I learned to type as a student at Algona High School in the 1980s. Our class instructor, Mr. Chickering, said we better all learn how to type, as most all of us would need to know how to use computers in our daily tasks. He was right.
I had broken a finger from a wrestling match at that same time, which made typing a difficult task. Mr. Chickering, a basketball coach, didn’t want any excuses. He said I would figure it out. He was right again.
Aunt Dorothy gave me her old manual typewriter, and I took it to college in 1986 — along with typing paper, correction film and a few handy bottles of “Liquid Paper.” I typed my own papers, and I made a few bucks typing for others, too. It was a good gig to help pay for the gas in my car. In fact, I think I was the only guy on my dorm floor who had a typewriter. Even though that manual typewriter had seen better days, Henry Mill and William Burt would have been proud. Mill patented the “Machine for Transcribing Letters” in 1714. In 1830, Burt invented the first “typographer.” His machine, though slow and impractical, was the precursor to the typewriter.
During my sophomore year of college, I found a used electric typewriter for sale. It was one of those blue IBM versions that was about the size of my first car — and it made noises like it, too. Electric typewriters gained prominence about 50 years prior. The Electromagnetic Typewriter was one of the early models an dwas purchased by IBM in 1933. IBM quickly released its Model 01, which allowed for lighter keystrokes. IBM released the Selectric typewriter in 1961. It featured a selection of fonts, italics and languages. I don't recall if my version was that fancy or not. Regardless — and despite its size, weight and sound — that electric typewriter was a dream come true for typing papers.
By my junior year, computers and word processing software had become readily available, and my two typewriters were never seen again. I don’t know where they went. Mom likely sold them at a garage sale, which was fine by me.
In a matter of months, the typing paper I saved was likely used for other purposes, the correction fluid surely dried up, and Mr. Chickering was most certainly smiling somewhere, saying, “I told you so.” And, yes, he was right once again.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
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