The Typewriter

[Michael Leigh]

I learnt to type on a Adler Primus portable typewriter over 30 years ago when the home computer and Internet were not as common as they are today. When I bought my first PC, it felt like I had truly arrived. The simplicity of the back space, cut and pasting text to your heart's content at a click of a mouse button was too hard to resist. Who in their right mind would want to go back to laboriously hammering away at a noisy typewriter and using the dreaded Tippex correction fluid? My humble typewriter was placed in the loft never to be used again. Eventually it was given to a relative.

For many years I have been content using my keyboard and computer to write, purely putting my thoughts into words. With the help of the Internet the world is at at my fingertips with the amount of information to source on any particular subject. Whenever I want a break there's Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites to unwind for a little while.

Why then was I starting to feel that perhaps I was getting too much of a good thing and wanting to return to using a typewriter? I began watching videos where people were saying, using a typewriter there is less distractions and one can just focus on writing. The temptation to visit social media sites, watching YouTube videos, scrolling through forum posts and email messages no longer takes up so much time. Something I have found myself getting easily drawn into.

It wasn't long before I heard about the Hermes 3000 typewriter and the huge following it has. To be honest I didn't like the look of it and thought it was far too expensive for a fully serviced model in good condition. I would not be buying a typewriter unless it had been fully serviced.

I bought an Olympus Splendid 33 and was thoroughly pleased with it. It took some getting used to but after a little while was quite content with it. When I saw a Voss typewriter up for sale I couldn't resist it. A heavier and more substantial machine than Splendid 33. Its glorious chrome throughout and subtle curves oozes quality and class. Beautifully restored by Mr George Blackman, typewriter technician extraordinaire.

The Hermes 3000 typewriter began to grow on me. Some time ago I bought 1970 all metal box type model which is a dream to use. It's in a completely different league to the Voss and Splendid 33. Now I see why the 3000 is so highly rated. Tom Hanks has a collection of over 250 typewriters and the Hermes 3000 is his favourite. Typing on it feels so fluid and effortless that it's a delight to use.

I have just bought a 1965 Hermes 3000 Curvy and awaiting delivery. Fully serviced and looks in good condition. Hopefully this will be my last typewriter purchase.

Take care and wishing you all the best,
Michael

 

[Damocles]

I learnt to type on a Adler Primus portable typewriter over 30 years ago when the home computer and Internet were not as common as they are today. When I bought my first PC, it felt like I had truly arrived. The simplicity of the back space, cut and pasting text to your heart's content at a click of a mouse button was too hard to resist. Who in their right mind would want to go back to laboriously hammering away at a noisy typewriter and using the dreaded Tippex correction fluid? My humble typewriter was placed in the loft never to be used again. Eventually it was given to a relative.

For many years I have been content using my keyboard and computer to write, purely putting my thoughts into words. With the help of the Internet the world is at at my fingertips with the amount of information to source on any particular subject. Whenever I want a break there's Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites to unwind for a little while.

Why then was I starting to feel that perhaps I was getting too much of a good thing and wanting to return to using a typewriter? I began watching videos where people were saying, using a typewriter there is less distractions and one can just focus on writing. The temptation to visit social media sites, watching YouTube videos, scrolling through forum posts and email messages no longer takes up so much time. Something I have found myself getting easily drawn into.

It wasn't long before I heard about the Hermes 3000 typewriter and the huge following it has. To be honest I didn't like the look of it and thought it was far too expensive for a fully serviced model in good condition. I would not be buying a typewriter unless it had been fully serviced.

I bought an Olympus Splendid 33 and was thoroughly pleased with it. It took some getting used to but after a little while was quite content with it. When I saw a Voss typewriter up for sale I couldn't resist it. A heavier and more substantial machine than Splendid 33. Its glorious chrome throughout and subtle curves oozes quality and class. Beautifully restored by Mr George Blackman, typewriter technician extraordinaire.

