Typewriter garden is a hit for Philadelphia business owner

source - BillyPenn.com / W. P. M. Typewriter Shop

Typewriter garden is a hit for Philadelphia business owner

The current covid crisis has forced business to adapt in ways I'm sure they could never have imagined, with many novel solutions being employed to ensure their survival and the safety of their customers.  Typewriter sales and repair shops are a rara avis in this world at the best of times and - unless you're a typospherean - perhaps not the type of emporia one might first think of as being affected by the pandemic.  But affected they certainly are, which is why this brilliant idea from a Philadelphia typewriter repairer is a stroke of genius and has rightly been embraced by interested parties both local and national.

The word "whimsical" might have been made for the concept of a typewriter garden and a delightful set-up it is too; yet the more one thinks of it, the more logical an idea it seems.  If one has the space and facilities to display a number of typewriters outside in socially-distanced surroundings, as Ms. Rogow has the good fortune to have, then it makes all kinds of sense.  Clearly the people of Mt. Airy - as well as many from further afield - agree and I am immensely pleased to see the W. P. M. Typewriter Shop enjoying such great success off the back of it.  Ms. Rogow's customer service and eminently sensible ideas on setting up the garden, the important part typewriters have to play in the creative processes and the detrimental effect of "smart" devices has no doubt gone a long way to making this marvellous brainchild of hers fly as well. 

source - BillyPenn.com / W. P. M. Typewriter Shop

I applaud Ms. Rogow's initiative and wish her continued success with her typewriter garden.  It's such a pity that it's 3,500 miles away otherwise I'd be over there like a shot.  It strikes me though that this should be inspiration to typosphereans everywhere.  Why not a socially-distanced, outdoor type-in?  Now that I think of it, type-ins in general seem to have died a death lately, even before Covid-19 came along.  Yet many of us have parks on our doorstep and the passion for typewriters certainly hasn't gone away from what I've seen (and indeed Ms. Rogow's experience is proof alone of this), so where are all the al fresco type-ins?  There's certainly a lot to type about and in these difficult times there has been much talk of going back to simpler living so the opportunity to immerse oneself in the joys of typewriting and disconnect from the world in a safe environment should surely be grasped with both hands.  Even if you haven't got a park nearby but are lucky enough to have your own outdoor space, why not grab your portable, go outside and take advantage of the summer weather (just imagine if covid had struck in the depths of winter!) to tap out a few thoughts in your own typewriter garden.

The digital generation rediscovers the magic of manual typewriters

source - MRS

The digital generation rediscovers the magic of manual typewriters

From across the Pond comes the first mainstream media coverage of an idea that is slowly gaining popularity across the United States and continental Europe since its introduction by several typewriter collectors - the type-in.  With any luck it may gain a foothold here in Britain too and I for one would certainly be up for it - it sounds like a wizard wheeze!  Sort of like an Internet cafe, only with typewriters.  What's not to like?!



The attraction is not just limited to vintage aficionados such as ourselves, either.  Judging by this particular article the so-called "digital generation" are practically lapping it up as well.  The typewriter shall not go quietly into the night, indeed!  It is more than encouraging to see the popularity of these meetings with young people who are more used to their laptops, mobile telephones and Blackcurrants (or whatever they're called) but who are obviously keen to explore the simple, tactile nature of the manual typewriter and the involvement it demands.  That alone provides a good deal of hope not only for the preservation of typing machines but also the actual enjoyment of using them.

My shamefully poor-condition 1955 production Imperial 66.   I keep promising myself I'll get it reconditioned.  Maybe someday as a birthday or Christmas present to myself.  Although even then I won't be carting it along to any type-ins (unless I've got an actual cart!) because it weighs a ton!

Of course the reaction of some young people, such as the first girl mentioned in the article, is amusing yet also befuddling.  I can still remember the time, a few years ago, when two of my nieces (then aged about 7 and 9) first laid eyes on my typewriter.  Their first question was "What does that do?" and for a moment it left me stuck as I suddenly realised I was being asked to explain something, which was so familiar to me, to two people who had never seen one before.  In the end I struggled to come up with some simplistic explanation along the lines of "it's like a computer, but the words are printed straight on to the paper".  Then, of course, they immediately wanted to try it for themselves!

It incidents like that, and occasions such as these type-ins, which prove that there is still an active interest - and what's more, a growing interest - in the good old manual typewriter and that therefore its future is assured.