New "typewriter" keyboard

Spotted on eBay. Made in China.

Columbus, OH type-in on December 15

More info here.

Typewriter artist Arno Beck at work

Arno Beck Typewriter Drawing from Arno Beck on Vimeo.

Lady Gaga is interviewed with her typewriter

Lin-Manuel Miranda getting some typewriter inspiration

We'll forgive him for not using an actual Underwood.



From the PBS documentary "Hamilton's America."

Calling All Brigadiers

NaNoWriMo 2016 is coming up, and the Typewriter Brigade is slinking out of hibernation in true chaotic fashion. This year's topic is set up here in the "Technology" forum (irony noted.)

If you've ever wanted to try your hand at writing a novel, NaNoWriMo is a high-velocity, low-expectations way to jump in. As you might guess, the Typewriter Brigade is a subculture unto itself, with many familiar names from around the Typosphere, plus a few new crazies that manage to get ensnared by our wit, charm, and tiny helpful rhinosceri.



We can't promise fame, fortune, or (alas) a future living easy on royalty payments, but we can provide a month of entertainment, amusement, and convivial companionship as we all attempt to squeeze 50,000 words of vaguely readable fiction out of our brains in 30 all-too-short days.
 



Check your machines carefully: you might just have a rhino of your own that wants to come out and play this November...

Kickstarter project for a typewriter calendar

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1219890525/2017-typewriter-calendar

Typewriters, snail mail, and a scoop

— http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/03/insider/the-time-i-found-donald-trumps-tax-records-in-my-mailbox.html

A typewriter creates a pop hit

Lady Gaga wrote her new single on a typewriter.



The story is here:
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37316663#pt0-905750

London type-in July 24

Come to the London type-in!

Sunday, 24th of July
Noon until ?
Hoop & Toy pub
34 Thurloe Place
Kensington SW7 2HQ London

People can bring their own typewriters or use machines that others will bring. There will be typing, chatting, eating, drinking, and spontaneous activities. I will bring a copy of The Typewriter Revolution for people to peruse, and would be glad to sign any copies people may wish to bring. (I will not have any for sale.) Please spread the word by all means available. Thanks to Piotr Trumpiel for the graphic! —Richard Polt

San Francisco type-in July 8

7th Phoenix Type-In

Digitally detox at the 7th Phoenix Type-In at Changing Hand's First Draft in Phoenix on August 20th, from 1-4pm. There will be typewriters, good people, and excellent food and drink. All are welcome.

Happy International/World/Galactic Typewriter Day/Days/Week!

It's Typewriter Day! Plenty of activities are on deck for the weekend, but if you've got the time and inclination, pull out a machine and celebrate today.

I packed up the Corsair and some paper in a messenger bag last night and hauled them up a hill to a local park this morning, for a typecast to come. Pro tip: Corsairs are light, but still not terribly light when packed in a messenger bag with paper and hauled up a hill. I'm accepting any and all donations of a Groma Kolibri for next year's hike. (QWERTY if you've got it.)



How are you marking the day/days/week?

Typewriter Day 2016... and beyond!

Just a reminder to all the folks out there in the Typosphere that June 23 is our quasi-official celebration of International Typewriter Day. I feel like there's a lot more going on this year than in years past. I see lots of events, type-ins, and all kinds of impromptu communities forming around this magical machine, many posted here.

How are you planning to celebrate this year? For 2015, I hauled my trusty plastic SCM Corsair over to the local community college and played dodge-em with the leafblower brigade as I bashed out a chunk of typographic doggerel.

I'm aiming for something more peaceful and scenic this year:



With all the recent type-ins and gatherings, maybe we need to extend the scope a bit. International Typewriter Week, anyone? Me and the Corsair are up for it.

Grand Rapids, Michigan type-in

Typewriter Arts Festival, Greenville, NY, June 11

First Annual Typewriter Arts Festival to be Held at The Greenville Drive-In Saturday, June 11

[Greenville, NY] The Greenville Drive-In presents The First Annual Typewriter Arts Festival Saturday, June 11 beginning at 6:30pm. Festival highlights include a live performance with The Boston Typewriter Orchestra, screening of the documentary The Typewriter (in the 21st Century), a display by local artists using the medium of typewriters, and a display of vintage typewriters. The Greenville Drive-In is located at 10700 Route 32 in Greenville, NY.

Admission to the Typewriter Arts Festival is $10. Tickets are available on the website www.drivein32.com and at the door.  For further information, please email info@drivein32.com or call (917) 755-2452.

First Annual Typewriter Arts Festival Schedule of Events

6:30pm Typewriter-Themed Art Exhibit in the Beer Garden

The Greenville Drive-In and the Greene County Council on the Arts are partnering to create a one-day art show focusing on the medium of typewriters. Images will be projected on the big screen, as well as on display in person. New Baltimore, NY’s Sister Salvage will host a collection of vintage machines for display and sale. Guests are encouraged to bring typewriters and join the “type-in.”

7:00-8:30pm Live Performance with The Boston Typewriter Orchestra

The Boston Typewriter Orchestra is a collective endeavor that engages in rhythmic typewriter manipulation combined with elements of performance, comedy and satire. Their performance at the Greenville Drive-In will be their first in the Catskills.

