Obsolete Technology: Typewriters
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical machine for writing in characters similar to those produced by printer's type by means of keyboard-operated types striking a ribbon to transfer ink or carbon impressions onto the paper.
Typewriters were invented in the 1860s. However, as early as 1714, Henry Mill obtained a patent in Britain for a machine that was similar to a typewriter.
In 1865, Rev. Rasmus Malling-Hansen of Denmark invented the Hansen Writing Ball, which went into commercial production in 1870 and was the first commercially sold typewriter.
Notable typewriter manufacturer companies have included E. Remington and Sons, IBM, Imperial Typewriters, Oliver Typewriter Company, Olivetti, Royal Typewriter Company, Smith Corona, Underwood Typewriter Company, Adler and Olympia Werke.
By the end of the 1980s, personal computers, desktop publishing, the introduction of low-cost, high-quality, laser and inkjet printer technologies, and the widespread use of web publishing, e-mail and other electronic communication techniques had largely displaced typewriters as used by professional writers, in offices, and in private homes in the United States.
Questions for geocachers:
Have you ever used a typewriter? Do you still have a typewriter at home? (I learned to type on an old fashioned mechanical typewriter. And I still have an old electric typewrite at home, but I do not know why I have kept it!!)
Note: This cache was placed in Jonathan Dickinson State Park as part of Cacheapalooza 8, with permission of Martin Morse, Park Service Specialist. If you park anywhere in JDSP, make sure all your tires are off the pavement and you are not blocking any gates. Be sure to obey all posted speed limits.