General Discussion

EarthFirst

(4,082 posts)

32. We no longer have a typewriter...

Mon Feb 16, 2026, 06:48 AM

Feb 16

As a result of this inquiry however; I had to check to see how accessible new ribbon for a typewriter still is.

I was surprised to find that it’s fairly easy to acquire; and generally affordable (2 pair for $6.99 seems to be the average…)

I also found that blank analog cassette tapes are wildly expensive; a single Maxell XL-II 90 minute is roughly $11-$13 each.

We have hundreds of them; (perhaps even over a thousand) -Dead shows from years of trading live recordings.

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Poll: Do you have a typewriter? [View all] DURHAM D Feb 16 OP

Not anymore, but there are plenty of days I wish I did have one! SheltieLover Feb 16 #1

I have one. It's in the attic. Ocelot II Feb 16 #2

I did but it is long gone. But I agree, sometimes it is the best and simplest way to fill out a form. Marie Marie Feb 16 #3

Not anymore---- I guess I haven't still owned one in about 30 years.... Jack Valentino Feb 16 #4

From 'class'............. MyOwnPeace Feb 16 #55

I have an electric typewriter on a shelf in my basement. Like others have noted, I keep it to fill out those paper forms generalbetrayus Feb 16 #5

Long gone. NewHendoLib Feb 16 #6

Contribute one dollar to pay for a DU 'Star Membership', Jack Valentino Feb 16 #7

I have a Star Membership. DURHAM D Feb 16 #8

Why not both? Polybius Feb 16 #41

I got tired of lugging it with me every time I moved. LudwigPastorius Feb 16 #9

Not since the 90's when I got my first Tree Lady Feb 16 #10

About 42 years ago, I acquired my first printer. Intractable Feb 16 #11

there is one in the house. I think it was my Mother's, possibly my Grandmother's Kali Feb 16 #12

I gave up my typewriter about 25 years ago LogDog75 Feb 16 #13

Somewhere, probably. Right now I have no idea where. nt eppur_se_muova Feb 16 #14

I have one BlueSpot Feb 16 #15

I have 2, area51 Feb 16 #16

Yes. H2O Man Feb 16 #17

Used to love using them for rough drafts back when DU first started thebigidea Feb 16 #18

Yes - but only because it was my father's Ms. Toad Feb 16 #19

nope, not for 15 years now krawhitham Feb 16 #20

Yes. I rarely use it. nt Ilsa Feb 16 #21

This message was self-deleted by its author CTyankee Feb 16 #22

My last one was called a Selectric (I think). Does anybody remember that model? CTyankee Feb 16 #23

This message was self-deleted by its author Raine Feb 16 #25

Yes l remember those. nt Raine Feb 16 #31

Yes - made by IBM. DURHAM D Feb 16 #37

Yes, but it needs a ribbon. AnotherDreamWeaver Feb 16 #24

Long gone, but I learned on an old manual one.. Permanut Feb 16 #26

Yes l have couple of typewriters. One is special it's electric and Raine Feb 16 #27

How cool samplegirl Feb 16 #28

My cousin gave me her husband's old typewriter markodochartaigh Feb 16 #29

What's a typewriter?? InAbLuEsTaTe Feb 16 #30

We no longer have a typewriter... EarthFirst Feb 16 #32

I'm not Ron Swanson SocialDemocrat61 Feb 16 #33

I still use an electric typewriter for some things Shrek Feb 16 #34

The last typewriter I had was a word processor. When the modern computer Emile Feb 16 #35

I replaced my last typewriter with a computer in the 1980s. highplainsdem Feb 16 #36

NO. Happy Hoosier Feb 16 #38

I own 8 or 9 manual typewriters. Orrex Feb 16 #39

Lol, no Polybius Feb 16 #40

I do! An Underwood typewriter that belonged to my mother. She learned to type on it. QueerDuck Feb 16 #42

Do you know how they came up with the keyboard design DURHAM D Feb 16 #43

Absolutely! It is intentionally designed to slow down typists... QueerDuck Feb 16 #44

Yes, I have a 1948 Royal Quiet Deluxe portable typewriter. MineralMan Feb 16 #45

Yes a couple,,, somewhere. Prairie_Seagull Feb 16 #46

Amen - love the clack nt DURHAM D Feb 16 #47

Yes Rebl2 Feb 16 #48

In the attic Bettie Feb 16 #49

No blogslug Feb 16 #50

Several bucolic_frolic Feb 16 #51

I have two, and my wife has one DavidDvorkin Feb 16 #52

No. The two things I actually learned in high school was how to drive a car and typing. underpants Feb 16 #53

I have a Smith-Corona electric typewriter in my basement. CrispyQ Feb 16 #54

Yes. Mine is a script. StarryNite Feb 16 #56

No, sold my IBM Selectric five years ago. sinkingfeeling Feb 16 #57

We have a 1936 royal bamagal62 Feb 16 #58

Cool DURHAM D Feb 16 #59

No orangecrush Feb 16 #60