In Praise of the Typewriter

In May 2010, a New York writer named Skye Ferrante learned that he was welcome to remain a member of The Writers Room — a quiet, communal space for writers willing to pay a $1,400 annual fee — as long as he gave up his 1929 Royal typewriter. “No one wants to work around the clacking of a typewriter,” the Writers Room’s executive director told the New York Daily News. Ferrante was offered the choice of switching to a laptop, or leaving the Writers Room; he chose to leave. In honor of Ferrante’s stand, enjoy a tribute to the funky old machines.

Above: William Faulkner works on a screenplay at his typewriter on a balcony, Hollywood, California, early 1940s.

(Via LIFE)

An old advertising brochure for the German “Pelikan” company.

It reads: “Day in, day out, millions of secretaries around the world fulfill their responsible task. They are their bosses’ right hand. They take up stenographs, write letters, make phone calls and prepare conferences. But whatever they have to accomplish, they need good tools for it.”

 (by allerleirau)