The Hermes 3000 typewriter began to grow on me. Some time ago I bought 1970 all metal box type model which is a dream to use. It's in a completely different league to the Voss and Splendid 33. Now I see why the 3000 is so highly rated. Tom Hanks has a collection of over 250 typewriters and the Hermes 3000 is his favourite. Typing on it feels so fluid and effortless that it's a delight to use.

View attachment 49704

I have just bought a 1965 Hermes 3000 Curvy and awaiting delivery. Fully serviced and looks in good condition. Hopefully this will be my last typewriter purchase.

Take care and wishing you all the best,
Michael

Yeah, typewriters are/were cool. Louder than a laptop/PC keyboard, mind.

How do you find the noise levels typing?

 

[Michael Leigh]

How do you find the noise levels typing?

Good question @Damocles. It was something I hadn't thought about because I learnt to type on the Adler Portable typewriter 30 years ago and didn't have tinnitus at the time.

Even though my hyperacusis has been cured for many years it was certainly a wake up call. The sound of the type bars hitting the rubber platen was irritating my ears but not painful. This began in late November 2020. I decided not to push it and began wearing noise reducing earplugs and the problem was solved.

This wasn't ideal as I like to listen to music while writing. I thought about a plan of action and decided to wear my white noise generators continuously for 8 hours a day. Within 6 months I was able to use the typewriter without earplugs and no longer felt any discomfort. My Voss typewriter emits a particular high pitched thwack so I do wear my noise reducing earplugs if I'm going to use it for long periods, as I'd rather not push it. The Hermes and the Olympia Splendid 33 are much quieter and cause no problems.

Even then if I'm going to be using them for quite some time I will use the earplugs as it's not worth tempting fate.

Good question and thanks for asking. The typewriters are fun to use and I enjoy using them.

All the best,
Michael

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

Good question @Damocles. It was something I hadn't thought about because I learnt to type on the Adler Portable typewriter 30 years ago and didn't have tinnitus at the time.

Even though my hyperacusis has been cured for many years it was certainly a wake up call. The sound of the type bars hitting the rubber platen was irritating my ears but not painful. This began in late November 2020. I decided not to push it and began wearing noise reducing earplugs and the problem was solved.

This wasn't ideal as I like to listen to music while writing. I thought about a plan of action and decided to wear my white noise generators continuously for 8 hours a day. Within 6 months I was able to use the typewriter without earplugs and no longer felt any discomfort. My Voss typewriter emits a particular high pitched thwack so I do wear my noise reducing earplugs if I'm going to use it for long periods, as I'd rather not push it. The Hermes and the Olympia Splendid 33 are much quieter and cause no problems.

Even then if I'm going to be using them for quite some time I will use the earplugs as it's not worth tempting fate.

Good question and thanks for asking. The typewriters are fun to use and I enjoy using them.

All the best,
Michael

My goodness @Michael Leigh, I hadn't thought of typewriters in over 60 years. Yeah I'm old. I did take type writing class in school, but never could hit the right groove of using one. Probably because all those pretty young ladies typing away caused distractions. Couldn't conceive shorthand either. Final grade was failed. But to see that typewriter in the post you put up brings back good memories. Hell it takes me 15 minutes to just write this, using the one finger approach.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Naughty, naughty Elmer and that'll teach you to study your lesson instead of looking at those pretty ladies. I'm guilty of that too, that's why I learnt touch typing from a book.

Arrived home each evening from work, settled myself down and followed the exercises and listening to a tutor on audio cassette, remember those? Now I'm showing my age at a mere 62. When a woman said to me in a coffee shop a few days ago I look in my early 40s, just couldn't help grinning like a Cheshire cat. That's all I needed to ask her to join me for a coffee which she accepted!

Here is my other Hermes 3000 box type.

Take care,
Michael

 

[Leila]

Makes me wonder where ours has disappeared to

Happy typing!

 

[Michael Leigh]

Makes me wonder where ours has disappeared to

Happy typing!

It is never too late to start using a typewriter @Leila. There are plenty of typewriter groups on the Internet and there's quite a following. People in their early teens right up to 70 and beyond. Be warned though it can be addictive. Some people have over 30 typewriters in their collection.

