The Typewriter

Many people over the centuries have tried to make the process of transferring information to paper easier and more efficient. Typically these were very large and cumbersome beasts that were highly over-engineered to the point that they were much slower than traditional writing.  

In 1873, an American inventor by the name of Christopher Latham Sholes signed a contract with the Remington & Sons gunsmiths. This contract was the basis of operation to manufacture a machine that had the capability to type words at: 

“speeds far exceeding a pen”

The invention of the typewriter was monumental, it meant that people now could transfer ideas and information on to paper faster than ever! However, there were some downfalls to the original design. The first and major one was that it had only written in capital letters, and questions were raised about adding keys, but what was too many keys? Funny enough today we use the name: the “shift” button. Whereas when is was developed, the “shift” button literally shifted the typewriter to another cylinder with upper- or lowercase letters! 

In terms of communication the typewriter made drafting and copying letters, newspapers, and magazines much easier. On the other hand however, the generic fonts of the typewriters birthed a new generation of forgery, requiring the explicit need for signatures, stamps, and seals on the use of official documents.

- Nick Letts

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/technology/typewriter