1. DESIGN
Each typewriter has its own design. The 2 most popular categories of typewriters are:
♦ STANDARD (large office models) and
♦ PORTABLE (small models, usually with suitcase).
There are also older models of non-standard typewriters, such as index ones. If you look at typewriters, you will discover the inventive design of each brand. Over time, you will be able to find out what type of typewriter suits your personal needs.
2. FUNCTIONS
Each typewriter has its own functions. Depending on the reason why it was designed, they all have interesting functions and some unique ones, which can help you a lot to write more efficiently. Some typewriters have the function of changing the color of the ink ribbon, and even the function of touch control. Other machines were designed for accounting, with special keys for mathematical operations. Many typewriters have 3 steps for changing the space between rows, while others have 6, 2 or even one. Pay attention to each model to learn its functions.
3. BRAND
Each typewriter was made by a brand. There are a lot of brands that have made the most incredible typewriters in history. Some of the most popular brands mentioned today are:
♦ American: REMINGTON, ROYAL, UNDERWOOD, L.C.SMITH (CORONA);
♦ German: TRIUMPH, CONTINENTAL, OLYMPIA, ADLER, MERCEDES, TORPEDO, URANIA, ERIKA;
♦ Others: HERMES(Swiss), HALDA(Swiss), Olivetti (Italian), Facit (Swiss), Jappi (French), Imperial (English);
And the list goes on, because there are a lot of other brands that have made typewriters.
4. YEAR OF MANUFACTURE
Each typewriter has its own number engraved, showing the year of production of that model's series. There are websites where you can find a lot of information about typewriters. For example: Typewriter Database, where you can find the year of production of a typewriter by serial number.
5. COLORS
Most old typewriters have the classic color glossy black or matte black. There were also limited editions, where typewriters had other colors such as red, green, yellow or purple (Royal P, for example, stands out for its multitude of shades). Post-war, typewriter models began to be manufactured in a more compact form and in various colors and shades.
6. LANGUAGE
Most typewriters have English (QWERTY), German (QWERTZ) or French (AZERTY) keyboards. Typewriters with keyboards in other languages have been adapted to have special characters by replacement and welding. Old typewriters with Romanian keyboards have been modified at some point to have diacritics. However, due to communism in Romania, only certain party members or people supported by the regime had the right to own a typewriter, and only with authorization. Those who were authorized to own a typewriter were required to register the typewriter impressions periodically. That is why typewriters with a Romanian keyboard are rarer, but not necessarily more valuable than the others.
7. SIZE AND WEIGHT
Standard models are usually heavier and larger than portable ones. The weight and size of typewriters can vary depending on a number of factors such as materials of manufacture, components, functions, levers or special buttons, etc. Following a chronology of the materials used for the construction of typewriters we can see that interwar typewriters were generally made of cast iron. From the 1940s, typewriters began to be made of iron (to be more durable, however, they were much heavier). After the 50s, typewriters had a duralumin body, in order to be lighter but also durable at the same time. After the 1970s, the typewriter body began to be made mostly of hard plastic, which was much lighter than any metal and probably easier to make.
8. HISTORY
Since 1873, when the first successful typewriter was marketed by Remington, hundreds of typewriters have been manufactured each year, with new models appearing almost every year. Typewriters were very successful and almost everyone could have a typewriter. In 1970, the popularity of typewriters began to decline with the apparition of personal computers. For a more detailed history, go HERE.
9. WHO USED THE TYPEWRITER
Practically all the literate people used a typewriter in the first half of the twentieth century, its use extending as far back as the 1990s.
Also, a lot of historical personalities we admire have used typewriters to write and transcribe their works. Even some contemporary personalities use typewriters to carry out their work. A list of 20 personalities and their typewriters can be found HERE.
10. FONTS
Each typewriter has its own different fonts and font sizes. In general, each brand has its own font. There are also typewriter brands that have multiple fonts depending on the model. There are typewriters with special fonts such as GOTHIC, TECHNO, CALLIGRAPHIC etc. These typewriters are very rare and hard to find. Some typewriters, for example, have italic fonts and others have interchangeable fonts.
11. SPEED
In terms of speed, the opinions of those who use typewriters are divided. From our own experience, the fastest typewriters are those of the '40s and' 60s, such as the Olympia SG1. After all, it's more a matter of taste. We took a look on the internet and according to users around the world, in the top of the most appreciated in terms of speed are: CORONA, REMINGTON, ROYAL, TRIUMPH, OLYMPIA, etc. Basically, all typewriters are very fast and good. This "ranking" is not nailed down and everyone can decide, after trying, which model they like.
12. MATERIAL
The materials from which a typewriter is made will be felt in the weight of the typewriter. Older standard models are generally made of cast iron. The portable models are made of steel, duralumin or various alloys to facilitate transportation. Later also appeared made of hard plastic.