Take care,
Michael

 

[Juan]

Typewriters = NOISY.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Typewriters = NOISY.

Not all typewriters are the same. One can use noise reducing earplugs if concerned.

 

[Mister Muso]

When I was 11 or 12 I used to enjoy typing letters to my great uncle George in Canada on my dad's old Olivetti typewriter. I was particularly excited to discover when I needed a new ribbon that I could get one with combined red and black ink, plus a white ink band that could be used to over-type my mistakes in the days before Tipp-Ex. I am five years younger than you Michael. Simpler times.

 

[Michael Leigh]

When I was 11 or 12 I used to enjoy typing letters to my great uncle George in Canada on my dad's old Olivetti typewriter. I was particularly excited to discover when I needed a new ribbon that I could get one with combined red and black ink, plus a white ink band that could be used to over-type my mistakes in the days before Tipp-Ex. I am five years younger than you Michael. Simpler times.

This is very interesting @Mister Muso, as some of the people at the typewriter group I visit also type letters to friends and relatives preferring not to send email or text. They say the typed letter gives a more personal touch. If this is the case, I suppose there's a valid argument for hand writing the letter using a ball point or fountain pen or even using a feather quill.

The Olivetti typewriter is regarded as a fine piece of machinery and good examples hold their price. If you ever decide on buying one, please make sure it has been serviced and a new platen and feed rollers have been fitted. The same goes for any typewriter. Most of these machines are over 50 years old. The rubber on the platen and feed rollers would have hardened over time. This results in the typewriter making considerable noise as the type bars strike the platen. Not desirable for most people and especially for those that have tinnitus.

@Juan is correct, the typewriter is noisy compared to the light tapping sound of a computer keyboard or laptop. There is a way around this by buying a machine that has been properly serviced and new rubber fitted to the platen and feed rollers. One can also use noise reducing earplugs if necessary. I was concerned about this and addressed it and now I'm quite comfortable using my typewriters.

The real issue though is hyperacusis. If a person is oversensitive to sound then it's best to try and get this treated as spikes in the tinnitus often become an ongoing problem. Some people try to deal with it by wearing earplugs and earmuffs, often overusing them which can make the situation worse. Not leaving their home in fear of outside sounds. This is not the way to live life and ultimately will make a person miserable.

Try and seek help for this is the only way to deal with it.

Michael

 

[Leila]

It is never too late to start using a typewriter @Leila. There are plenty of typewriter groups on the Internet and there's quite a following. People in their early teens right up to 70 and beyond. Be warned though it can be addictive. Some people have over 30 typewriters in their collection.

Since I do a LOT of writing / typing I'll probably stick with my keyboard. But you've really got me curious about our old typewriter. I'll be seeing my dad tomorrow and see if he'll let me have a look around the attic.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Since I do a LOT of writing / typing I'll probably stick with my keyboard. But you've really got me curious about our old typewriter. I'll be seeing my dad tomorrow and see if he'll let me have a look around the attic.

Please go to YouTube and type, why use a typewriter? You might be surprised by the amount of people who prefer using the typewriter, at least for the first draft. It's what I alluded to earlier about distractions and constantly back spacing and moving around text, instead of concentrating in putting words down on paper, then taking the time to go back over one's work and rewrite.

Woody Allen still uses his portable manual typewriter that he bought in his early 20s to write plays etc. He cuts and paste text from typed work using scissors. If you can, buy the DVD titled California Typewriters, featuring Tom Hanks and famous authors that still use typewriters. It's a really good DVD which I bought new off eBay.

If you are able to try a good typewriter that has been serviced then you will get the full experience.

Best of luck,
Michael

 

[Michael Leigh]

Today is typewriter day June 23rd to celebrate the written word. I have a modest collection of 4 typewriters. Two Hermes 3000 models pictured on this thread. A Voss rebranded Oliver typewriter built in 1960 and an Olympia Splendid 33, built 1964. Both fully serviced and beautiful machines to type on. Some members I meet on forums have over 30 typewriters in their collection. They are also celebrating the granting of a patent, to American inventor Christopher Latham Sholes, in 1868.

Michael