The Joy of Typewriter Tinkering

Post-Script: I like the idea that typewriters provide such an enjoyable user experience, engaging both the physical senses as well as one's intellect, while also providing opportunity for exploring their inner workings and discovering their hidden design features. And, they're practical; you can actually write with them!

I didn't take an opportunity to photograph the Hermes Baby mentioned above, but it's virtually identical in appearance to my Rocket. I did type an earlier version of this article using the Baby and a combination red/black ribbon, but I wasn't entirely happy with the two-tone, red/black effect to the imprint, since this machine lacks a ribbon height adjustment and therefore uses the middle of the ribbon; I've subsequently installed an all-black ribbon.

The machine also has a European keyboard with accent marks, and lacks both the dollar and pound currency symbols; which led my friend and I to joke that this was an anti-capitalist machine, a Bernie-typer. Long live the revolution!

Typecast via Olivetti Lettera 22 with British keyboard.

TW Video Series Episode 5: Shopping for Typewriters

Post-Script: Here's a shot of the Hermes 3000 (used for this typecast) I took last week with the little Fujifilm X10 using onboard fill-flash. I like the late-afternoon sun illuminating our patio room, while the backyard can clearly be seen through the windows, including the metal raven yard ornament, which serves to keep the pigeons away. I'm really liking this typewriter the more I use it, and the looks and styling are growing on me.


If you have any suggestions for future episodes in this series, either for content or setting, please let me know in the comments below. Thanks for watching.

PPS: Here's a link to Field Notes brand notebooks.