Just when we thought typewriters were obsolete. Oh boy, we were so wrong!
A typewriter is a device that uses mechanical or electromechanical components with a set of keys that when pressed allows characters to be printed on a medium like paper. By 1980’s personal computers have replaced these things and by the late 1990’s laptops have been more appealing than these typewriters.
These typewriters which date back to 1714 when Henry Mill obtained the first patent in Britain, is already in a way considered ancient. But Jack Zylkin, developed a project at Philadelphia where you can rev up your typewriting experience. You can connect your PC, Mac or iPad via a USB dock to this typewriter. How did he do it?
The open source Arduino microcontroller platform was used and modified using the Arduino IDE. An Arduino is a one-board microcontroller and a software suite used for programming which as software is made up of a standard programming language and the boot loader that runs on the board.
An Arduino IDE on the other hand is a cross-platform application written in Java and is used for Processing programming language and Wiring which in turn allows compiling and uploading programs to the board with a single click. The specifications take the pace of a mechanical typewriter which involves a QWERTY keyboard where you can type at a top speed of 3 words per minute especially when you’re not used to typing on it.
Down at Etsy, an online store for the said typewriter, a custom-made typewriter costs $400 while digitizing your typewriter may cost you $200 and a do-it-yourself kit costs only $75. Sounds like plenty of options for us.
I think this invention is short-lived considering that computers and laptops which have come in various sizes, brands and specifications have already taken the lead in the market. Why build something that is so out-dated considering that you can buy keyboards less than the amount of $400. This is awfully a high price for a not so useful 3 words per minute assessed typing pace and the rickety-clank-clank sound resounding to the ears in a not so nice way. Using this would rather be a down-grade of your so useful keyboard which is more light-weight.
However, if you want to jazz up your well-kept ancient and old typewriter this perhaps will be your answer rather than having thrown them in your cabinets! Also the fact that you’re connecting it via a USB port to a PC, Mac or iPad, allows you to have another option to the keyboard. Although I’m not a fan of this product at least you have a nice option rather than use the same-looking keyboards. If you want some style to your typing experience then admit it. It does look great paired with your techy gadgets – a funny combination of the ancient and the new!
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