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  1. Last 7 days
    1. Salesman documents the work of a group of door-to-door Bible salesmen in New England and Florida. Deeper down, the film is a dissection of the degenerative and devastating effects of capitalism on small towns and individuals, but more than any political statement the film is about normal people in all their ugliness and truthfulness.

      see also: Barnouw, Erik (1993), Documentary a History of the Non-fiction Film (PDF), New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 241–242, retrieved March 30, 2020

  2. Aug 2024
    1. DIY ANTIQUE RESTORATION // REMINGTON TYPEWRITER RESTORE by [[BYOT]]

      I would not recommend any of this for the serious typewriter enthusiast. He was polishing it up for show, not to preserve it for actual use, or actual restoration.

    1. Royal KHM - Techniques for Polishing Antique Glossy Black Paint by [[Dr. Typewriter]]

      He used a single round of Turtle Wax cleaning compound (taking care not to over use as it can remove clear coat), then Mother's Wax to bring back the shine of black enamel paint on an early 1900s typewriter.

    1. Cleaning Type Slugs Fast ! Removing Clogged Dirty Ink Typewriter Service How to Shine Those Faces by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

      Duane cleans type slugs by draping the typewriter with cloths and then using a metal bristle brush and lacquer thinner. Small picks or an X-Acto knife can help to remove gunk from the interiors of the closed letters.

    1. Virtual Hermans - Richard Polt

      Richard Polt keynote talk at Virtual Hermans 2022<br /> "The Revolution Continues"

      • Blunderwood Portable at Burning Man
      • Tom Hanks' Uncommon Type: Some Stories
      • California Typewriter documentary released

      Typewriter Shops Today<br /> - California Office Machines has closed since the film - Ken moved to Berkeley Typewriter - Ace Typewriter in Portland, OR - Tom Furrier at Cambridge Typewriter - Lucas Dul opening up in Chicago - Jack Armstrong (Teenager) in Tampa, FL - Karin Kessler - Backspace in Westport, CT - Pamela Rogow WPM, Philadelphia, PA - Typespace opened in Portland, OR - Has an event space and nurturing community - 4-5 shops in Portaland - Bryan Kravitz at Philly Typewriter doing events - placing vintage typewriters around the city - Nashville Typewriter - Kirk Jackson doing brick and mortar store - Trinity Typewriter - Mitch Ham working out of house in Cincinnatti, OH - Ian McAndrew - Iron Fox Typewriters - Wordplay Cincicy - RIchard Polt's place

      Typewriter Restorers<br /> This segment is showing the most growth - El Granero in Spain (Polish Couple) - Mr. & Mrs. Vintage Typewriter - Walid and wife - Unplug Typewriter Company - Magan Siata (SP?) in Arkansas -Teipiadur - Welsh word - Laura Whittner in CA - Colombo Collection - Jennifer Colombo in Seattle, WA - Sparky - similar to USB Typewriter kit; sends text via Bluetooth to phone

      Recently Manufactured Typewriters<br /> - Still made in 2022 - Rover made by Shanghai Weilv Mechanism Company still making typewriters (bad quality control, plastic, poor alighnment) the Rover, the Royal Epoch, We R Memory Keepers, Royal Classic (metal shell)) - based on the Olympia Carina (Will Davis determined) - Nakajima still doing electric typewriters - Royal Scriptor - Brother - daisy wheel - Swintec - selling machines to prisons

      Modern Technology for making typewriters - 3D printing - 3DTypewriterParts.com - Pete Volz has digital files - Odin Typewriter - Ryan Mosely - Typer by Yannik Gotz - minimal keyboard and printer (concept) - Freewrite (fka Hemingway) (word processor) - Pomera from Japan - decoration made in China and not functional

      Typewriters in Popular Culture<br /> - stickers - skateboards - Dark Academia - movie: Can you Ever Forgive me - Movie The french Dispatch - andretti machine from wes anderson - typewriter fashion (purses) - Lego typewriter and knockoffs - tattoos

      Events (Type-ins / Type-outs)

      Street Typing - Chris Vitiello made a typewriting cabinet he hides in, takes in a word and provides an answer/poetry - Brian Sonia-Wallace - The Poetry of Strangers - writing on Amtrak

