Tom Hanks, typewriter enthusiast

Typewriters are Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks' not-so-guilty pleasure. He has a personal collection of more than a hundred, in nearly every style, make and year. They intrigue him so much, Hanks even made typewriters the supporting characters in his very first book, a collection of short stories fittingly titled "Uncommon Type." He talked with Lee Cowan about his affection for typewriters, and how he found his writer's voice.
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[@colinmoore5991]

I made the mistake up picking up a 1928 Royal Portable typewriter. Now I own 14 typewriters.

[@nayak4636]

🤣🤣

[@aphexteknol]

Colin Moore That wasn’t a mistake Colin. It was fate knocking at your door. :)

[@colinmoore5991]

Knocking??? It busted the door off the hinges! 😂😂😂

[@Lifewithlisalove]

Colin Moore that’s how I got started.

[@rbruce63]

Can you tell us which makes and models of typewriters you have?

[@dhirajshetty483]

The unmistakable passion & energy of Tom …..

[@GothiicAngels]

I have only just discovered the beauty of typewriters. I find them so enthralling, from their movement to the sound. I have two now. I will keep an eye out for more

[@StarFire4337]

My mom taught me how to properly type when I was 7 years old and could read. She had a clunky old Royal that weighed a ton and if you typed real fast sometimes your fingertip wound up between the keys so you had to pause for a second to free it. I used that for years until I was in my late 20's and she got me a used electric typewriter, the kind with the ball inside. But we still kept the old clunker and I had it up until I moved into a much smaller house about 12 years ago. I still regret not keeping it. It was a big part of our lives for many years to type up everything form bills to notes and forms.

[@UnlicensedOkie]

I recently picked up a 1950s mechanical typewriter Payed $1 for it Works like new

[@nayak4636]

Wtf😲

[@fernandoalarcon525]

Damn that is lucky

[@PhotoLabMP]

Your post us old but who the f*** would sell a perfectly good working typewriter for a dollar?

[@1967buickriviera]

Michael Knight h

[@memecat4878]

Somethings never die. When things were made well

[@sansudar21]

"You work on something that works exactly the same as it did in 1938".. Wise words..

[@JugglerLou]

I remember my math teacher Mr. Parasaliti. He LOVED his typewriter. He said he gets his maintenance every 5 years. So it will last a long time. I wonder where he is now.

[@64slugirl]

Da man !

[@1967buickriviera]

He has an app called ”Hanx Writer”

[@karlhungus5554]

Jane is eternally beautiful.

[@maddsheep]

He most likely has the Lego typewriter

[@cajamison1]

Love my ‘64 Hermès 3000!

[@hhwe9785]

Please use your influence in speeding up the roll out of CAR T cell all cancer cure therapy, next for advanced breast cancer in the US and in Europe, to be introduced ASAP - saving millions of women' lives (including mine)! Thank you so very much!!!

[@TeutonTwin]

If he was my age he would also probably be collecting computer keyboards.

[@Cyriljayant]

So he knows how to type words on a paper in a typing machine. Good for him. It is better than shooting lost abandon children's Shoes on road. INSPIRING HUMAN BEING I HEARD SOMEONE SAY THAT.

[@kiranreddy1258]

With typewriter enthusiasts inspiration I have added realistic typewriter simulator to my typing learning software. search for Kiran's Typing Tutor in Microsoft store

[@meedily]

Tom Hanks. Lolita Express passenger.

[@Perririri]

"Can you say 'Typewriter' ?"

[@sarahjones4993]

It's so disturbing to think many of us enjoyed his many movies over the years. Loved Big makes me wonder now, boy dates a woman but in Hanx adult body, all symbolic

[@Scangirl2149]

Paul Schweitzer the owner Is my Uncle. Yes this is my family. My Grandfathers business and was handed down to my uncle.

[@tacey01]

I grew up in the typewriter business. My father got a Royal dealership in 1946. Kept it going until his death in 2009. I grew up in the sales and repair of typewriters, adding machines, copiers, etc etc. Definitely a fragmented niche business that has families at the heart of them. Wonderful memories.

