Does anyone use typewriters anymore?
By Phyrre
@phyrre (2317)
United States
August 8, 2009 6:43pm CST
I was really wondering this lately because my husband thought I was nearly crazy when I told him I wanted a new typewriter. He didn't know why I would want one when I have a computer. But when I write, I like to do it somewhere peaceful and I don't want to be distracted. I've got a cemetery by the house with beautiful trees and benches that would make a perfect, quiet place to work (no through traffic or anything and on a back road), but I don't want to bring my computer over there. not to mention that I have wireless internet on my computer and I am very bad at resisting temptation. If I can get on the internet, I will.
So my solution was to get a new typewriter. I had one years ago that I used to use for typing, back before we had a computer that would print, and I liked it. It was a pain when it came to editing and fixing mistakes, but I type better now and usually don't make too many errors, so that wouldn't be as much of a big deal. Plus, there are some that are $50 and less, which wouldn't be a bad investment as long as I used it.
But then I got to thinking does anyone really use typewriters anymore? We've got two antique ones at the house that I don't want to put new ribbon into because the keys aren't quite up to par, so they wouldn't work well anyway (true antiques LOL). But I don't really hear of too many people using them nowadays.
Do you use a typewriter for anything?
2 people like this
21 responses
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
9 Aug 09
Wow! I don't know when I have ever even heard of using a typewriter anymore. When I took my first typing class (it wasn't called "keyboarding" then!) were just transitioning to electric from manual!
2 people like this
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
9 Aug 09
Yeah, I think that's how most people are. We didn't have a computer for quite a while when I was growing up, even though they did exist. Of course, that's the way my family's been for generations. :) We didn't even have typing classes, though, I don't think. We just had classes that familiarized us with different functions of the computer, especially Microsoft Office products.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
9 Aug 09
Hi phyrre, I was just wishing yesterday that I still had the old manual typewriter, not to actually use myself but to teach my child to touch type on. We just have a laptop now and I don't like the keyboard on it much and the other keyboard I had won't plug into it for some reason. My child is interested to learn to speed along like he sees me when typing rather than looking at the keyboard but I think it would be much better to pound along on a manual to actually learn.
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
9 Aug 09
Oh, that's a really good idea! I never thought about that. My sister absolutely loves trying to type on the computer with us (she's 2), but she tends to mess things up. Maybe we can get out one of our old typewriters and let her use that. :) We have several.
You could try getting him a computer game to play, if you wanted. My grandfather bought me a game to help me learn to type faster without looking at the keyboard and I absolutely loved it. Played it for hours on end. And now I can type without looking, in the dark, whatever, and I type about 70 - 80 WPM. ^_^
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
9 Aug 09
Heh, I don't have the dedication you do. I have an extremely short attention span, so if I don't find something interesting then I'll give up on it before too long. I tried learning just by typing from reading off a book on my computer like you did...but it's just not anything that I could do for amounts of time, so I finally gave it up.
@cwong77 (2010)
• Malaysia
9 Aug 09
Yes, not many people uses typewriter nowadays, but me, I am using it! I like the typewriter (but of course it has to be those electronic ones) than the old analog type. I don't think I can stand typing like those days with it. I will still be able to do my margin adjustment, type with double spacing and so forth.. and I can do with a typewriter very well... :)
1 person likes this
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
9 Aug 09
Oh, that's awesome! I was hoping I wasn't the only one that still wanted to use a typewriter. xD
You use the electronic typewriter? I have a question about it, if you don't mind. Do the electronic typewriters have to be plugged in or can they be toted around without having to worry about that? I can't seem to really find many places that tell specifically, and that would very much be a deciding factor on whether I wanted to go electric or not, which would be much more convenient.
@cwong77 (2010)
• Malaysia
9 Aug 09
phyrre, unfortunately the electronic ones will have to be plug on to the power supply.. I have not heard of any of those can act like a laptop, where it conserve power in batteries.. An electronic ones will be much easier as the typing pad is much sensitive to touch unlike the analog ones that you need full strength in getting those letters type.. all the best in searching for one..
1 person likes this
@koalapenguin (2707)
• Philippines
9 Aug 09
"I've got a cemetery by the house with beautiful trees and benches that would make a perfect, quiet place to work (no through traffic or anything and on a back road)" It sounds very quiet indeed and quite old-fashioned. Maybe that's the reason you wanted to buy a new typewriter. :p It's mush cheaper too cause it doesn't utilize electricity for writing. 
I don't personally use typewriter anymore but we have places here that offers typewriting services using the old fashioned typewriters. Some "Typist" as i may say, make use of their machine for a living. You can find them at the streets of Manila beside big Universities. 
I don't personally use typewriter anymore but we have places here that offers typewriting services using the old fashioned typewriters. Some "Typist" as i may say, make use of their machine for a living. You can find them at the streets of Manila beside big Universities. 1 person likes this
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
9 Aug 09
Really? We don't have any places like that around here. I think that would be really neat, still making a living with typewriters. :D But yes, it's quite a quiet, beautiful place, which is perfect for writing! And you're right, that might be why I wanted a typewriter in the first place...LOL.
