Typewriter Video Series - Episode 113: Manuals, Electrics and Creativity

[@abelstypewriters]

Joe Van Cleave is the Bob Ross of Typewriters - and I'm here for it.

[@BThings]

I currently have two typewriters-a manual Remington Quiet-Riter and an electric IBM Wheelwriter. I like to think of the two of them as being rather like a bicycle and a car. My Remington is fun and goes faster than writing with a pen (which would be like walking), and it has the advantage of operating purely under the power I provide it. It's like a bike. In contrast, my IBM is efficient and gets me where I need to go quickly when I have A LOT of writing to do, but it also consumes energy and non-renewable resources. It's like a car. For the manual, I am not only steering the machine by selecting what characters to put on the page, I am providing it with power. For the electric, I am just steering the machine to record what I want to say. I love both my bicycle and my car, and I love both my manual and my electric typewriter. Sometimes, I want to just go for a ride, and others I want to go for a drive. As for computers, I don't quite know how they fit into this metaphor. They might be a starship with a hyperdrive engine or something...Not necessarily always good for going down the street to get bread or going the next town over, but great for visiting Alpha Centauri on the weekend!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Great analogy!

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

Very good thoughts on the comparison. But you chose two extremes: the Rooy vs the IBM. I love my electric SCM Coronamatic 2500. It's 20 lbs yet it performs like a 40 lbs desk typewriter. I can move the carriage and the platen just like on a manual. The view is not hampered and it can use nylon continuous ribbon in a cartridge. You can still find SCM electrics like the Electra 110 or the Classic 12 that use universal ribbon spools. I don't disagree about the noise and the smell (if it was badly serviced or it has too much dust inside) and about the portability. I have a Lettera 32 that is very portable and therefore, have the flexibility to use one or the other. Daniel

[@copyrightfreevideobyttf]

One saw a demonstration video on the IBM Selectric II, and the machine sound really aggressive, like "don't mess with me"... was actually really cool to watch! Those machines look massive!

[@amerigo88]

I grew up in the waning days of the typewriter, mid 1970's to late 1980's. First, I loathe daisy wheel typewriters due to the lag. I type maybe 50 words per minute and I can get way ahead of the daisy wheel. There goes the direct connection feeling so I wouldn't waste $5 on a daisy wheel, but you do you. I had two IBM Selectrics, one of which worked pretty well. They were huge, bulky, and heavy which cut into their chance of winning the creativity debate of "laptop or typewriter today?" The final failing of the Selectrics that led me to get rid of both (other than my wife hating their size in our modest sized home), was the loud humming. The typewriter is my tool for breaking out of writer's block as the paper invites me in and the bell and clicking sounds like riding a train which helps me build writing momentum. But the loud hum of the IBM Selectrics was a constant nagging. If I needed a couple minutes or seconds to ponder, my brain would often be interrupted by that damned humming. So the Selectrics are gone and I'm down to an Olympia SM-9 manual, an Underwood-Olivetti 319 manual, and a Smith-Corona Coronet 12 electric that was unloaded on me by a friend who knew I liked typewriters. However, the engineer in me is finding a renewed interest in owning the Vickers water-cooled, tripod-mounted machine gun of typewriters - the IBM Selectric II. The opportunity to play around with an assortment of type balls appeals and the Selectric takes me back to childhood days when I would hang around my father's office on a college campus. He had a Selectric and I was fascinated with its noisy automation as compared to a battered blue-and-white manual typewriter we had at home. I sure wish I had both of them now but they are long gone as is my childhood. But I recently learned my first grandchild is coming and they will find their own Selectric Rosebud.

[@toddsoliday5049]

I have about 30+ machines (looking to trim down) including manuals and electrics and love my Selectric and an early Royal electric but as far as a great typing experience my SCM Electra is a perfect machine for me.

[@RabbiSteve]

I agree. Just got myself a 1968 SCM Electra 120, locally on FB for $50, and I’m shocked at how much I’m loving that machine.

[@loveisall5520]

This 'debate' also goes on in the fountain pen world, with so many people claiming that only by writing by hand can true spontaneity and creativity be fostered, that a 'cold' typewriter won't do. Well, having made my living on such as Selectrics and even more advanced office machines, electrics are my method when not using fountain pens. I own a bunch of manuals, including ultra-portables, but they're not my staple. I type way too fast for them and find myself frustrated on having to slow down so much. These days, using a mech keyboard on my desktop, I certainly am not constrained when I do 'stream of consciousness' work, having begun work in college on computers before Apple, etc. We must keep in mind that all these things are merely tools; it's only when we try to elevate them to some other status that we get into these conundrums (conundra?)...

[@nakapaa]

I would like to have one of those ultra portable manuals. I go to parks and type stuff. I own a Smith Corona Silent and Olivetti Underwood Studio 44. I really enjoy your videos. More Power to you.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thank you.

