Mechanical Logic

Post-Script: Typewriters are not the only example of complex mechanical intricacy in operation, as the mid-20th century automobile was also very mechanical (though cars have become, in recent years, much more electronic in function). But the example of the manual typewriter serves to remind us that our civilization seems to have lost the will to create complex mechanical contraptions with a high-degree of fine engineering and build-quality; unless one counts the Leica M-series rangefinder as one example (and whose high-end price might well explain the phenomenon).

Along with losing our will to manufacture such devices, our popular culture seems to also have forgotten that they ever existed, which further reinforces the importance of the Typosphere and manual typewriter revival movement to our culture.

Here's the SF Chronicle article mentioned above.

Typecast via Olympia SM9 De Luxe, photo via Lumix G5.