      Publications - The Adventures of Typewriter Troubadour - self published several books - Typewriter Rodeo (book) - Literati - Ann Arbor, MI - Notes from a Public Typewriter - ETCetera journal - Paul Rober in Netherlands - Polt, et. al. edited four volumes as books: Paradigm Shifts, Escapements, Backspaces, Dead Keys (series called Cold Hard Type) available on Amazon at cost, Margin Releases (forthcoming; Deadline March 1, 2022) - Loose Dog Press - Polt's imprint - Danielle Steele still writing on an Olympia SG1 - Evertype - Polt NaNoWriMo (looking for publisher) - Armando Warner publishing books in Spanish (he's also a typewriter restorer)

      Typewriter Music - Boston Typewriter Orchestra album Delegation: The Remixes - Typophone by Albrecht Fersch (typewriter loom) - Anechoia Memoriam IBM typewriter connected to piano

      Typewriter Art - Courtney Brown - octopus typewriter - titled: Self-Organization - AlteredTypewriter - Instagram altered typeslugs for creating art - Tim Youd - retypes classic novels; also does painting - Issue of Red Door (#28) The Typewritten Issue with cover by Hal Wildson to do photorealism - Kelye Kneeland - also presenting at Hermans 2022 - Keira Rathbone doing typewriter art - James Cook - portraits

      Typewriters in the Pandemic<br /> - Tom Currier WBZ (CBS) interview in 2020 marked his busiest year in business. - #Covid19Correspondence by TimeTravelTypewriters (he died) - One Typed Page project by Daniel Marlow - Brian Sonia-Wallace used Zoom to aggregate typewriter poets - Poor Typist - Gregory Short - Typewriter Club LIVE - Austin Typewriter, Ink. (Austin, TX) with FB page and ATI: The Podcast - Joe Van Cleave - YouTube videos - Virtual Hermans

      The Future of the Revolution - definitely not over - Mark Zuckerberg photo with typewriter on shelf behind him.... Smith Corona electric - Pavel Kuchinski artworks - Banksy did Redding Jail with escapee using a typewriter to escape - Steve with tattoo Insurgent - Munk redid image of woman changing ribbon - Giovanni Chero in FLA with image

      Q&A<br /> - Blick electric - Flavio has one and one others - Polt is distracted by the electric hum when he's trying to write creatively - Polt hasn't used a thermal typewriter before - Argument for wife for why collect? "They keep their value..."

    1. Virtual Hermans - Lucas Dul

      Lucas Dul does an overview of affordable and available tools for typewriter repair as well as more advanced

      Basic Tools

      • screwdriver sets
        • Carpenter screwdrivers (come to a point) the point can slip and causecam out screws
        • Hollow ground - provide the most amount of torque and prevent cam-out problems (also called gunsmith He uses the 0623 Chapman set (the number is the date of international typewriter day) The large tip can be problematic
        • long reach screwdriver
        • magnetic screwdriver
        • tempered stainless steel ruler (as a screwdriver, especially
        • microdrivers (usually used for eyeglasses or electronics)
      • spring hooks (push/pull)
        • Fixture from an embroidery set with length for getting length
        • grab hooks
      • pliers
        • standard needle nose pliers
        • 45-90 degree pliers (he uses more often)
        • wire cutters (for modifying springs in machines and modifying links in machines)
        • parallel draw pieces (with heavy duty cutters)
      • Mechanics' wrench set
        • prefer cast ones
        • socket screwdrivers (fixed hex screwdriver) expecially for shift adjustment on the Royal Ps
        • Chapman's has a mini rachet 1/4" socket in it's 0623 set
      • Forceps especially a long pair for IBM Selectrics (via Duane Jensen)
      • Tweezers
      • Blowtorches
        • alcohol torches (for heating and bending metal)
        • soldering, brazing, and heat shrinking
        • small butane torch (cigarette lighter use)
      • Oilers with needlepoint applicator (he uses sewing machine oil)
        • One can use the surface tension of the oil to place a dot on the tip of a scewdriver (flat head) and then place the dot within a machine with reasonable precision
      • MIG Pliers - have cutouts for taking rubber off of old feedrollers (otherwise these pliers are used for welding); he describes it as the nutcracker of the typewriter world
      • strap wrench (especially for removing platen knobs to prevent damage)
      • knife (butter knife)
        • razor blade for trimming rubber (otherwise too thin for other applications)
      • flashlight (simple is fine)
      • marker (Sharpie)
        • marking orientation of removed parts (washes off with alcohol)
      • hammer
      • retainer clip pliers (especially for IBMs, Brothers, Swintecs) with spare e- and c-clips (some have thumbscrews for minimizing damage to clips) openers are more useful than "closers"
      • Bristol wrenches - looks like Allen Keys, but with star cross section for bristol locks in IBM machines
      • Hand crank (for IBM Selectrics) thread into the operational cam shaft

