there are white transfer papers that you place on the incorrect letter and than hit that letter again so it turns white. there are even typewriters that have this white paper built-in and those have a backspace key like on a computer keyboard.

[@mackfarlainethebarenakedau5113]

I want typewriters to make a comeback. I'm a typewriter guy. When I'm not writing by hand, a typewriter is my preferred method.

[@abhishekghenannavar3719]

Old is Gold ☺️🪙🪙

[@n_communicates8030]

I want a typewriter store from where I am!

[@pamdavis6458]

I learned how to type on one of those things!!!

[@ladytinter-AlleyKat]

I love the kid who thinks he would write a love letter! Romance still lives!

[@IsabelMartinez-fp9oq]

I second the motion 💝

[@mrdonsmith]

I'm a network news freelance cameraman and I shot a few of Bill's stories years ago, such as the Muleshoe, TX TV station, The Mackinaw Bridge that manly men were afraid to cross, flying around Oklahoma to places to eat, and the like. Little did Bill know that, earlier in life, I was trained by IBM to repair Selectric typewriters! I went to class at the factory in Lexington, KY to learn. While there, I was put in at.a boarding house where a fellow boarder, who worked at the local newspaper, asked me to join their softball team to play a movie production company in town shooting a movie. The next thing I know, I'm at bat and the pitcher is George C. Scott! Patten! He was shooting a movie in a small town nearby called 'The Flim Flam Man'. He must have been the guy who organized the game because he had the pitching form of a world champion softball play. He threw underhanded and that ball came by so fast I never saw it. He struck me out so easy. OK. so I ramble.

[@TheLordOfNothing]

I still write on my typewriter

[@listwithlejarie1173]

Great

[@bobgreen1272]

At 12 I took a summer class and typed 40/words per minute, at 18 I typed 80/words per minute, and at 72 I miss a real typewriter or an old Marchant adding machine that sounded like a threshing machine!! Keep on "clicking"!!

[@boomerhgt]

Wonderful video subbed and liked

[@stemikger]

I earn my living as a Typist/Word Processor for the past 27 years. Today at 57 I'm a millionaire, paid off my home and sent my daughter through college without a student loan (all the way through her Masters Degree) and over a million in my 401k. Typing has been very good to me. I love it as a career and a hobby and closing in on retirement, I will be typing until I'm no longer here. Who would think!

[@jimmyneutron129]

Who cares show off

[@mackfarlainethebarenakedau5113]

I should take my typewriter to see this guy.

[@carolmeyer4186]

WOW never heard of a typewriter!! I think we need to go back to the BASICS and teach typing so they how to do it right. Not pecking. Once you learn correctly you never forget. Basics are important in this WORLD. I think we over look them because we are in such a RUSH. Thanks for listening. Great VIDEO 😊❤

[@clarkbilgrav]

I would love a review of the fountain pen comeback!

[@Roy-mk9zl]

It never went out of fashion sir. I still use a fountain pen. Many in America, Germany and India still do.

[@Roy-mk9zl]

In fact fountain pens with modern technology like better permanent ink are much more practical than typewriters.

[@clarkbilgrav]

@@Roy-mk9zl Like you I’ve been using fountain pens almost exclusively since I was an eight year old Catholic school girl. However I have seen a number of videos and articles indicating the use of fountain pens is growing more recently. I would love to see them back in the mainstream.

[@Roy-mk9zl]

@@clarkbilgrav ♥️

[@BeachPeach2010]

I have an awesome typewriter but finding Ribbons for it is the problem!

[@christophermckellar1352]

BeachPeach2010 Ribbons Unlimited. 800 250 7426 ribbonsunlimited.com.

[@roachtoasties]

I have an old Royal typewriter that's been in my garage forever. I now feel guilty that I killed it. The unheated and non air conditioned garage has rusted it away beyond repair. :( I remember typing classes in high school, and then all the typing I did in college for countless papers. I had to make sure things were perfect, often re-typing entire pages. For college students now, the professor just says "e-mail the report to me when you're done." :/

[@Sharko-nv5gd]

What kind of royal, and rusted beyond repair. Use some pb blaster and a wore brush and go to town!

[@vladimirenlow4388]

I appreciate the typewriter aesthetic but still prefer word processors for easy editing. I've hit upon a compromise: downloading multiple typewriter-style computer fonts. I usually use one of those for creative writing projects... like the one I should be working on now instead of watching KZbin videos!

