Typewriters are ugly and noisy machines. When we think about their design, there is nothing much that we can do to modify it. However, when professional designers take responsibility to re-design something, you can expect something unique and magnificent. Here are eleven amazingly designed typewriters which will not only surprise you, but also compel you to use them in this modern age of super computers.
Valentine Typewriter/Laptop
This clever Austrian team of designers has designed a nostalgic notebook that pays tribute to Olivetti’s renowned “Valentine” portable typewriter. The modernized “Valentine typewriter/laptop” has sleek lines, boxy shape and vibrant color, with pull-out keyboard and a compact rolling screen, to live on to the functional and attractive appeal a laptop would like to have in order to sell in the ranks of those futuristic. This concept laptop’s pretty neat and nostalgic; it does deserve to go real.
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USB Typewriter
Miss the good old-fashioned manual typewriter? Then this “USB Typewriter” created by Jack Zylkin is a new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence, according to its creator, turns the old machines into retro-style keyboards that hook up to any USB-capable computer to let you type like it’s 1948. The USB typewriter keyboard is made over from a recycled typewriter, and comes with a special application, and a USB port for your Mac, PC, and iPad. Just as you know, typewriter is keyboard’s mother. So don’t worry about meeting any question when you enjoy the feeling of touching vintage keys on the USB typewriter.
Writing Ball Typewriter
Developed in 1865 by Rasmus Malling Hansen, the office equipment descending from the Victorian age, wears steam punk design, as a trademark of the age’s outstanding craftsmanship. The “Writing Ball Typewriter” features a brass half-sphere covered with keys above a cylinder. The keys were pushed down to the center of the surface where the type got printed on the paper surface. The typewriter might be difficult to use but it would still look pretty resting in contemporary surrounding.
Franklin Typewriter
The “Franklin Typewriter” is one of the most striking looking machines in history. Particularly the round keyboard gives the machine a unique and unmistakable profile. The down strike machine was invented by Wellington Parker Kidder in 1891. Besides the curved keyboard, one innovative feature of this machine is the direct gear linkage between the keys and type bars, a much simpler mechanism than those used by other typewriters of the time.
Robot Face Typewriter
Created by Jeremy Mayer, this “Robot Face Typewriter” sculpture is an amazing robot art which you hardly get to see. Some artists use paint, some use stone, more modern artists utilize computer technology and then there’s Jeremy Mayer who uses old typewriters and their parts to create something new and innovative stuff life this Robot Face Typewriter.
Typewriter Joystick
We all craved to play those good old arcade games; even today we wouldn’t mind the era which had its own little charm. Now, when typewriters and arcades have seen a way out, a modification to unite the two for our gaming desires should surely deserve a mention. This functional arcade joystick molded out off an old typewriter by SRK member NeoBlood. Many out there would question the applications of the contraption, but for others the make in itself is pretty satisfying and they wouldn’t mind laying their hands on it. NeoBlood’s stuck switches off arcade-style push buttons onto the typewriter keys and has custom-fitted an authentic Sanwa joystick to complete it.
Typewriter
This unique looking typewriter is perfect if you’re an aspiring writer, looking to pen your first novel or you’re just not someone who is that gaga about touch technology and love vintage stuff. This typewriter is great for such people. It may be just the perfect, quaint, antique contraption for you.
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Hermes Typewriter
First introduced in 1958, the “Hermes 3000 Typewriter” was an instant success and widely popular in international markets. The Hermes 3000 was one of the most sophisticated manual portable typewriters ever made. Its major innovations included the world’s first lightning margins (visible in front of the sheet of paper), a control board grouping all the service keys, and integrated base plate and cover to facilitate handling and carrying. But more importantly it had a mint green color which was very different from normally typewriter in those days.
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Williams Typewriter
This “Williams Curved Typewriter” would have first gone into production around 1891. The Williams typewriter is known mostly for its grasshopper mechanism. The type bars are in a circle on both sides of the platen, pointing inwards and resting on ink pads. When a key is depressed, the type comes up, jumps forward and strikes down onto the platen, much like an insect.
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Valentine Typewriter
Designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr., this portable typewriter is quite bright in color and easy to carry wherever you want. The “Valentine” is made of orange-red injection-molded ABS, in keeping with the 1960s-era craving for brightly colored plastics. The machine is light, easy to carry, and can be used anywhere, since its rigid case also serves as a work surface.
Mint Calculator Typewriter
This is a Typewriter, Is that what you thinking? But what are these number keys and symbols for? Perhaps it’s an electric calculator “Mint Calculator” resembling the all time popular ancient typewriter. Although it looks like a typewriter, its mechanism is not the same. In other words, you do not need to press the keys as hard as you would on a typewriter. It looks mechanical, but it actually works as electrical. The only difference is that it prints the equation and the answer, but this is somewhat similar to a printing calculator in modern time, after typing the equation, press the”=” button, the answer will be printed automatically on the paper.
Do you love nostalgia? Check out our other posts on Vintage Typewriter Keyboard Stickers, Microsoft Windows Typewriter Circa 1968 and a Typewriter Joystick Conversion.