      Intermediate Tools

      • segment bearing rod (good for removing individual typebars)
      • drinking straw for ball bearings on royal portables and S-C portables and flat tops staggered 1/2" ball bearings with orbital gear (star-shaped) - snip opposite sides to insert orbital ring and ball bearing for holding and placement in typewriter
      • carpenter's pencil for marking

      Advanced/Specialty tools

      • t-bender for forming metal (exp. thin pieces)
      • 9 jaw pliers for bending typebars
      • peening pliers (for manipulating and stretching materials)
      • wheel benders (he doesn't use often)
      • eyelete tool for putting eyelets in typewritter ribbon
      • files (small/cheap) widen gaps inside of type guides when necessary or thinning out tight pieces

      Very specialized

      • Type slug solder jig or solder guide
      • keyring pliers ($400 and above to purchase)
      • multimeter for checking circuit components on electric models. Primarily using Ohm setting to see if current is passing through parts, otherwise they're broken.

      Honorable mentions

      • center punch for drilling points and new screws
      • dental mirror for looking into machines
      • spring gauge to set 2lbs for desktop and 1lb for portables

      Q&A

      air compressors are useful for cleaning

      Don't damage screws on older machines.

      US used imperial screws until 1940/50s and machines after are all metric.

      3 dessert island tools<br /> - screwdrivers, pliers, spring hook

    1. Tools of the typewriter trade by [[Retrotype]]

      Excellent overview of many of the basic tools for typewriter repair. Didn't have the strongest grasp of all the tools' specific names, but good enough for describing their general use cases.

      Example of a typewriter toolset including a case made for telephone company repair, but which works with typewriters.

      • Shore A durometer gauge
      • nylon fishing/picture hanging wire spec to 25kg (for drawband replacement)
      • thick waxed string/yarn for repairing fishing nets (for drawbands)
      • nitrile gloves (to prevent staining, issues with mineral spirits, and other caustic chemicals)
      • XPower pressure blower for blowing out dust/dirt and mineral spirits. (smaller than an air compressor)
      • nail grooming set with tweezers, picks, etc. (not technically necessary, but sometimes useful)
      • dental tools (for use as spring hooks)
      • Renaissance micro-crystalline wax (non-corrosive, made for British Museum, good on marble, wood, leather, etc. Good on bare metal for treating previously rusted metal. (It's recommended to use an abrasive polish for improving the shine of glossy paint however)
      • Pouch and set of precision screwdrivers (he only uses the flatheads though the set includes other) Prefer hollow ground tips which are squared off rather than wedges.
      • Chapman bit set of screwdrivers (with hollow ground tips) He prefers these for hard to remove screws. Issue that it's a bit thicker at the tip.
      • Liquid wrench penetrating oil for helping to loosen screws (he likes this better than WD-40)
      • brash wire brushes
      • steel wire brushes (uses less frequently as they're more abrasive)
      • pouch of precision wrenches (imperial and metric) his are bladed, Moody tools wrenches (mfg.) prefer the thinnest tips
      • microfiber cloths
      • jig for soldering typeslugs on typearms
      • pouch with various typewriter specific pliers:
        • 3 prong pliers (total of 9 prongs) for making bends/forming typebars (especially making bends in the middle of bars rather than the end.;
        • peening bend pliers;
        • bending pliers for sideways bends esp. with thinner typebars;
        • vertical adjustment pliers (with rollers) not good for making adjustments of 3mm or more;
        • forming pliers with screws on the end to rotate heads for bending, peening and cutting;
        • peening pliers (bending by metal displacement)
      • Magnetized screwdrivers
      • forceps
      • screw grabber (active capture)
      • spring hooks (push/pull)
      • nylon brushes for dusting
      • needle nose pliers
      • t-bender with slotted head for forming metal
      • small bottles for mineral spirits and sewing machine oil. They have small metal tips for precision application.
    1. The 1957 Groma Kolibri by [[Typewriter Chicago]]

      Another sexy sales video by Lucas Dul, this time for the Groma Kolibri portable out in the woods and backed by a lovely piece called Ashitaka and San by Joe Hisaishi.