[@EvanFrenchMusic93]

No way! 😯

[@bharathvajvr3782]

Hi Hallo sir I live in INDIA Typing here requires a lot of machine to start school Can you arrange it?

[@SpiralBreeze]

I had an antique type writer when I was 7 but my parents gave it away!!! I still haven’t forgiven them and it’s been nearly 30 years.

[@robertnussberger2028]

You should get another one. I got one. I also seen some under 20 dollars on ebay. Check some out. Some are better than others.

[@SpiralBreeze]

Robert Nussberger I have been but I have arthritis in my hands so I’ve been reluctant to take the plunge.

[@robertnussberger2028]

@@SpiralBreeze I understand. They got nice looking electric typewriters on ebay for you to get instead. I know the non-mechanical function feel of the electric keyboard will not put much stress on your hands. It is just like a regular computer keyboard.

[@robertnussberger2028]

If that doesn't work either, then sorry.

[@mikedavidz6161]

Tambles

[@josephbarrerareyes]

En mis tiempos tener una de esas era como tener un Lamborghini hoy día.

[@TINGSTARR]

500th like. I have a SC Silent and a 1926 Royal 10. Collection is growing. Looking for a nice Hermès 3000.

[@bobgreen1272]

Learning is called, "asdf-jkl" not querky!!

[@Fahimkhanwtc5980]

Old typewriter মেশিন আমার পছন্দের

[@NickG123]

Why are all these comments so recent?

[@NickG123]

Oh, never mind... it’s from 2020

[@Tejvir7]

Because people commented, recently.

[@Tejvir7]

Tough concept I know

[@josefholzer2433]

A 27 year old buys one? I can see kids buying them. I wonder if they will be manufacturer them again?

[@louann479]

Corona. All this Corona stuff makes me wonder what's going on with the sun.

[@weeeeelp]

4:00 a fine sample of emo/scene style. it's a shame that went away

[@turntableone4356]

Now, can they write in cursive?

[@Sharko-nv5gd]

turntableone yes

[@robertnussberger2028]

They got typewriters with type faces that can write in cursive.

[@Jeffrey314159]

Are mechanical typewriters a protection of privacy from electronic eavesdropping?

[@Anastas1786]

There _are_ means of spying on mechanical typewriters; the CIA and KGB made sure of that, of course. All the methods I'm aware of that don't involve sifting through your garbage for still-legible ink ribbons and un-burned rough drafts, though, require a spy to show up _in-person_ to access and inspect the machine itself. If you feel secure in your own home or office and aren't important enough for someone to bother bribing, threatening, or convincing your typewriter repairman, I imagine mechanical typewriters are your safest option besides handwriting. I recall hearing something a few years ago about Germany considering switching back to mechanical typewriters for super-sensitive messages, but I'm not sure if the switch was ever actually made... nor do I expect they'd actually say anything in public if it was.

[@brainsareus]

Cada Loco con su tema.

[@josephbarrerareyes]

Porque?

[@brainsareus]

@@josephbarrerareyes es un chiste, nada mas... no critico con malicia.

[@josephbarrerareyes]

@@brainsareus yo sé. No te preocupes. Saludos cordiales.

[@robertnussberger2028]

Really? Unfortunately, I seem to be the only person in my city who uses a typewriter. Oh well.

[@ellenleitner1876]

Why not go back to paper and ink? That's how all the great writers in history roast with.

[@robinj.9329]

Pretty sorry state of affairs when a 16 or 18 year old doesn't even know what A TYPEWRITER IS !!!!!??????? O M G !

[@johntate5050]

They can't spell, their grammar is abysmal, their general knowledge is woeful.

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@johntate5050 The average Gen Z knows 6 X as much as you did at their age. Get over your self.

[@johntate5050]

@@piccalillipit9211 The correct spelling is 'yourself' not 'your self.' It's one word, not two. Oh the irony! 🤣

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@johntate5050 No dude - its emphasis "get over _your_ self" is that better...???

[@johntate5050]

@@piccalillipit9211 No, it's still incorrect. Three question marks is childish grammar too. You're not managing to support your claim.

[@AntonioCostaRealEstate]

No thanks. Too many sheets of paper on the trash bin.