Typewriter Typing Cadence

[@mikequinlan9585]

Joe you’re the best!

[@dadtype2339]

Hi Joe, I hadn't realized that machines have a set speed designed into them which absolutely makes sense, as you know having been a mechanic, reminds me of timing in engines as they too have a set timing and a sine wave will show if there are timing issues as we have since waves of good engine type samples to compare against. Why this hadn't dawned on me with mechanical typewriters, as I did understand electric type bars in their manual or sometimes on the bottom of the machine it will have a number stamp of set or best words per min. Why I didn't apply this same idea to the manual machines I just don't know and feel a bit Dunce with stool and hat complete in corner. As I know which of my machines can go faster than others. For example, at least in my collection, my 1959 Hermes 3000 is much slower than my 1952 Olympia SM3. Both have a steady set. But I find I can go, as Bob Ross used to say, 3 hairs and some air faster on the Olympia. The speed difference really isn't much. Now both are slow when compared to my 1968 Smith Corona Galaxie Deluxe, now that's an even faster machine. It can handle up to 120 wpm, but not much faster than that as it will begin to jam type bars, pile letters, or skip. I do like to take my time which is why I use a Typewriter for the first drafts, but I know of my machines which can really stretch out on or which to be tight on. And yes each machine not only has a set speed which has probably down graded from over the years, but each has a different technique, never mind speed, the technique between those 3 machines is different, from each other as all machines in my collection. So there's speed, timing and technique, absolutely, and then you have personality too, a not so technical design nor something that can be grafted, but each of my machines has a personality, and an attitude the Hermes 3K is very relaxed and easy going, whereas my Galaxie Deluxe is a bit more like an Office Champion, the Olympia is Business and First Class, all are very grand to type on. Prices are insane on Typewriters now I saw the other day same year and color (colour) as my Galaxie Deluxe, I paid $64.00 rounding here and that's including shipping, so for the machine it was like $34.00 +$30.00 for shipping again rounding here there was some change but it was closer to an even $64. Saw one like it for $600!!!!! Mine in better condition and that is just the machine!!! Glad I got all the machines I wanted while under the rare inflation price. Well almost all. Four machines are on my list yet: A black 1947 Royal KMM (Magic Margin) A 1977 Olivetti DL (Deluxe) 1958-59 SCM Office Secretary Model 88 Wanna talk fast...watch a video here on YT search "1958 Common typing mistakes and how to Correct them". You should have a video generated from 1958/59 with Mr. Sax, That Machine is the star of the show! Super fast, if I had one I'd pay good money to have it professionally serviced, as that machine can rock and roll. You don't even have to complete a full runway slide on the carriage you can let got half way through and the weigh and mechanics of the machine will finish the draw for you. And Some kind of Ultra portable typewriter I don't have a mechanical ultra portable typewriter yet. Enjoyed this one, Thank you Joe. I'll send you a link to that video, it's really something to see.

[@douglasjackson9058]

I cannot imagine how long this wonderful video took to make. Very creative and so well done. Such wonderful information,thanks so much for your hard work and efforts,very appreciated 👍

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thank you!

[@lorensims4846]

In my typing class in the mid '70s, we were encouraged to try to establish as even a typing cadence as possible, mostly because it becomes easier and less rushed. To me it seemed they were trying to establish something of a zen state where the process became steady and effortless. Over Christmas break that year I completely lost my touch-typing ability and ever after worked on my own very fast hunt-and peck method that would still allow me to produce more than 50 WPM. I just had to be able to see the keyboard. Earlier this year I wanted to reestablish my touch typing skills that I had lost so long ago. I found it problematic to try typing on my computer. I decided I needed to get myself a manual typewriter similar to the one I learned on in the first place. I bought a mid '40s Royal KMM and I used as a guide a "How to Type" guide published by Royal, also in the mid '40s. In less than an hour I had my old touch typing skills back. But I still find myself typing the way I have for the last fifty years because it's possible to type using only one hand while my other hand is doing something else, such as holding up my laptop as I am right now. But a steady typing cadence is always something to work for.

[@davidottman9501]

Thanks Joe! So it's just like in any sport where fastest time wins: "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast." :)

[@danieldeary9344]

Enjoyed this immensely even for a dyslexic two fingered typist! Needless to say, my cadence is on the slower side.

[@hitbyabus4615]

I have had a typewriter for a while and it took me a lot of time to establish a proper technique and it for some reason helped when I used carriage shift machines (I have no idea why) and after about 2 months I finally got my skill… then lost it after having to pack my machines for moving and not using them for about 3 months. I’m slowly regaining my technique and these videos are very helpful because I was unfortunately not born in the generation that taught these machines specifically (15yo) so these videos are very helpful to me, thanks

[@bountybar]

Thanks Joe. This explains a lot about issues with some of my typewriters - the issues are mostly me not them :-)

[@christophermckellar1352]

Well done! Informative and clear. Thanks.

[@ELMS]

That was really interesting, Joe. A lot of work clearly went into it. Thanks!

[@WilliamFeryll]

Yes I have found that I need to use different techniques with different machines to get the best out of them. Still loving my Smith-Corona Galaxy Twelve and Olivetti Praxis 48. Thank you so much for your typewriter videos, they are an amazing wealth of information, entertainment, and wisdom. God Speed Joe Van Cleave

[@mattkaspar2031]

Tension in shoulders can be a problem. I have felt my shoulders up around my ears at times. If you can relax them a bit and feel that down thru your hands it helps. Oddly enough - same issue and solution when at the piano or on the golf course.

[@joãoAlberto-k9x]

O.K.. 🎉. Very interesting video.

[@irmabecx4758]

Almost. It's five lettters, because that compensates for all the much more common 1-2-3 letter words. Frequency, no?

[@ronkelsey1983]

Really good information! I know that I don't possess good technique. I have noticed that the snappier, quicker machines feel better to me. The most problematic machines in our collection are just about always Royals. My technique just doesn't work as well with a Royal.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I agree, Royal portables can be troublesome.

[@Selectrolux]

@@Joe_VanCleave I have a Royal Safari (mfg. 1967) that will either crowd two consecutive letters or insert a space between two letters if I attempt to type too fast on it. I also have a Selectric that I can trip up too if I do something it doesn't like--for example, two different characters struck on the Selectric in rapid succession can be buffered by the interposer mechanism...but the same character struck in rapid succession (as in words like "better, immerse, referral) either results in the second same character not printing at all, or a "-" appearing in its place, which I like to call a mechanical "race error" (which is a computing term for a crash caused by one process outrunning another).

[@nandi123]

Lenore Fenton, in her WW2 training film, emphasized the importance of typing with a consistent rhythm. She gives a very good demonstration. Her videos are on youtube.

[@Selectrolux]

Whenever I type on a manual typewriter (or even a computer keyboard for that matter), I tend to focus on having a staccato touch on the keys. I find it helps to make my impressions on a manual typewriter to appear uniform, and it helps my accuracy when typing on the computer. Of course, my keystrokes are softer when using the computer, but there definitely is a technique to being both an accurate typist on both types of machinery.

[@joãoAlberto-k9x]

Does mr. The Flash type?

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

My typing cadence is 👎.