    1. the 1960s Remington 333 by [[Typewriter Chicago]]

      What a great looking sales video for a typewriter. Backed by the Igor Stravinsky's the Rites of Spring.

    1. Typewriter Tool Kit from the DOLLAR TREE by [[Just My Typewriter]]

      Overview of cheap tools for typewriters available at Dollar Tree and similar dollar stores.

      • microfiber cloths
      • q-tips
      • LA's Totally Awesome cleaner
      • Silly Putty
      • toothbrushes
      • allen wrenches
      • wire bristle brushes
      • hook and pick kit
      • screwdrivers and sets
      • extendable mini mirror
      • rubber gloves
      • flashlights
      • magnets to hold screws
  3. Jul 2024
    1. The 7Keys Retro Typewriter Keyboard by [[Just My Typewriter]]

      Sarah thought it was fairly solid for a mid level price. Replaceable blue keys, so a nice mechanical keyboard experience. Better than some of the cheap white label drop ship keyboards in the space.

    1. how to SOUNDPROOF a typewriter by [[Just My Typewriter]]

      She uses piano felt to restore the original felt rests of a Smith-Corona Skyriter. Technically not soundproofing, but restoration. We get the point.

    1. Royal Quiet De Luxe Magic Margin Stuck Won't Slide Clean Flush Restore Operation of Typewriter by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

      50+ year old oil can cause parts of a typewriter to seize and not work properly. Hitting it with some heavy degreaser (lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, etc.) and some compressed air as well as getting the parts moving will help clean these parts out.

    1. Royal KMM FPE HH KH 10 T1 B64 Typewriter Ribbon Install Rewind Respool Replace by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

      The spools for the standard Royal typewriters (KMM, FPE, HH, KH, etc) have a custom metal mechanism for their auto-reverse. The spools are known as the T1 (which is the same as General Ribbon part # T1-77B , T1-77BR, and Nu-Kote B64.) If winding on universal ribbon onto them, remove the eyelette which isn't needed and may interfere with the auto reverse.

      The function of the mechanism is fairly similar to that of the Remington, but the mechanism is on the spool itself rather than on the spindle.

      If necessary, Ribbons Unlimited carries these metal spools: https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/6N064-Royal-Standard-Electric-Ribbon-64-p/6n064.htm

    1. Royal HH & FP typewriter shipping help by [[Typewriter Justice]]

      Advice for how to package a heavy standard typewriter for shipping. Two heavy rubberbands to hold the margin release buttons to protect the escapement. Then plastic wrap to keep the carriage from moving during shipment. Then protection for the knobs and carriage return levers put into a first box. Then packing peanuts in a second box, fill to completely full and tape closed.

    1. Royal Empress by [[Joe Van Cleave]] and [[Kevin Kittle]]

      Royal Standards were broadly the same internally from 1912 onward.

    1. Royal HHE Typewriter Demo of Features and Functions by [[Cincinnati Typewriter]]

      Orange and black typewriter painted when they thought Bengals were going to Super Bowl.

      Sadly didn't get the purpose of the numbered guides... presupposed they were in millimeters, but knew it wasn't that.

      Very shaky video... nauseating.

      Didn't differentiate between permanent and temporary variable line levels. Didn't get the way these work at all.

      Missed subtleties of Magic Margin, but did well enough.

      "strikers" instead of slugs or hammers

      Painted the colors on the bichrome wrong.

      Only partially understands touch control. Definitely doesn't know how to adjust them.

      Definitely don't use this as an example.

      Seems like an amateur painting and (maybe) cleaning up typewriters from home. I don't think I'd trust him based on this video.

