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MineralMan

(151,079 posts)
45. Yes, I have a 1948 Royal Quiet Deluxe portable typewriter.
Mon Feb 16, 2026, 04:08 PM
Feb 16

I found it in a trashcan near Syracuse University in 1966, when I was at a USAF total immersion Russian Language course. I took it back to the barracks. It didn't work properly. Sticky keys, etc. So, I looked up a typewriter repair shop. It cost me $35 for a cleaning and adjustment.

That old typewriter followed me around the country, to Turkey, and back. It went with me when I returned to college after my enlistment. It produced all of the papers an English Major and grad student had to write.

Later, it produced manuscripts as I started on my career as a magazine writer. I used it every day. I got if fixed a couple of more times. Finally, in 1984, I gave it a last cleaning and adjustment and put it, in it's case, on a shelf. It still travels with me, but never gets used. In 1984, I got me first IBM PC clone computer and a daisy wheel printer. Everything after that was written in Microsoft Word and printed, if necessary, for submission. Before long, everything went to publishers online.

So, the old typewriter is still on a shelf, in its case. It still works. It's hard to get ribbons for it now, and I don't use it any more. But, it got me through years and years of writing, so it has a special place in my heart and my home.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

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
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