[@charliedrosario999]

I find most of this nauseating too watch, it is akin too witnessing a man being barbarically tortured.

[@Dedalus0]

Does he have dead eyes at 5:58? I think he may have dead eyes at 5:58

[@brodyszone157]

These comments didn't age well. Is Tom hanks a chomo make the time to look into it and then u tel me

[@karmafairy351]

Tom Hanks is the ultimate dad you wish you had

[@1805movie]

Hey, that rhymed!

[@LokimonWasHere]

Hinting at the Corona Virus pandemic in 2020, another puppet for the elite

[@sarahjones4993]

😨

[@Dire_wolfe]

NO TOM HANKS JUST GOT SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR TRAFFICKING ADRENOCHROME, SO I DEFINITELY DO NOT WISH ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIM THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[@arnabchakraborty2593]

@@Dire_wolfe oooo..... A real investigator here.... So mr. Holmes, can you define adrenochrome to this fellow doctor?

[@1805movie]

If he ever starts a typewriter company, I would definitely buy one from him.

[@katiehudson201]

Same!

[@amberneider7453]

also same

[@josephwalk1747]

@@heavensent607 that doesnt mean i wouldnt buy a typewriter off the guy.

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

@@heavensent607 How do you know? Did he do something naughty to your no no hole?

[@roywoods6767]

Joseph Walk bro just ignore him Tom isn’t a pedophile he’s just wants attention he basically put this on every nice comment

[@discoveringcatia]

Typing on a typewriter is the greatest feeling in the world. My father brought a very old typewriter home for me when I was 19 and I cleaned that baby up and have been using it since. It's honestly my most prized possession.

[@SpiralBreeze]

My parents threw out my typewriter 25 years ago when I was 6. To this day I can't forgive them. I still can't afford to buy the one I want.

[@Lilacs03]

What is wrong with your parents???

[@johnyoung4747]

Patience (and going to a lot of yard and estate sales and thrift stores) will get you what you want. I have a perfectly working 1940s Underwood, a 1930s Royal and an IBM Selectric II and they cost me $5 each. They all needed cleaning, but you can learn that online.

[@serge933]

They are cheap at thrift stores, I got my Royal HH 1950s for $10 in somewhat dusty but working condition. That was 15 years ago, still works today.

[@Melvorgazh]

Oh! That is sad. Hope you can fin one on eBay maybe. I just got an Olympia Splendid 33 Thursday 10th June. It's from the 60s.

[@44492611]

Same thing happened to me about 18 years ago. Had to use a computer they said. Just found that same type of machine last week to add to my collection.

[@apace003]

I worked in the factory that made that Smith-Corona typewriter. Smith Corona typewriters were made in Cortland, NY. My plant put out 23,000 of them a day back in 1973. There were three plants in total.

[@plantbythemoon2939]

That is actually quite a production feat. Must be nice to be part of history... nice way of saying you're old ;)

[@rbruce63]

Hi, where can I source parts for dad´s Smith Corona Corsair? The carriage stucks half way through the letter, the ribbon vibrator is broken and its missing the right hand knob!

[@jamiewood265]

Just purchased a Sterling from 1961 according to the serial number. Wonder if it came from your factory. Cheers

[@LastGenGaming675]

how long did it take to assemble one machine? I have been learning to work on them and some of the stuff is really nit-picky and seems like it would take forever on an assembly line.

[@ericacorey9857]

@@plantbythemoon2939 Don't worry. You'll get there ;)

[@branon6565]

I remember my Grandmother comin to dinner back in the 80's, lookin at my Mom's brand new Word Processor, and saying it was the cheapest lookin typewriter she'd ever seen, and no matter what my Mom paid for it, she paid too much.... #DontFixWhatIsntBroken

[@hexus9198]

Felt the same way about the word processor my grandma got and was proud of. She paid a lot for it, i think. Kinda felt guilty for thinking of it as cheap, but i couldn’t really get over how it flexed and all of the plastic squeaked.

[@lizrutherford2656]

I've loved Tom Hanks ever since I saw him in Big.

