Anything made today or recently is going to be trash. They made millions of these things in the heyday and many are still in surprisingly great working order after some basic cleaning.
Typewriter Revolution
Typewriter Revolution
This is a community inspired by Richard Polt's The Typewriter Revolution. Let's discuss and share about typewriters, typewritten works, and celebrate these marvelous old pieces of technology.
See also:
- The Classic Typewriter Page
- The Typewriter Database
- The Typosphere
- 3D Typewriter Parts
- J.J. Short Platens & Rollers
- Austin Typewriter, Ink.
good to know, thanks! what manufacturers/models are preferred? or anything in a given date range?
It's quite the rabbit hole with different answers depending on your preferences and style. Many of the major brands exemplify a sort of peak in industrial manufacturing that is not seen in today's mass produced appliances. I especially like Olympia from the 50s, 60s, and 70s which are Germany made and blend excellent build quality with a simple mid-century modern sorta style. Some people enjoy really old stuff like an Underwood and others prefer fancy electric machines like the IBM Selectric. You can't go wrong with brands like Smith-Corona, Remington, Royal, Hermes, or Olivetti though there's many more to discover!
sweet, thanks for the response!
Of course. Lots of info linked in the side bar too.
There is a "Retro" typewriter manufactured in recent years that you might see being sold online or in book shops. Sometimes branded "We Are Memory Keepers" and sold under other labels. It's junk and has been well reviewed by people who know typewriters. See here