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Standard Typewriters » Underwood No. 5 » Today 17:31:21 |
Standard Typewriters » Underwood No. 5 » Today 15:19:38 |
I certainly don't have the background that I see many of you have. I've never been involved in the manufacture or repair of typewriters. However, I've typed nearly all my life. I started out typing on an old Underwood No. 5 when I was probably 11 years old. When I took typing in school, electric typewriters were just hitting the scene, and my typing class only had two electric typewriters (with the correcting tape built in). I was not lucky enough to end up with one of the "fancy" electric ones, so I learned correct typing skills on a non-electric typewriter. When I was in my senior year of high school, I entered a program called S.O.O. (supervised office occupations). It was very similar to C.O.E., but you were guaranteed an office job. I ended up working in the office of a local elementary school and worked on a regular typewriter. That was the last time I worked on a regular typewriter. When I graduated (age 17), I was lucky enough to land a secretarial position at a law firm and at that point mag card machines were state-of-the-art. From there we went to computers at every other place I ever worked, and my entire living has been made by typing on various keyboards. My heart is still back with that old Underwood No. 5. Somehow we let that get away from us, and I'm now looking for a good, working Underwood No. 5. I do have a couple questions though that many of you may be able to answer. I know ours had black keys with white letters. Looking on eBay or anywhere else, I see that some that look almost exactly like ours have white keys with black lettering. Did they manufacture black and white keys during the same time period? Is one older than the other? Is one more valuable than the other? Ours also had the toggle on the upper right where you could toggle between black or red ribbon, so I'm looking for that. I'd like to find one as close to what we had as I can find. Does anyone in my general area (KCMO) have one they're wanting to sell? I'm watching two right now
…Portable Typewriters » Brother Valiant (JP-1) - In Coming... » Today 09:52:26 |
Rob,
I sure like the simplicity of the wire-loop paper support and how it hinges in the slots of the back panel metal.
Not sure if I will keep it or move it on. Depends if I take a liking to typing on it.
.
Portable Typewriters » 1960 Royal Futura 800 - In Coming... » Today 07:57:02 |
If anyone is looking for a possible parts-machine. Here is a nice one on Boise-ID Facebook marketplace for only $ 10 asking.
Better yet if the loose carriage can be put right.
Type Talk » New Member Thread » Today 01:52:34 |
Thank you for your story.
Portable Typewriters » Brother Valiant (JP-1) - In Coming... » Today 00:17:33 |
Cool. Looking forward to your report.
The Wizard TrueType is one of the few remaing typewriters I'm still hunting for - mostly for the name (I work on TrueType fonts in my day job). I believe it's this very model of Brother, rebadged. Hard to find them without the name plate cracked on the sides where the screws hold it in.
Type Talk » New Member Thread » Today 00:11:24 |
Thank you Rainer for your story and inside view of history. I think it's marvellous that you have found a typewriter that you may have helped build. Few people can make that claim. Welcome!
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