[@melquizedec]

pretty much like half of the planet!

[@jamiesmith143]

Tom Hanks, a guy that I would like to sit down and have a beer and talk about ANYTHING with!!!

[@LokimonWasHere]

I use to like Tom Hanks too, until I found out he is a Devil worshiper puppet for the Illuminati.

[@Kylemathews1]

@@LokimonWasHere Agreed Loki

[@profjohn9629]

@@LokimonWasHere Please seek professional help for your delusions.

[@LokimonWasHere]

@@profjohn9629 all of Hollywood is filled with occultist pedophiles, wake up and smell the adrenachrome.

[@RCmaniac1231]

@@LokimonWasHere you’re one of those Qanon nut jobs I see

[@margiemunoz9079]

And he owns a Corona typewriter that he traveled with while being quarantined with supposedly while having corona virus? 🤔🤔🤔

[@acefaces]

Margie munoz He gave it to an Australian kid named Corona who was being bullied because of his name. True story.

[@arielklay23]

It's a comfort to know it took Hanks years to write his book.

[@tradingarsenal9767]

Yeah, can't be very bright if it takes that long!

[@williamhayes2960]

Or he could've been diligent and careful in writing his prose, thinking of revisions and coming up with ideas. Creativity is not a timed contest. The fact that it took him years (which is also due to the typewriter, its one inconvenience being that it's slower than computers) is actually reassuring. Like something of high quality coming out of a workshop after so long being there, it is also likewise to literature. @@tradingarsenal9767

[@daviddrivez9978]

A very dear friend of mine gave me an old royal typewriter. My friend found it in an old cabin built by his grandpa. Unfortunately his family is tearing the place apart and throwing all kinds of amazing antiques out. Mercifully my friend saved the typewriter and many beautiful things along with it. I always wanted an old typewriter like this. and I don’t believe I have ever received a better present.

[@highlordstevious]

When I was in junior high, I was diagnosed with asthma and told I could no longer take wood shop because of all the sawdust. I was terrible at wood shop but loved it anyway. I was crushed. The only class open at the time was typing. "When am I ever going use typing?" I moaned. Then computers happened. I went on to even spend 20-plus years writing for a living. I don't know how I would have survived just hunting and pecking. I still have my grandma's 1940s era office typewriter that is built like a tank and weighs 40 pounds, plus the one my parents bought me when I was seven or eight and the one I took to college in 1984.

[@squirlmy]

why did your parents buy you one when you were 7?

[@highlordstevious]

@@squirlmy I used to write short stories and planned on writing the Great American Novel.

[@john-paulnagel2732]

Such a Nice Man My Mom use to Type Like a 100 Words or more a Minute Boy she was Amazing I miss my mom and Dad. Thank You 😊 Love ❤️ you Both.

[@TheStuport]

We had an old Wurlitzer Typewriter...then when my oldest sister became a teenager and asked for an electric Typewriter....I knew then it was only a matter of time till we indeed Landed On The Moon......Good Memories. Cheers Everyone

[@Mia7189]

Can't wait to read his book. I own two typewriters. Love them!

[@dylanwiningersieve5459]

Who’s here after he contracted the virus 🦠

[@fuhoney]

Dylan Wininger Sieve Have you noticed that his featured typewriter is a Smith -“CORONA”????? Supposedly HE contracted the CORONA Virus?? Issac Kappy publicly accused Tom Hanks(and Steven Spielberg) of being a pedophile and soon after Kappy was murdered.

[@yogighetto]

I bought a typewriter and love it now, when I was taking lessons in school as a teen I hated it so much at the time at home we had a manual one it sure was hard to type with we never realize the benefits it has now. ​

[@lohphat]

Hank should know better to NEVER yank paper from the platen without releasing the ratchet. Amateur move.

[@hexus9198]

Has that old timey news reporter sound to it though. “Hot off the presses”

[@ddog5858]

I remember my typing teacher saying "paper release!" every time someone did that.

