Ahh, manual typewriters. So frustrating and yet so sort-of-satisfying. When I was 9 my school taught me how to touch type on one and I whiled away many a rage-filled hour hammering with tiny fingers at unyielding keys, mentally chanting the dirge of the trainee-typist: “A. Ess. Dee. Eff. Space. Jay. Kay. Ell. Semi colon. Space. A. Ess. Dee. Eff…” etc, etc, repeat until your fingers bleed.

That said, by the time I was 10 I was making basically no typing mistakes – a sort of Pavlovian conditioning where I knew every mistake meant a) getting the Tipp-ex out and b) more typing, so better GET IT RIGHT FIRST TIME.

When I used my first computer keyboard, my typing almost immediately became lazy and imprecise, my fingers gliding with improbable ease. Mistakes were easy to correct, so I made more (I even made one just then – mae instead of made). So yes, bittersweet.

It had been a LOT of years since I last saw a manual typewriter, but recently I’ve been coming across a lot of really interesting uses, hacks and modifications.

Here are my top five, in order of you’ve-probably-seen-this-already to get-ready-to-have-your-mind-blown:

5) Datamancer

Upcycling old typewriter components (and more) to create beautiful Steampunk keyboards.

He also makes whole computers and monitors and other incredible gubbins, but the keyboards are my fave. (Are you listening, friends? Chanukah’s coming up.  Just sayin’.)

They combine what I love about manual typewriters – the tactile feel and aesthetics, with the harsh reality that I sadly can’t use one to write a blog, go online, or kill zombies. With this, I could!

4) usbtypewriter.com

An iPad dock/usb keyboard combo.  Anachronistc? More like amacchronistic, right guys?! Yeah. Wordplay.

For those keeping track of my wishlist, you’ll need to get me an iPad first, so I’ve got something to plug into the usbtypewriter. Thanks.

3) Haunted Typewriter

A misanthropic possessed typewriter that comes to life as you approach it? OK!

It was made as part of the recent Unleashed Devices exhibition which I wish I’d been able to visit. There’s something rather creepy about seeing a typewriter move of its own accord.

Fingers crossed it’ll get a permanent home somewhere or, at the very least, there’ll be another chance to see it in the flesh (in the metal?).

More on the haunted typewriter here.

(Disclosure: Neil‘s my cousin)

2) You’re in a room. There’s a typewriter.

Following on nicely, Jonathan Guberman has also made a typewriter that can type by itself. What’s even more interesting is that you can also type messages the other way.  It’s an output AND an input device.

And what’s more he’s rigged it to play classic text adventure/interactive fiction game Zork.

Can’t wait to see more of this – I know he’s working on some games written especially for the platform of talky-typewriter.  I’d love to see a real life / interactive fiction crossover game.

You’re in a room with me, a possessed typewriter. There are no exits, but I’ll respond to your questions.

>>>Why am I here?

That’s a big question, why not look around the room.  Can you see anything?

>>>Painting.

Where is the painting?

>>>On the wall.

Ahh! That’s a print of the Mona Lisa.  Notice anything strange?

>>>No.

Lift it off the wall.  Anything happen?

>>>A key dropped out.

Interesting!

Something like that, only less rubbish. You get the idea.

(originally came across this at Boing Boing)

1) Keira Rathbone

Kiera Rathbone is a little bit (read: a lot) mind-blowing.  I’ll let her explain:

“I create drawings using my vintage typewriter as my pen. I use letters, numbers and symbols to build up a picture rather than words.”

This is her drawing (typing) Bournemouth pier:

So yeah – creative, incredible, clever.  I was particularly impressed by her Obama.

(tip off from my mate Sarah Jane)

Carriage return

So, admittedly, this has mostly turned into a glorified Amazon wishlist for Things I Want. Sorry.

Anyone else got a good typewriter story (possibly involving the horrors of ribbon ink)? Or come across something I should have included and didn’t? Let me know in the comments!

And remember: it’s typewriter, not typewronger. Yeah. More wordplay.