1 person likes this
Good luck on your hobby. 
@panks7077 (47)
• India
9 Aug 09
I really liked this question? well about typewriters, I used it 6 years ago and even that was for learning typing. But nowdays its very hard to even find them. They are extincting if I am not wrong. As computers, Laptops and notebooks are in, these machines have outraced the typewriters.
1 person likes this
@roselynm1023 (950)
• Philippines
9 Aug 09
not anymore. i find it easier to use my laptop. honestly i often print my documents. i have it stored for soft copy and burned it in a cd. i guess using typewriter is obsolete. most of the documents nowadays are computer based so there is not need for a computer. what in my mind is to use a typewriting in practicing typing speed and typing skills. but for other purpose i prefer to use the computer.
1 person likes this
@persona_touch (1701)
• United States
9 Aug 09
my grand mother have one but i don't i love them tho they are cool.
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
9 Aug 09
I think they're pretty cool, too, and they do just as good of a job as computers when you get one that works decently. It's just a tad bit more work and maintenance, but I'd willingly trade both of those for something that would be better for my personal use. ^_^
@sagnik42 (3592)
• India
9 Aug 09
My grandfather had a typewriter once.It is still in our house.I used it when I was a kid, but with a keyboard and pc I do not feel like using the typewriter anymore.It is there somewhere in a corner of our store room.Your discussion made me quite nostalgic.I am missing my grandfather.
1 person likes this
@klwheretogo (230)
• Malaysia
9 Aug 09
i used typewriter once, in my office. only once, no more. in fact during the first time, i not even know how to operate a typewriter, but never mind since that is my first time and last time as well.
1 person likes this
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
9 Aug 09
That's ok, I didn't know how to use a typewriter my first time, either! I figured out how to load the paper, but I didn't know what to do once it hit the end of the line. xD My grandparents had to show my how to use it since even my mother didn't know how.
@homeshoppers (6166)
• Philippines
9 Aug 09
we still have our old typewriter but we never use it anymore. one time i tried to use it and my sister was screaming bcoz its so noisy. and yes thats true its very noisy though i dont know why some people become not use to the sound of it while it becomes the most useful thing in the past.
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
9 Aug 09
I like the sound of a typewriter, though. I'm not sure why, but I've always loved the clack of the keys and everything. Even when I type, the keys clack and if they don't it annoys me (unless someone's trying to sleep and then I type as quietly as possible).
@master101 (223)
• Indonesia
9 Aug 09
I stop using typewriter like 12 years ago :P
And frankly i havent yet met anyone using typewriter these days. And I dont really get the idea of why people still wanna use it. sorry.
1 person likes this
@scarsofdeath (51)
•
9 Aug 09
I have seen people in the court use typewriters. Still many people learn short-hand and typing. I think if we make less mistakes while we type, we can really work well in a typewriter. As, it is a cheap alternative of a costly desktop or a laptop, moreover no problems of power supply and battery backup. And if you are a writer, you would surely prefer the typewriter to a laptop as it works peacefully, without almost any noise.
1 person likes this
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
9 Aug 09
I don't know what typewriters you use, but all the ones I've been on make lots of noise and the keys clack and everything. But they're all old, too. Then again, they're much easier to pick up and relocate to any quiet location without worrying about being bothered. :)
@warren06 (70)
• Philippines
9 Aug 09
yes until now there are some people/company that use typewriter..
some municipal hall or in offices they are still use it.. but as we all know it is more better to use a computer rather than to use a typewriter..theres a lot of features that we can get in computer that we cannot find in typewriter..
1 person likes this
@raclie (1732)
• Singapore
29 Aug 09
haha, i have never even seen a typewriter before! i think it must be interesting, but you will have to be really careful or you will make a mistake right? i think a computer is more efficient as you will be able to delete words a large amount at a time and also be able to get information online. if you are so worried about being distracted, why dont you just turn the wireless off? that will prevent you from using the internet!
1 person likes this
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
9 Aug 09
What's a communicator? Wow, you've had a computer since 1985? That blows my mind. xD I wasn't even born then, and we didn't even get our first computer until I was at least halfway through elementary school. And that thing was a DOS, which was no good for typing but could support some really basic games.
@iwinagain (545)
•
9 Aug 09
I used a typewriter before when I was little but when computers became popular, I started using computers to type and print out things because it's more convenient.
1 person likes this
That's what my main problem is, is that I get distracted too easily when there are other options. I kind of like typing on typewriters better than computers, too. Not sure why that is.
@incredibleDNA (1742)
• Philippines
9 Aug 09
yes there are still some clerical office and some notary public services that uses typewriters.
1 person likes this
@ravirai8616561 (824)
• India
9 Aug 09
I use it.Its a handy tool still for my own story writing.Have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@kennishababy (193)
• United States
9 Aug 09
I have never owned a typewriter or used one but it could be interesting to do so.
1 person likes this
