In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a growing community of typewriter enthusiasts is rediscovering the charm of vintage Smith Coronas. Meanwhile, in Boston, individuals are using these classic machines to type personal stories during pro-immigration rallies. A new documentary featuring celebrities like Tom Hanks and John Mayer, which highlights the allure of typewriters, is set to premiere this summer.
Amidst the dominance of smartphones and social media, vintage typewriters are making a surprising comeback across the United States. These nostalgic devices, once relegated to the past, are now captivating a new generation eager to engage in public “type-ins” at local bars or purchase bespoke, typewritten poems from street poets. Enthusiasts are scouring thrift stores, online auctions, and antique shops to find these treasures, with some aiming to expand their collections and others aspiring to pen novels on models like the midcentury Royal Quiet De Luxe, famously used by Ernest Hemingway.
This renewed fascination with typewriters has sparked a demand for repair services, with enthusiasts seeking out the few remaining typewriter repair shops. John Lewis, a repairman based in Albuquerque, observes, “I haven’t seen business like this in years. There’s definitely a new interest, and it’s keeping me very busy.”
Richard Polt, a professor at Xavier University and author of “The Typewriter Revolution,” notes that the resurgence began about a decade ago with the formation of online communities dedicated to typewriter enthusiasts. Since then, the fan base has grown significantly, with numerous public events centered around these vintage machines. “It’s beyond the phase where this is just a fad,” Polt comments.
Typewriter Sales and the Thrill of the Hunt
Tracking recent typewriter sales is challenging due to the original manufacturers being out of business or rebranded, but thrift stores and estate sales report that typewriters are quick to sell. Joe Van Cleave, an Albuquerque resident with over a dozen typewriters, shares, “That’s part of the fun: the hunt. Sometimes, with a little luck, you might find something from the 1920s in great condition.”
Doug Nichol, director of the upcoming documentary “California Typewriter,” attributes the growing interest to “digital burnout” and a yearning for a tangible connection to the past. This fascination spans generations, as even those who grew up with digital technology are drawn to the tactile experience of typing a letter. Nichol’s film, releasing in August, features Hanks, who uses a typewriter daily for memos and letters. “I hate getting email thank-yous,” Hanks states in the film. “If they take 70 seconds to type me out something on a piece of paper and send it to me, well, I’ll keep that forever.”
Type-Ins and Community Engagement
The typewriter craze is further fueled by organized “type-ins,” where fans gather in public spaces to try out different vintage machines. These events have taken place in cities like Phoenix, Philadelphia, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Cincinnati. At a recent type-in at Albuquerque’s Nexus Brewery, around three dozen enthusiasts explored machines like the 1964 Olivetti Lettera 32 and the 1947 Royal KMM.
Rich Boucher, who attended the event, spent time crafting poetry on a 1960s-era Hermes 3000. “I haven’t used a typewriter in forever,” he said. “This is a real refreshing way to spend a summer afternoon.” Inspired by the experience, Boucher shared his excitement on social media and began searching for a Hermes 3000 of his own. “That’s the typewriter I want,” he declared. “I’m going to find one.”
