I just received a typewriter for Christmas. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking. You’re probably trying to think of a reason for having a typewriter now. You probably are not succeeding in thinking of a reason. And I’m not quite sure of a reason either. After all, It’s not the 1930s-60s. There are now such things as microprocessors and microchips and the computer industry itself, so why a typewriter? Well, typewriters are fun in ways that computer-based word processors just aren’t. You feel what you’re writing more than with any computer.

I have a manual, an Olivetti Underwood 21, from 1961 or thereabouts. It’s nice, a bit firm-keyed (of course), which makes long typing-sessions in particular difficult. Overall though, It’s a good machine, but I very much digress. What I really like about it is the focus. I mean, that it’s focused on one thing, and that thing only; typing. It really gets you to think about what you’re writing, as it only takes one mistake, and Boom! You’re forced to either start over or, probably for the better, continue writing until the end of your thought. That brings me to my point. It generally makes you focus or, at least, carry on. That or it frustrates a modern computer-user to half death and makes them through it ‘cross the room! But seriously, consider a typewriter, it really makes you focus on writing and (maybe this’s just me) make you forget about anything else, and be free of distractions. That is, until you mess up!