A typewriter is a mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic device with a set of "keys" that, when pressed, cause characters to be printed on a document, usually paper.
In the late 19th and the start of the 20th century a person who operated such a device was sometimes also called a typewriter but it then became more common to call the person a typist.
Though now the typewriter may seem rather dated, it was once very useful. A typewriter has a keyboard, with keys for each of the characters in its font. The method by which the typewriter actually marks the paper now varies as greatly as types of computer printers do, but until the end of the 20th century was by the impact of a metal (or, later, metallized plastic) type element against an "inked" ribbon which caused ink to be deposited on the paper. When multiple copies are necessary, carbon paper is inserted between multiple pieces of paper, so the type impression is transmitted to multiple layers of paper.
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Antique Typewriter Collecting - Anthony Casillo provides information on collectable typewriters, including pictorial gallery of early typewriters.
Meta Description: [ Antique Typewriter Collector's Web Site, featuring Typewriter Memory Lane. ]
Carbons to Computers - The Changing American Office - Smithsonian Institution exhibit features museum display, timeline, and resources for further study.
Chuck and Rich's Antique Typewriter Website and Museum - Virtual museum of antique typewriters, including toy, index, and special purpose typewriters. Also has information on selected early office items.
Early Typewriter Collectors Association - Information about ETCetera, the Journal of the Early Typewriter Collectors Association.
Meta Description: [ antique typewriter newsletter ]
How to Collect Antique Typewriters - Article by Richard Polt includes typewriter terminology, information on desirability and price, and organizations and newsletter.
Lady Typewriter - Features an antique typewriter virtual library and museum, a timeline, and news for collectors.
Meta Description: [ LADY TYPEWRITER featuring a virtual museum of antique typewriters, a typewriter timeline, a virtual library and type-basket, all based on a personal collection of antique typewriters, ribbon tins, typing sundries and associated ephemera ]
Mechanista - Antique typewriters, calculation devices, and other old machines of grace; photographs; collecting resources.
Meta Description: [ Antique machines of grace and beauty ]
Mike Campbell's Antique Typewriters - Information on collecting typewriters. Includes a gallery, restoration tips, and resources.
Portable Typewriters - An illustrated history of early typewriters by typewriter collector Richard Milton.
Meta Description: [ typewriter,portable typewriter,antique typewriter,vintage typewriter,collectable typewriter,antique portable typewriter, collectable portable typewriter, history of typewriter, history of portable typewriter,typewriter museum,virtual typewriter museum ]
Shannon L. Johnson Typewriter Collection - Contains tributes to select early typewriter companies and featured machines form Mr. Johnson's collection. And sources for hard to find supplies for antique typewriters.
Meta Description: [ The opening page to S. L. Johnson Typewriter Collection, with special tributes to the Corona Typewriter Company of Groton, NY and The Oliver Typewriter Company or Woodstock and Chicago, Il. Also featuring partial lists of the collection. ]
Swedish Typewriter Page - Includes a brief history of typewriters, examples of early models, and common questions about collecting. In Swedish and English.
The Antique Typewriter Down Under Connection - Australian site detailing the history of typewriters and providing a forum for discussion.
Meta Description: [ Antique Typewriter Collecting and discussion Forum for antique typewriters. Buy, sell, swap, trade or ask questions. Sydney Australia. ]
The Classic Typewriter Page - Offers a wealth of information for antique typewriter collectors, including history, collecting and care tips, and typewriter humor.
Meta Description: [ All about antique typewriters: history, collecting, restoring, and more. ]
The Typewriter Exchange - History of office tools and the people that were responsible for the development of the scientific workplace. Articles on typewriters, adding machines, check writers, ribbon tins, staplers, and pencil sharpeners.
Meta Description: [ Newsletter for the Typewriter
Collector, Antique Typewriters presented by the
Typewriter Exchange, featuring an antique typewriter photo gallery. ]
The Typewriter Restoration Site - Extensive information on the restoration of antique typewriters. Includes a virtual museum and a parts exchange.
Typewriter Serial Number Database - Date your old/ antique typewriter, by using the serial number listings database. Includes additional information for collectors.
Meta Description: [ Most comprehensive online database for typewriter serial numbers - Grösste Online Datenbank für Schreibmaschinen Seriennummern ]
Virtual Typewriter Museum - Extensive virtual museum dedicated to the early history of the typewriter.
Meta Description: [ A virtual museum dedicated to the early inventors of the typewriter. The museum contains machines, photo archives, articles on history and related collectibles. The museum is the collective effort of private collectors in three continents. ]
Yesterday's Office - Antique office equipment collecting. Features articles on antique typewriters.
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