[@melquizedec]

more like screen dramatic move

[@rcelestefelix9299]

I just got a 1948 Royal Quiet Deluxe typewriter with the glass keys and original carrying case in pristine condition that works like new for just $20 at Goodwill. I learned how to type on a manual in the 50's. Garrison Keillor wrote a charming coming of age book, "Lake Wobegon Summer 1956," about a 14 year old boy who changes his life when he is given an Underwood manual typewriter. Some pages have typewritten stories in old typewriter font typed by the boy. There is something enthralling about those old machines; especially if you love words like many of us do.

[@gedisdiop]

My first experience on a typewriter was a , and I'm probably wrong on the model, a Royal Collegiate. Made is the 50's. It made a very satisfying sound when typing, a melodious bell, and some really cool "rabbit ears" to hold the paper up. It went through college; first with my Father, then, with his Sister, both attending Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. It had a wonderful key action, literally with every key just bouncing off of your fingers. When IBM came out with the "Selectric", it was a challenge to master. The keys were VERY sensitive, but it was handy to change the font just by lifting a small tab on top of the ball, and making a swap.

[@rustyalcorta3643]

When I was 10 this neighbor boy who was 2 years older than me and my best friend bc he always looked out for me was moving away and asked to go help him pack. He typed real fast with all his fingers and he gave me his 1940s Riyal Quiet De Luxe he called his Ernest Hemingway and gave me The Old Man and The Sea and a finger chart for me to learn to type with all my fingers. I did. He came back 2 yrs later abd we contibued our friendship and had a lot of adventures. I still have that old Royal and I still type on it 56 yrs later about all our crazy adventures.

[@rumouredsimmer]

'He wrote his book on a computer not a typewriter, he's not an idiot.' Zing Why did I feel a little attacked by that. Just bought a typewriter yesterday

[@melliemac5617]

I love this man.

[@heavensent607]

Mellie Mac if you like pedophiles you would love Tom Hanks he’s a pedophile

[@roywoods6767]

HeavenSent if you don’t like Tom Hanks go away

[@LokimonWasHere]

@@roywoods6767 he is a Devil worshiper puppet for the Illuminati.

[@profjohn9629]

@@heavensent607 Please stop it with your crazy talk and seek psychiatric help.

[@allissondiego1989]

Probably the most likable person today

[@alec4672]

"kid I gotta tell ya, I'm done and I don't mean done, I mean done done" what a cool dude

[@terrancebigham6765]

Part of my high school education was learning typewriting. Of course, Don Marquis' archy the cockroach used a typewriter. (And why wasn't Leroy Anderson's "The Typewriter" played here?)

[@erickamaypetronavlog1295]

My Favorite Typewriter is Chicago Typewriter

[@kai326]

I see what you did there, my good man

[@margaretphenicie4522]

I learned on a manual by Mr. Leesburg at Petaluma high school. At 17 years old. I was 75 wpm 1 mistake.

[@unoriented_x4957]

May we please have a Tom Hanks piece every Sunday Morning? Thank you in advance!

[@ConnorJMC41]

What a cool guy

[@skeptical-of-all1633]

anyone notice the sun in the bottom right corner, stayed there the whole time. Also his favorite typewriter was the Corona... Heard that's what he took into quarantine.

[@memorycelle]

Nice! I just found my grandparent's typewriter in the garage. Going to use it for the first time, once I figure out if it still works!

[@dorothykelly8924]

Secretary all my days. In 1950s learned to type on typewriter and boy did we sit up straight. Typewriter keyboard had to be at edge of desk. Hands straight fingers bent. Papers you were typing were on a stand so that you did not look down. Young folk slouching at computers take note.

[@mrcydonia]

I loved typewriters when I was a kid, but I was frustrated that I couldn't type things like ⅜Ɐꬷﷻᴟᴥᶋ۞ѾŴȜ.

[@loughlinsweeney9184]

Mine's a Remington noiseless portable, c.1936. It's neither noiseless nor portable, but I love it. It only ever had two careful owners before me - I bought it from the grandson of a lady who had recently passed on; she had used it to write her masters thesis. She bought it second hand from a gentleman in the 1950s, who had bought it new twenty years prior. Apparently the 'noiseless' and 'portable' aspects of it were supposed to appeal to students working in libraries. I regret to say, as an amateur typewriter owner, that I had to send it to be serviced for the first time since it left the factory - in 2011! Since then it's been running like a dream.