    1. 1954 Royal HH, repainted | Typewriter Tutorial by [[Jot & Tittle Vintage Typewriters]]

      Pseudo-professional explaining the functionality of a Royal HH (sales video)

      took her two tries to get the proper ribbon reversal... <br /> didn't get/understand the touch control function<br /> Not original spools<br /> Doesn't understand card fingers<br /> At least knew "stencil", but didn't explain it beyond "it won't type"<br /> Didn't have a specific size for the large carriage<br /> Had issue with ribbon tension<br /> Couldn't get the hood button several times

      "I wouldn't write a long book on here." What the hell is she talking about? This was the entire purpose of this machine.

    1. 1952 HH Royal #Typewriter Overview by [[T4Vista]] Wilson Trivino

      Another sales video showing features of a typewriter when they have no idea what any of the parts are or how they're actually working... sigh...

    1. How to use all functions on a 1952 Royal HHE vintage desktop typewriter by [[Brooksaw Antiques]]

      "sales video" but it does go through a list of most functionality, though missing a few of the finer typing points. Obviously they're not typewriter aficionados.

      Video could be better, particularly a traditional horizontal rather than vertical layout.

    1. The Royal HH: my FAVORITE desk typewriter by [[Just My Typewriter]]

      Good basic intro, and overview, but doesn't get into deep functionality review. Short list of some writers who used it from Richard Polt's site, though not complete.

    1. Royal Typewriter Family by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

      In Typewriter Video Series Episode 321 Joe and Kevin explore the Royal Heritage, Empress and Safari.

      The Royal Futura and subsequent Royal Heritage were successor machines to the Royal Quiet De Luxe.

      The Empress and the Safari have a sort of Jetsons (1962-1963) esthetic.


      Colloquial collection of typewriter fan names by Kevin and Joe:<br /> Cult of Hermes<br /> Royal Family<br /> Remington Rebels<br /> Smith-Corona Silent Superiors

    1. The Minimal Complete Typewriter Collection by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

      Joe Van Cleave's personal six categories in a (his) typewriter collection: - Standard manual - medium-sized portable (largest segment in the collector's space) - lightweight portable or ultra-portable - typebar electric - IBM Selectric - Electronic typewriter (thermal typewriter), portable, quiet, battery operation.

      Joe's minimal collection based on what he's got in his collection currently and the condition that they're in: - Royal KMM (his only standard) - Hermes 3000 (boxy middle era) - Olympia Splendid 33 (he's also got a Royal Mercury & Groma Kalibri) - Olympia Reporter - Selectric I (the only one he's got) cloth, ribbon cartridge system, no lift-off correction - Canon Typestar 220

      Some of Joe's most important criteria in a typewriter: he prefers an elite face, 1 1/2 spacing, and bichrome setting.

      At the time of this recording Joe had 30 typewriters.

    1. SCM Electric Typewriters by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

      Tips for cleaning the Smith-Corona 6 series electric typewriters and details about how they work.

      S-C also made this series of typewriter for both Sears and Singer under their branding. (including the Singer Electric in this video.)

      The belts on the electric motor and cams was originally a rubber 'V' belt which is no longer manufactured. Using 1/8" round cross-section o-rings of appropriate sizes (for water cannister applications) is the recommended replacement, however one may need to slightly move the drive motor down a bit so that the belt doesn't hit the frame of the typewriter and thereby destroying it over time.

      Cleaning and lubricating the drive motors and moving pieces before using may help before trying out a typewriter which has been sitting for long periods of time.

      Some later models had an electric return, which can tend to be violent. Electro 220 and Coronet Automatic 12 have an additional clutch and draw band (and lack of return lever on the carriage) for their electric returns.

    1. Part 4: COMPLETE Olympia SM3 Service and Repair Series: STICKY RIBBON LIFTER by [[The HotRod Typewriter Co.]]

      The universal bar lifts the ribbon vibrator.

      Adjustment points to adjust the ribbon lift heights for issues with red/black on bichrome use.

      Maximum travel of the universal bar adjustment screws on crossbar that attaches to springs. timestamp 5:29

      Screws at the ends of the cross bar which are attached to the key springs can be adjusted slightly to provide for heavier or lighter touch control. Timestamp 6:07

    1. Adjustment screw for the Olympia SM3 on feet shift set up is just to the side of the ribbon spool/cup. Gerren indicates that he's never been able to do this adjustment properly with the typewriter body on, so it's much easier to do with it off.

      The bottom adjustment point (through the side of the frame) allows one to set the base line for the on foot for the lower case letters while the top one sets the upper case.


