Evolution of the Typewriter: Write Your Heart Out

The typewriter pictured above was developed in the 1980's, but remains a popular model today. It can be purchased for $190 on Amazon.

The typewriter began its journey in 1868 when Christopher L. Sholes patented the first prototype on the 23rd of June. This was the most basic form of the machine we recognize today, and it would go through several makeovers before coming into its own. 

The next notable jump in the typewriter’s evolution was the development of the electric typewriter by Edison. In addition to increasing the effectiveness of the machine, he rearranged the keys, straightening the rows and making them easier to use and a little bit more difficult to jam. The electric typewriter officially made its debut in 1872. Then in 1874, the original patent was sold and brought to E. Remington and Sons, a gun manufacturer, in the hopes of mass producing the original design. Only around 5,000 units were ever sold from this first run, but an introduction of this scale put the typewriter on the minds of everyone looking for more efficient methods of writing quickly. 

For the next several decades development stagnated, as several different models debuted and fell out of favor due to one flaw or another. The next event of note was the development of the Fox Portable in 1917, which boasted a collapsible carriage and became the first machine with a design that made it feasible to transport. The company was sued for design theft, but the idea of making the device portable stuck around. In 1933 the Electromatic typewriter was released, eliminating the problem of uneven pressure and difficult to press keys by introducing keys that require less pressure, leading to more uniform typing. 

In 1964 the magnetic tape typewriter was introduced, the first reusable storage device that allowed for correction without starting the entire document over. This device was crucial to the conception of word processing software as we think of it today.

Today typewriters are still used, though computers are vastly more popular and efficient. They are also quite expensive, serving more as a novelty to people seeking a certain aesthetic than a feasible writing tool.

Sources:https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/119673