[@yamatodamashii1179]

It’d be interesting to see the perspective from the typewriters in regards to how they view the fragility of their human operators. You compare and contrast manual v. Electric with the obvious bias towards manuals. Maybe typewriters in whole are like the giving tree and have to relish the times of being useful while suffering the whims and mortality of the ones they love most.

[@u.sonomabeach6528]

My electric typewriter collection keeps growing. My girlfriend is starting to get pissed because these bulky typewriter cases are starting to stack up. A stocker at the local goodwill saves every typewriter that comes in and he gets several a week, most of them like new with case or still in the box. Just this week I picked up a Smith-Corona coronet super 12, a smith-corona coronet automatic, a royal apollo 12, a brother correct-o-riter cassette 815, one that has no name, a Sears graduate still in the box with a receipt from the 90s and 4 extra ribbons, also 3 extra cassettes ribbons for the SC super12, and I picked up a royal quiet deluxe manual a few weeks back, all came with their case and work with absolutely no problems and amazingly don't have any dust and look brand new! I paid $2.99 each!

[@u.sonomabeach6528]

One of the ladies that works there said she threw an 'old ancient looking' typewriter away the day before that didn't have the cord. She said she can't remember the name when I asked her and she started ad-libbing trying to recall and when she said 'Oh yeah, it was an under word..... yeah under word or under work...it had under 'something' on the front and it was old and ancient looking'. My heart dropped and the cruelty of it all settled in. I started jogging over to the dumpster and she said that the waste was already taken away. She said she dropped it hard in the bin and broke anyway....

[@briandrake5464]

Having just bought a Selectric I like yours (the 11" inch version) I feel your pain in lifting it! It's neat but it ain't no Royal KMM, which is by far the favorite of my collection. Did you ever do the Swintec video? I can't find it if you did.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

No Swintec yet!

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

"ZENITH" 78 record player? AWSOME!!! I inherited a "BLAUPUNKT" COMBO RADIO/STEREO RECORD PLAYER "LIVING ROOM" CONSOLE UNIT from my Dad. He bought it NEW downtown at MACY'S and lugged the thing, ALONE, on the subway to his apartment all the way up in the East Bronx, on the SUBWAY!!!! (YES! My DAD was a VERY powerful man for his size. Deceptively so.)

[@BrentWigginsWords]

It comes down to discipline. If I look at it as a tool, and use it only for intended purposes, then I have become disciplined and useful as the tool I use. Slowing down is important to me but for some speed is a priority. We all work differently, we all create differently. I could be satisfied with writing one good page a day where someone else would want 10 solid pages a day. Discipline determines how and what we think, act, work, and create. As individual thinkers, we pick the tool that is right for us to match our sense of discipline.

[@deancummings586]

Hi Joe, I'd love to see the Swintec "unveiling" video. As far as the differences between the manual and electric typewriter, might I suggest there is something in between the pure manual and "typeball" style IBM electric you've showcased here? What I'm talking about is the "elecro mechanical" (not sure that's a real term), but what I'm referring to is the electric typewriter with real type arms and cloth ribbons. I have a Smith Corona "Electra C/T" and I've enjoyed doing first draft writing with it. I'm thinking it's "one layer" closer to the manual than the IBM you show here, (and I'm certain it's a lot lighter than the IBM :-) ). Thoughts on that Joe?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Indeed, type bar electric machines are just electrified manual machines. They hit the page hard, make a dark imprint. Interesting fact about the IBM Selectric is that it too is electro-mechanical in function. Other than the electric motor that turns some belts, everything else is mechanical in the Selectric. It's certainly the most complex electromechanical typewriter; left unused and they need service; used too much and they also need service. It wasn't until the daisywheel typewriters in the early 1980s that we had electronic machines.

[@deancummings586]

@@Joe_VanCleave That makes things clearer for me Joe, thank you for responding!

[@ovisergiu]

You buy that Swintec, Joe! I would love to watch the unboxing and to find your opinion about it. Do not forget that if you do not like it, you may return it or resell it. I love electrics and have an Adler Gabriele 2000. It is true that I need a power cord to go on my porch and type. That would not be a problem for me unless I am on somebody elses porch. I like electric typewriters just because the speed of my hands typing reaches the speed of my thoughts; on a manually typewriter I can not keep up with my thoughts.

[@panama-canada]

You have a good point.

[@zackinblack]

I like how some just tell me to use a pen, but they don't realize that the typewriter and the pen are one in the same, they both require ink.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Yes!

[@tmunk]

You guys are coming to Phoenix?!? :D

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Yes! But it's a dry heat.

[@tmunk]

cool, I'll bring you a screwless Rocket you can salvage a motor from. (:

[@MillyToast]

Did you get a Swintec?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Not yet, but I’d love a clear “prison” version, without the actual prison experience!