[@lockergr]

Cool story!

[@user-tk1lf5hi6f]

I heard Chet Hanks writes out his dope rhymes on a typewriter. Now it makes sense why.

[@mariacecilia8190]

Tom Hanks is truly an amazing and versatile person 🌟 ❤😍

[@_MaxHeadroom_]

It's David S. Pumpkins maaaaan

[@vincentaurelius2390]

That Smith-Corona and Hanks’ letter will never be separated from each other.

[@junrenong8576]

Its the same thing of having a mechanical keyboard. I mean, for today's world. I really like the sound of a typewriter, and the thing that comes close is a blue-switch, clicky mechanical keyboard. The clicky feedback and the sound produced by it just gives you a sense of productivity and accomplishment. Also, as a nerd, I would really get my hands on a mechanical typewriter. Which the mechanical engineering involved in it still staggers me, when todays world almost everything has electronics in it.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

Text written in typewriter has character and style, but it is quite merciless about mistakes. Mechanical keyboard is best of both worlds having strong tactile feedback and convenience of computer text.

[@VintageTexas59]

Great story and a true gentleman, Mr Hanx sure know his typewriters and been writing back and fourth for 2 years now giving good advice what machine to get and compliments to my letters. ** ** **

[@essaysbyken]

I picked up that same model Smith Corona Clipper that Tom recommended for Lee in this piece. It was from about 1948, likely. 45 bucks. It just needed a new ribbon. And yes, he's right -- it's about as pleasurable a typing experience as you could ever hope to have and it will probably wind up with my great grandkids.

[@Major_Mason]

I bet that new owner letter is worth thousands of dollars due to him both typing and signing it. 😱

[@Lifewithlisalove]

If only I could meet this man named Tom Hanks! He’s such an inspiring human being. His laughter is infectious. His smile warms peoples hearts and will for decades on. I was elated to find out my favorite actor and I share something in common. We both collect typewriters and write!! I could just cry, happy tears! “Because there is no crying”, in baseball after all.

[@RabbiSteve]

You may not be able to meet him, but I hear that if you write him a typewritten note, he may answer you in kind. Gonna try it myself.

[@judybuxton5056]

Would love to show you part of my Dads collection...but no places for photos! His Dad started the business Cherokee Typewriter in hmmmm lots of years ago! Lol! My Dad passed last March at 93...close to 94... And still had 3 old manual typewriters he was working on for those who still used them! That is when he was not painting as he was a brilliant artist as well! He was featured in numerous newspapers and on tv... The Heartland Series (in Knoxville Tennessee!) called "the vanishing type" I have a typewriter in every room and put messages for all to enjoy...and they (being younger) still type out a responce! Would love for you to see my collection as I feel I have a few older models...1800's! Plus the check writer my dad used to pay me with! Lol! Going to get your book! May try to put the up on u-tube so you can see them...but sometimes it scares me to put out to the public!

[@inrptn]

Tom Hanks NWO stooge.

[@NikkiGregory]

I ❤ typing. We sell typewriters on Ebay. We come across some very interesting machines & they are all unique. Like he said, "They have their own personality."

[@autisticrebel1253]

Tom Hanks seemed like a really good guy. I to am a typewriter collector and have four of them and they are generally in quite good nick.

[@ifeelluckytoday]

Check out Madame X album back cover from 2019 Corona typewriter and gloves. Coincidence?

[@WhenHariMetKari]

300th comment. 4:44 am.

[@scottyjett6017]

I was shopping around for a typewriter a few days ago. LoL

[@goldengirl5165]

I had an electric typewriter in high school in the late 90s. I lived with my grandparents and asked for a computer for my birthday. They couldn't afford one so they bought an electric typewriter. Even though it wasn't a computer, I loved it. I used it a lot. It even had a LCD screen, so that I could see what I was typing before I actually put it on paper. I think it is the coolest thing I ever got as a birthday present. I can't wait to read your book Tom.

