oak tree with analog time stamp
Category Archives: Typewriters
Italian Food & Design
In keeping with tonight’s theme I typed this on my Lettera 22, probably the most acclaimed typewriter in history, design wise that is. What other typewriter could claim such accolades as being voted the best designed product of the century? The amazing thing is, when I was in architecture school, nobody ever mentioned this. All we read about, aside from buildings, were famous tables and chairs designed by famous architects. Well hello! The designer of this machine was an architect!!! OK, so if there are any students of architecture reading this, listen up – Marcello Nizzoli – check him out.
Then get yourself a Lettera 22, you will be super cool, trust me. You could get yourself a Necchi sewing machine too, but that wouldn’t be quite as cool. Unless you are studying costume or clothes design, in which case it’s probably super cool. I would suggest also a trench coat and crocs. That is super cool, especially combined with 20th century modern Italian classic design objects.
Now that you are yearning to eat this, I feel it is only fair to provide the recipes. The cake recipe is from “The Italian Baker” by Carol Field – a fantastic cookbook. Oh, and if you are rushing out to get a Lettera 22, remember to get one that has the round keypads only. Square keypads are not original, and are a no-no design wise, IMHO.
Filed under Cooking, Typewriters
I’m a Stranger in Your Town
trench coat, guitar and a typewriter
Filed under Books and Short Stories, Guitars, Painting, Typewriters
We’d Like to Ask You Some Questions
OLIVETTI STUDIO 44 - OUR LATEST "ACQUISITION"
Filed under Books and Short Stories, Typewriters, Uncategorized
Random Babbles Here
Great Blue Heron
WARNING: WHAT FOLLOWS IS NOTHING LIKE THE ABOVE
(FOR TYPOSPHERIANS MOSTLY)
Swiss watch with German typewriter
note: both typewriter and watch say ‘Deluxe’ on them!
Alanbury 'Deluxe' wrist watch
homemade loupe from an old Pentax
Isn’t this ‘Deluxe’ too?
Filed under Cameras, Poetry, Thrift shop finds, Typewriters
Typewriters and More
Eaton's Prestige c. 1958 (Smith Corona Silent Super)
DETAIL OF THE ACHIEVER (SEARS - BROTHER)
A close inspection of the mechanics of this machine reveals some interesting engineering. There are variations in the lengths of the key levers, spring hooks, and ribbon lifters which would seem to balance the forces and distances traveled by each key. This is unlike most other machines that I have, where all the levers and rods are strictly proportional to their distance from the centre of the basket. Another feature is a lever which opens the ribbon vibrator so that the ribbon does not require threading into the usual contraptions on either side.
LEVER VARIETY ON ACHIEVER
Little Brother
The small Brother is very portable, all metal, and works well. It’s not impressive from an aesthetic standpoint, but it feels good and makes very nice clean type. If you want aesthetics then look no further than the Olivetti Lettera 22. This machine is a designers dream. There is beauty in every little part of it, including the arms of the paper bail, and the fact that they choose to put chromed rollers on it instead of rubber ones. Not only does it look great, but it has amazing touch, and types very softly with no sharp whacking sounds or tinny vibrations. Typing on this is like the feeling you get when you slam the door of a Mercedes.
EPHEMERA DEPARTMENT
I discovered an advert for the Eaton’s typewriter from the Montreal Gazette c. 1959. As a native Montrealer it was funny that this was the only ad that my searches turned up. When I was a university student I once worked at Eaton’s, selling…..(not typewriters) … luggage.
Notice in the ad they include a touch typing course on records. Well guess what I found:
SMITH CORONA TOUCH TYPING COURSE
Another find was a box of ‘Eaton’s Corrasable Onion Skin’. Same name but different companies.
EATON'S WITH EATON'S
One last detail from the Sears Achiever – the gear shift! Actually the ribbon vibrator/holder release lever. Unofficially that is – I have no idea what they called this, but that’s what it does.
THE RIBBO-VIBRO-LEASER LEVER
Filed under Thrift shop finds, Typewriters
nathanguitars 