[@midgeburleigh5694]

Hello from a semi- lockdowned exasperated Scotland. Sigh. Long. LONNNNGG SHOT!! Has anyone got either a manual/instructions booklet or a link to download a (pdf) doc. For a Brother AX110 electric typewriter? (Not the AX10).. I cannot find one anywhere online. Failing that.. can anyone tell me, How the %&£%% do you move the margins on the Ax110. The symbols on the keys are different from the AX 10. Thank you from Ayrshire ✌

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I found this: piereupuse.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/brother-ax-110-user-manual.pdf

[@eaqb4894]

They also sell brand new Brother electric typewriters on Amazon.

[@rogeliolopez2190]

Thoose probably wieght only 7 to 10 pounds ( about what a late 2000s laptop weights). They probably arent bad ( my school has one of thoose to fill up forms). Royal still makes manual typewriters for about the same price and uses a regular cloth ribbon.

[@malgorzatapierzga3684]

Hello! I just got beautiful typemachne which has big silver logo on the front - VERTEX. I can not find any info regarding g that machine. Can sent you link. It is beige and braun colour. Help uf you can identifying that machine.thank you

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I haven't heard of that model. Often typewriters were rebranded with store brands, or in the case of brands like Brother they used many different brand names besides brother. If you post a link to a picture, perhaps someone can identify it.

[@malgorzatapierzga3684]

@@Joe_VanCleave Thank you

[@Olumin37]

electric typewriters are not portable and were never supposed to be. The very nature of an electric typewriter defies the concept of portability as you are chained to a power cord, which in most places outside you own 4 walls, will not be available to you. An electric typewriter is suited for heavy writing, for extended periods of time, at work in an office or at home sitting on a sturdy desk. It is an efficient tool designed to accomplish a specific job. A portable is not, it is more flexible and not at all intended for writing a novel. That doesn’t keep some people from written one on them.

[@Olumin37]

By the way, you mention electric typewriters a lot in this video and mention that they require carbon ribbons. You are thinking of electronic machines like the Wheelwriter. Only some electrics like the IBM Selectric and some Olivettis use carbon film ribbons. Most electrics I know use standard typewriter ribbons. Early Selectrics actually used ink ribbons as well.

[@jasonpeachrick2037]

Olumin This is why I love the Smith-Corona electrics from the late 50s and 60s. They use the same cloth ribbons that their manual counterparts use, however this was eventually replaced with the Coronamatic cartridge in the 70s (I don’t have any experience with these so I don’t know if they contain a cloth ribbon or carbon...). They also, unlike electronic typewriters, have a movable carriage. It is pretty common for people to mix up electric and electronic, but there is a huge difference in the typing experience of the two.

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

@@jasonpeachrick2037 Coronamatic cartridges come in nylon endless now. You cannot find new carbon film cartridges.

[@joeltunnah]

I think it’s dangerous to link your “creativity” to a particular tool. I saw that a lot in the photography world. But I agree that there’s a lot to not like about pre-1980 electrics. The post-1980 electronics are a different story. Light, cheap, smaller, spelling and grammar checks, memory, readily available ribbon and correction tape, flawless daisy wheel type quality, etc. The only drawback is build quality; they feel (and creak) like the cheap hollow plastic boxes that they are. Also some may not like the 80’s aesthetics... I personally do.

[@abelstypewriters]

As a long time creative, and amateur musician: An instrument is an instrument. It's also a vector of expression.

[@joeltunnah]

@@abelstypewriters I don’t see the connection between typewriters and musical instruments.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Well? I guess that mostly ALL the "ELECTRICS" were designed for or based upon models meant mostly for office use. "MANUALS" while they were and can still be used in the office are better for "adventure" typing out in "the wild".

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

The criteria seems pretty simple to me... WEIGHT! "Ultra" vs. "Portable"? It implies you'll be physically CARRYING the device. Sometimes over great distance to your intended destination. Unless you employ a small, folding luggage cart to do so, LIGHTER is better. Since typewriters are mechanical or electromechanical devices they're inherently HEAVIER than an all silicone based laptop computer or dedicated word processor, which, by the way, requires a separate printing device; more weight to carry! Also... As Joe mentions, with a typewriter I can step away from my ongoing project and leave it in place and... WHADDAYAKNOW? It'll STILL be there, right where I left it, right where I left off, and go right back to writing. You CAN'T do that with a laptop or any digital device or computer.

[@greatestscott6599]

*I* t *B* uilds *M* uscle Carrying it made Joe Van Cleave into Joe _Weider_ .

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Electric vs. NON? Yes and no. There are places where EACH is appropriate. It is the user who must decide where, when and how THEIR machine will be operated and also for what purpose. An office clerk vs. an author? The jobs are totally different and yes, may require different machines.

[@panama-canada]

… or you can just scribble with a pen.