8:45-9:45pm Screening of “The Typewriter (in the 21st Century)”

In May of 2010, filmmakers Christopher Lockett and Gary Nicholson read an article on Wired.com about the last generation of typewriter repairmen. Casual conversation over coffee turned toward the inevitable conclusion—a great documentary. This is the first local screening of this fascinating film.

10:00-11:50pm Screening of the French romantic comedy “Populaire”

A typewriter plays a key role in the storyline of the second film in this double feature.

Venice, CA type-in celebrates Fahrenheit 451 on June 25

More information here.

Typewriters thriving in Palm Springs

“It seems that around the country, people are staging type-ins where they bring the typewriters, share them and talk about what they are doing. We thought it might be fun and interesting to try here.”

Read the story here.

A typecast from Sweden

Some typed thoughts from Pasi Vuoluterä of Mariestad, Sweden. Pasi is considering starting a typecast blog.

Writer's Block

Or... "A bunch of actors getting in the way of a nicely lit typewriter shot."

Enjoy!

Writer's Block - A Supercut from Ben Watts on Vimeo.

Belfast, Maine type-out May 7

Bring your own typewriter for a community “Type Out” with Tom Furrier, of Cambridge, MA. Weather permitting, we will be typing outdoors at the Belfast Co-op. Tom Furrier is the owner of Cambridge Typewriter Co., Inc. in Arlington, MA. He has been repairing and selling typewriters for 36 years.

More information here.

Oxford (New York State) type-in May 14

Tucson, AZ type-in plans

Tucson, Arizona area typists: don't miss the planning for an upcoming type-in, probably in June. https://www.facebook.com/groups/888525401256277/

Boston type-in March 19

Support the Typosphere

Good news! 

We have blown past the 5 year renewal and have secured enough money to fund the Typosphere.net domain for the next 10 or 15 years! (I have to see if we can renew for 15 years.) Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. Typosphere.net will live on.

These kind people have donated. Mike is working on a special place to recognize what you have done.

William L.	Bill M.
Gordon T.	Peter W.
Richard P.	Stephanie L. W.
Sheila C.	Laura B.
Daniel J.	Martha L.
Rodja R. P.	Mike C.
Rob B.	Gabriel B.
Loom Web Design	Greek Drama Media
N.J. H.	Sylvia D.
Steven K.	Natalie T.

---

Hello Typospherians. I am reaching out to you for help.

Typosphere.net net is the front page of the typewriter internet. It's been the place to post type-in notices, share stories about typewriters in the news, review new typewriter books, and present the typewriter-loving world. Now, Typosphere.net needs your help.

The Typosphere.net domain name needs to be renewed and I would love to get it registered for the next five years. The cost to do that would be $100. If everyone who has loved and supported this great site could chip in a few clams we could get this domain locked down for the next half-decade.

Your support means everyone can keep posting type-in updates, typewriters in the news, book reviews, and launches for the next five years. If you are interested in helping you can follow this link to my Paypal.me link. I will keep a detailed record of who donates and make sure that you get special recognition.

Please consider helping raise the money for this small goal.

Thanks,
Ryan
(http://www.magicmargin.net)

Bob Dylan types

Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/arts/music/bob-dylans-secret-archive.html

Palm Springs type-in March 19

UPDATE:

"Previously I had announced that Jack Lacy was having a "Type-In"
at his store in Palm Springs on February 20th, but the date has been moved
to March 19th. Jack has been in the family business all his life, his
grandfather having opened a typewriter repair shop in Los Angeles in 1919.
He will have a number of vintage machines on display and for sale, and
everyone is invited to bring his or her portable and type away, or just
exchange stories. Jack has some good ones to tell, along with photographs of
his grandfather in his Los Angeles store. And he'll be serving hot dogs and
hamburgers. The location is as follows: 

Central Printer Resources

4599 E Ramon Rd

Palm Springs CA 92264

760-778-4444

You can also email Jack at jacklacy@lasrink.com for further information, and
to get on the email update list. He'd especially like to know how many are
coming. Should be a really fun event! 

Dick Sanders"

***

Earlier message:

From a correspondent:

Central Printer Resources, 4599 E Ramon Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264, 760-778-4444. 

"I visited this shop and the owner, Jack Lacy, has been in the typewriter business his entire career and loves to talk typewriters. He still repairs old typewriters and he has a number of refurbished vintage machines for sale. He told me his grandfather, Clifford Sanders, opened a typewriter repair shop in Los Angeles in 1919. His father and uncle were in the business, too, and not only has he had a shop for many years, but also worked for SCM for many years. He knows his machines and loves helping those who love old typewriters. On February 20th he's having a "type-in" at his store, all welcome to bring their machines, share stories, and type, while enjoying refreshments. He'll be telling some stories from the old days. He also has an experienced typewriter technician on site, George Torres, and he also has a source in Los Angeles for fabricating parts that are no longer availability. Looks to be a good resource."

Typewriters in alternate history

The Amazon series The Man in the High Castle, about America under Axis rule, includes lots of typewriters deployed by totalitarian bureaucrats. In this scene, secretaries are at work in the offices of the Japanese authority in San Francisco. Spotted in other scenes: Royal FP and IBM Selectric.

New England Antiques Journal

I have three printed copies of this magazine with a story by me (or my alter ego Richard Polk) on the typewriter revolution, and an editorial on the topic. I'll send them free to the first three people with US addresses who request them. Write to polt@xavier.edu.

Michigan type-ins January 15 and 16

More information on Ann Arbor

More information on Kalamazoo