When analog is better than digital

Changing of the typewriter guard in Missouri

Jones Typewriter Co. is—or rather, was—a St. Louis institution, full of the glorious chaos that I know from my own workshop. At least, so I understand; sadly, I never got the opportunity to visit the shop myself. Now owners Charlie May and Vern Trampe have closed the shop, after 59 years in business (see more great information and photos in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch story).

However, a new typewriter business is arising to fill the demand: Clickety Clack! Owned by husband and wife Shane and Amanda Byrne, who plan to open their own brick-and-mortar location in Rolla, Missouri, CC promises to keep MO clicking for years to come. Shane has been apprenticing at Jones, and the Byrnes have bought most of the shop's inventory.

Photo by Wesley B.

To judge from a story in Phelps County Focus (only the opening three paragraphs are available online), the Byrnes have a tidy aesthetic.

They sponsored a type-in in Rolla last weekend. Insurgent correspondent Wesley B. offers us these glimpses.

Good luck, Clickety Clack! Typewriters are still a thing, nearly a quarter of the way into the 21st century—and you're going to help prove it.

 

I'm a star in Saskatoon

Well, sorta.

Many bits of my recent conversation with reporter Kevin Mitchell of the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix (now there's a proper newspaper name for you) made it into his recent article. There's even a selfie I sent him.

As I mention in the article, back in the early days of this blog I acquired a Speedwriter from Saskatoon. I'm happy to make another connection to Saskatchewan.