[@alanOHALAN]

i feel lucky now my step dad bought me a real computer for 2000 bucks. He was generous about it now I think back. 2000 bucks in the late 90's was a lot of money...!

[@NooneStaar]

7:09 Infectious quality of the smith CORONA lol nice.

[@dimthecat9418]

$975 is severely over priced for a smith Corona clipper especially when it has spacing problems wow

[@223raulh]

I hope he is doing fine as is the case with the corona virus and all.

[@brankomijatovic5023]

@CBS Sunday Morning what is with the horrible smoothing filter you are applying to your videos. Makes everyone look like rubber faced cartoon characters. It's horrible.

[@teresasahli5891]

So interesting- love these machines- Looking for a vintage typewriter repair replacement part in St. Paul MPLS area - any ideas?

[@nilo70]

Sunday morning with Tom Hanks…. Perfect!

[@PeacefulVictorytoTruth]

Philly Typewriter look them up and stop on by And Congratulations New York on keeping this Piece of important history alive and well There is someone I am very Fond of Who Does the same thing. They are literal time machines. and It is very cool that Tom Knows this.

[@LastGenGaming675]

Movie idea: About Sholes with Tim Hanks playing Sholes and it goes over his life and the invention of the typewriter and then the impact it had on the world. You can send the royalties check directly to me. thank you l

[@richardherbst488]

There is only one--the Underwood No. 5. Everything else is, well, not an Underwood No. 5. The thing about a typewriter, the real deal, is that it brings more out of your creativity, more than you bargain for. Why you ask? It's like playing saxophone or piano. Once you hit the key or press the valve, that's it. It's out there, no going back, no command-z. So you need a whole sentence in your mind, at the very least, before you press a key. Pretty soon you're composing whole paragraphs, pages, stories... You get the picture. You can't do this with a computer. The spell-checker is you. If you don't read, you can't spell, simple as that. My first stories were written on an Underwood No. 5 picked up in a pawn shop for $20. It stayed with me (actually me with it) for 32 years. I'm not a collector but now I have three.

[@mateuszwasiak]

I wish one day Tom Hanks would write something in Nora Ephron's style. He's the one who could definitely catch the mood of Nora's movies.

[@multyplusprintsolution]

Um grande ator e sabendo disto subiu ainda mais a minha admiração.

[@TheUnkBoogie]

Showing corona typewriter 2 years ago. 1st celeb to get coronavirus .. sleeping public yawns.

[@rometmonte-cristo2722]

My god, when it first cut to the typewriter store, I was like "damn, he looks old now"

[@anthonyt219]

He has a son who calls himself chet haze as a wannabe rapper lol wonder if tom would ever make a joke about that.

[@justicejakober5506]

Tom Hanks My Main Man!!

[@johanmusic2263]

What model is the whisper quiet machine?

[@gregwhite4942]

Someone must tell this man about mechanical keyboards.

[@plantbythemoon2939]

Greg White - it's something rarely understood these days that it obviously isnt the same. It's pretty much like comparing electric shaving to a shave you would get at the barbers, incomparable at all levels.

[@shinnoke8]

And, No Bluescreen btw, thank me later.

[@fmdmackan]

Tom Hanks is the absolute GOAT.

[@kawainess]

I like typewriters but I can't afford to buy one

[@jusufagung]

My typewriter was Brother. It was a very good typewriter.

[@mackencycalecaballero7412]

My father have 1 unit of Olivetti Brand..

[@rbruce63]

Outstanding! Even in real life he’s acting and he does it very well!

[@DriveupLife22]

Plenty of books still get written on a typewriter, its not idiotic to do so.

[@vermontmike9800]

$973 for the Clipper??? Yikes!

[@stefan-anamericaninrussiaa6683]

hehe.. NYC prices..

[@vermontmike9800]

Christopher Bluma I would hope so, though it would be tough paying north of $350. Does anyone know the name of the shop?