Sunday, March 15, 2020

Typewriters of the Times: Ides of March edition

You-know-what is on all of our minds right now, but not on this blog, not today.

Instead, I present a roundup of the latest typewriter references in today's New York Times. We get it in print on Sunday—a treat that invites several hours of lazing in bed. And almost every Sunday, I run across multiple references to typewriters. Is this because the average Times reader, like me, is college-educated and well into middle age? Or is it just because typewriters are wonderful?

Anyway, here are today's tidbits.

A review of Teddy Wayne's novel Apartment, about two roommates who are aspiring writers in the '90s, includes this illustration by Klaus Kremmerz:



A review of Elizabeth Tallent's Scratched: A Memoir of Perfectionism includes this lovely quote:



The machine was "a hunky olive-green electric typewriter." Maybe a Selectric? Maybe something more exotic, like my Olivetti Editor 2?



Anyway, congratulations to the talented Ms. Tallent.




Finally, this photo from a story on the massive Alaskan earthquake of 1964 reminds us that, in times of crisis, we can band together to save the most important things. (Can anyone identify that typewriter? And, OK, you-know-what is on my mind.)

6 comments:

  1. My first thought was a Facit, but the cut out in the ribbon cover is too wide.

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    1. Some big Everests have large cut-outs like that. Is it possible?

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  2. Enjoy the NYT. Our weekend papers here are the Globe and the National Post. Not one mention of a typewriter. Only U Know What and the impending recession! Time to buy typewriter futures... if only there was a market.

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  3. Replies
    1. I think you're right! The perspective made it look more exotic.

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    2. yuh, distinctive 50's Royal shape, I concur (:

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