      Gerren credits Phoenix Typewriter for most of the material he's learned in terms of fixing typewriters.

      Bill at Philly Typewriter has an apprentice program, but there aren't many shops that do this. (Gerren makes a joke that it's free (child) labor.)


      Trip point adjustments

      The trip point is the point at which the typebar trips the movement of the escapement.

      The adjustment point for it is reachable by removing the small protecting plate on the bottom at the back of the machine. The escapement trigger is just underneath it.

      The lower one (top if the machine is upside down) is for the lower case; the top one is for the upper case.

      Screwing the screw in will cause the trip to occur sooner.


      Spacebar adjustment mechanisms [13:00]

      There are two, one set in the front of the bottom of the typewriter and two screws in the back, right near the escapement.

      If the spacebar is hit too many times while cleaning and repairing, the spacebar won't work properly and will need some minor adjustment when the body is put back on.


      He shows at the end how to remove the keytops of the individual keys.


      The final check is the shift lock mechanism to make sure its aligned properly.

    1. Olympia SM3 (1/2/4/5/7) Silent Return Spring Fix Part 5: Complete Olympia Service and Repair Series by [[The HotRod Typewriter Co.]]

      Removal of SM3 carriage with one screw and bolt.

      Repairing silent return spring (also works for Hermes and other European models) which operates via friction. American models don't have this sort of mechanism, so one will always get the zipper sound moving the carriage back.

    1. Olympia SM Typewriter Wash, Scrub Clean Lid Cover, Restore Paint by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

      Simple Green gets off most dirt and nicotine as well as some White Out. Duane uses Nu-Trol Control Cleaner (for electronics) as a mild specialty cleaner for tougher White Out cleaning.

    1. Type Shop, EP. 20: Ribbon Colors by [[Typewriter Chicago]]

      blue/pink is an excellent color combination as is the blue/green. blue/purple isn't as strong a differentiated color combination as one might hope.

      Typewriter Chicago used to carry orange, but doesn't any longer. Maybe again in the future?

    1. How to package an antique/vintage typewriter for shipping <br /> by [[Tampa Typewriter Co.]]

      Use elastic band to permanently engage the carriage release so it doesn't engage with the escapement and then cling wrap the carriage so it can't move. (Especially on models without a carriage lock.)

    1. Type Shop, Ep. 15: The Ultimate Keyring Toolset Guide by [[Typewriter Chicago]]

      Charles Gu's new keyring pliers for about $500 for a set are as good as if not better than vintage tools. In particular the new rubber pieces seem to help protect from breaking the original glass key tops which will then require replacement.

    1. Part 3: COMPLETE Olympia SM3 Service/Set Up Guide- Carriage Adjustments/ Ring and Cylinder by [[The HotRod Typewriter Co.]]

      Not mentioned in the video is that, at least on his model, most of the common adjustment points have screws or nuts which have a brassy look rather than silvery almost as a means of highlighting them as subtle adjustment points for improving the performance of the machine.

      Sometimes the carriage lock mechanism on the Olympia SM3 may not clear the carriage rail completely and this can result in it rubbing on the returns which results in a zipper or grinding sound. Forming the bar that connects the lever to the mechanism can quickly remedy this issue. See timestamp 2:17

      Fore and aft adjustments on carriages

      Details at timestamp

      Side to side adjustment on carriage:

      Details at timestamp

      Forward and backward carriage adjustments (on both sides):

      Details at timestamp

      Adjustment for the spacing between the carriage rails:

      This adjustment is rarely done unless there is something drastically wrong with the machine Details at timestamp

      Adjustment on the carriage stoppers for how much bounce the carriage shift might have as well as how high or low the carriage sits at it's lowest point using the triangle sliding bracket on each side of the carriage with two screws. If these force the carriage too high, it can affect where the type sits in terms of potentially interfering with the bichrome settings to make letters (especially the tallest ones) have two colors when they should only have one. Details at timestamp 8:14

      Adjustment on the rear springs for how light or heavy the carriage shift may be. Raise the spring and then adjust the small "nut" on the top. Details at timestamp 9:52

