Ransom notes

I use mine to work on my novella at starbucks

I have my mom’s old Smith Corona electric typewriter, possibly from the 1960s, but I haven’t researched it deeply yet. It comes with a hard suitcase with a 3-digit combination lock, and a novelty dust cover that says “Typewriter!” in a bold font. My mom died in 1987, and I just took it. Last used in 1998 when my mother in law borrowed it, and it caused a fight because she died unexpectedly and her estate executor wanted to sell it, not believing it to be mine. He was under the impression it was an antique he could get good money for, but I stole it back. Last appraisal was mid 2000s, and in new working condition, I could MAYBE sell it for $30. But it’s one of the few scant possessions I have of my moms, so I keep it.

I own an IBM Selectic II, dual pitch, with the extra wide platen. I bought it, spent a long time diagnosing it and cleaning it before it ran properly.

I use it for one specific thing: letter writing. I’m an Aspie and can’t always convey my emotions and thoughts properly, but I sure as hell can write. But not actually write with a pen, my handwriting is horrible.

When I want to say something heartfelt to someone else, I break out nice stationary, high quality paper, and one of my good typing elements, and I type it. I do have corrective tape, but my typing accuracy is pretty low, so I have to slow down. That extra effort is noticable: the type is sharper and blacker than any inkjet or laser printer, the paper is heavyweight and feels good in the hand… It almost commands respect from the reader, to pay attention to something like that.

I used it most recently to write my mother, to thank her for some things she helped me with, but didn’t turn out. I knew she felt her effort was wasted or misplaced, buty words of reassurance didn’t reach her. So I wrote a letter and sent it her way. Even though we’re still in the same town, I mailed it. That made a difference to her, and I know she held onto it… Better than any email, or throwaway text message, and imo better than any printed document composed neatly with a word processor.

I think it’s something special.

I have a Rheinmetall one from around the 30s that only half-works. It spends most of its days in the attic and only gets brought out to show people once in a while. I used it as a prop for a short film once, so I guess that was my favorite use for it.

I had a great old typewriter I’d found at a yard sale decades ago and which was purely decorative, but my absolute favorite use for it was when I gave it to an old friend who had just helped me move apartments. That person was really happy to have it, and being able to gift it with gratitude fulfilled me far more than owning the thing ever had.

I got mine as a joke. Grandma gave it to me I repaired it and then made few asignments.

But I used it few times just as curiosity. Lab protocols cant be easily writen on it. With PC you have all these nice tools like ChemSketch, leaving space and drawing by hand is inconvinient.

Writing.

I have an underwood typewriter that I fixed and used for the guest book at my wedding. It sits as a decoration now as there’s not much use to it.

I do love that font though.

we have an old manual that’s used occasionally as a prop or ‘instrument’ in local productions and concerts by schools, community groups, etc.

If I remember right I have a royal quiet deluxe, I use it for notes I don’t want a digital record of like medical or other personal notes. Also every once in a while I’ll make a wall decoration, people seem to love them.

My mum owns an old Olivetti that seems to be a collectors item nowadays. Our mutual favourite (and only) use for it is to notify each other when we stumble across one for sale and how much it goes for. They seem to be in the area of €80-150 so not quite the family heirloom.

Edit; Oh wow. Haven’t checked prices for few years. Seems they are selling tenfold now.

How is writing something 9n a typewriter quicker than your phone?