Thursday, July 14, 2016

Typewriter hunting at the National Museum of Scotland



The lovely central atrium of the museum:


James Watt is a Scottish national hero:


A steam engine is de rigueur:


The famous ruminant. If you can't guess why she's famous, see here.


A Jacquard loom! I had heard of these, but never seen one before.


This contraption was a harbinger of massive industrialization, and its punched cards anticipated computer programming. More here.


Telephone and telegraph technology ...


An Enigma code machine ...


A teletype ... we're getting warmer ...


... and here they are!


Yes, that's it. A total of four typewriters on display, all of which are unexciting to the experienced collector.

Well, I did enjoy looking at this handsome British version of the Oliver 9 with a wide carriage, metal-ringed keys, and what looks like a cork platen.


As a consolation, there was this entertaining book to page through in the gift shop.


I leave you with a few panoramas.

Edinburgh, looking out over the glass-ceilinged train station:


Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat, a rugged hill at the edge of town:


And the debating room at the Scottish Parliament, a fascinating building:





11 comments:

  1. Marvelous! Those are some seriously huge punch cards! Travel safely my friend. :-)

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  2. Hey, that's better than NO typewriters. Maybe Glasgow does better - after all they made most of my Olivettis in that city. I hope the Kolibri isn't feeling usurped if you brought a Lettera this time.

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  3. Looks like a super cool place to hang out. I like that atrium.

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  4. I may need to travel there. Great post!

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  5. Looks like you had a wonderful time. Beautiful place and interesting museum.

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  6. https://tylerandchip.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/braveheart_freedom.jpeg

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  7. When I visited London for the first time, I found their version of CSPAN on the TV. Scottish parliament was in session and it was hilarious! They were shouting, banging their fists, throwing paper wads. Real entertaining!

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  8. Ahh well, better hunting in your travels (:

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  9. Interesting exhibits, especially the taxidermy. Nice "alphabet piano" too!

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  10. According to the Master Catalogue, this Museum should host half of the typewriters in Scottish public collections. http://www.stickssn.org/site/media/Effective%20Collections/Master_Catalogue_Typewriters.pdf

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, I'd forgotten about this catalogue.

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