Writing Machines
“I am trying get the hang of this new fangled writing machine, but am not making a shining success of it.
So said Mark Twain, reputed to be the world’s first author to use a typewriter. The concept of a writing machine first appeared in 1714, but it wasn’t until the 1870′s that typewriters became a viable option for the public. Remington, a large manufacturer know for its guns and sewing machines, took on the production of the “Type Writer”.
At first, the typewriter could only type capital letters. But improvements came as fast as the quick brown fox. Lower case letters were soon added, and the familiar hand carriage return replaced a foot treadle. The QWERTY keyboard pattern was developed in the early years and never changed.
Thomas Edison opined that electricity would one day power the typewriter. His prediction took quite a few years to come true. The IBM Selectric electric typewriter swept into offices in the 1960′s and revolutionized typing and the life of secretaries. I save my babysitting money and paid $200 for an IBM portable electric typewriter in the 1970′s. And remember typing class in high school? The IBM Selectric II introduced “Lift Off” correction tape. We had achieved the cutting edge of word production.
Then came those guys in their parents’ garage who had a different dream, personal computers named after a fruit. I haven’t seen my portable electric typewriter in years. I write books on a laptop, although an informal survey of writers I know surprised me. Many prefer to think and create on paper, with a pen!
My world has been revolutionized by Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Go Pro, iPad, iPhone, iWatch, Kindle and email. A few days ago I heard about Periscope, something new to try. I am sure I sound like an old person, but life is wondrous after years of “hunt and peck”!
So said Mark Twain, reputed to be the world’s first author to use a typewriter. The concept of a writing machine first appeared in 1714, but it wasn’t until the 1870′s that typewriters became a viable option for the public. Remington, a large manufacturer know for its guns and sewing machines, took on the production of the “Type Writer”.
At first, the typewriter could only type capital letters. But improvements came as fast as the quick brown fox. Lower case letters were soon added, and the familiar hand carriage return replaced a foot treadle. The QWERTY keyboard pattern was developed in the early years and never changed.
Thomas Edison opined that electricity would one day power the typewriter. His prediction took quite a few years to come true. The IBM Selectric electric typewriter swept into offices in the 1960′s and revolutionized typing and the life of secretaries. I save my babysitting money and paid $200 for an IBM portable electric typewriter in the 1970′s. And remember typing class in high school? The IBM Selectric II introduced “Lift Off” correction tape. We had achieved the cutting edge of word production.
Then came those guys in their parents’ garage who had a different dream, personal computers named after a fruit. I haven’t seen my portable electric typewriter in years. I write books on a laptop, although an informal survey of writers I know surprised me. Many prefer to think and create on paper, with a pen!
My world has been revolutionized by Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Go Pro, iPad, iPhone, iWatch, Kindle and email. A few days ago I heard about Periscope, something new to try. I am sure I sound like an old person, but life is wondrous after years of “hunt and peck”!
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JenaBooks
Jena is a writer of humorous novels, a reader and reviewer, a book promoter, and beta read. Yes she’s a book lover. Her three book series, The Golden Age of Charli mixes humor, romance, and mystery wi
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