      Ring and Cylinder adjustment for Olympia SM3<br /> Details at timestamp

      Gerren doesn't seem to understand (or perhaps doesn't discuss it) some of the mechanics behind this adjustment beyond the distance of the platen to the typeface, but the usual suggestion is that the typeface shouldn't actually strike the paper and/or the platen. Ideally there should be just enough space between the typeface and the platen that an addition sheet of paper can be easily slid between the two along with the ribbon and another sheet of paper. This will allow the typeface to just kiss the ribbon and force the ink onto the front sheet of paper. Doing this will help to protect the integrity of the paper being typed on (ie, no deep imprints being pressed into the paper -- often seen with the period), as well as the integrity of the platen (preventing chips and imprints into the rubber, especially if it has been hardened), and the longer term integrity of the ribbon which can tend to be cut into by the typeface if it's too close.

      From a physics perspective there is some minor amount of flex in the typebar arm between where the "hammer" at the bottom of the typebar hits the "anvil" (aka ring) and the top of the typeface which, when typing at speed will tend to "throw" the typeface a tad farther than it would hit when the hammer hits the anvil when simply holding it against the ring manually.

    1. Typewriter Basics: End of Page Indicators by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

      Handful of methods:<br /> - page gauges (Smith-Corona, some Royals) - paper support arm (adjustable) - notch in paper pan (Hermes & some Silver Seikos) - Platen knobs (requires mod math and adjustable ring) (IBM)

    1. https://danallosso.substack.com/p/hypothesis-social-and-private-annotation-053

      Fun to see Dan Allosso using Hypothes.is as a more social media-related application instead of just the social annotation tool as many are using this in academia. It requires some additional work, but the discovery functionality is fantastic.

  4. Jun 2024
    1. Five Fairly Fun Fixes For Free by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

      Advice for typewriter ribbon printing, especially as silk ribbons age and more quickly gunk up the loops or letters like "e" or "a". Nylon ribbon and a thin plastic backing sheet can be helpfu.

      Use of bookbinder's glue on fabric of typewriter cases, then layers of shoe polish.

      General advice for replacing feet on typewriter cases.

      Small incremental improvements to your typewriter can be easier and more sustainable than trying to do everything at once.

  5. May 2024
    1. Typewriter Backing Sheets by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

      Backing sheets for typewriters on Meade standard typing paper.

      • Construction paper - Joe's favorite
      • 4 mil thick polyethylene film
      • Thin typing paper
      • 20lb resume paper
      • 1/64" synthetic rubber sheet
      • 168gsm Evolon (polyester and nylon) paper
    1. Der Bezos Earth Fund wird bis zum Ende des Jahrzehnts 10 Milliarden Dollar für den Kampf gegen die Klima und die Biodiversitätskrise zur Verfügung stellen. Die Mittel des Fonds geben ihm enormen Einfluss. Viele in der NGOs Szene sehen die Politik des Fonds als Gefährdung für die Unabhängigkeit der von ihm geförderten Organisationen. Der Guardian berichtet anlässlich einer Preisverleihung kritisch vor allem über das Engagement des Fonds für CO2 Kompensationen. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/20/jeff-bezos-earth-fund-carbon-offsets-climate-sector-uneasy-aoe

    1. Keynote: A conversation with Christina Warren about blogging and social media • Find her on Mastodon and Bluesky

      Watched this live on YouTube. Not sure if they'll archive it there or not.

      https://micro.camp/

    1. Toaster-Typewriter – An investigation of humor in design by [[CreativeApplications.Net]]

      A cross between a typewriter and a toaster that writes by toasting bread.

      The toaster-typewriter is the work of [Ritika Kedia], and it forms part of her thesis in product design at the Parsons School of Design, New York. It’s written up very much from an artistic rather than a tech perspective, but it’s no less ingenious for that in the way it uses letters formed from hot wire on a clay substrate, mounted on the end of the typewriter arms in front of a toaster.<br /> —This Typewriter Types Toast by Jenny List

    1. Royal Typewriter Platen Variable Repair, Roller Removal by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

      I'm seeing this issue on my 1949 Royal QDL. I figured it'd be an easy fix.

      Turns out, it was exactly my issue and the pieces had "frozen up". A quick clean out and we're back in business in under 20 minutes.

  6. Apr 2024
  7. Mar 2024
    1. "The Typist"

      KSMQ Public Television

      "The Typist" follows the life and work of Larry Tillemans, believed to be the last living clerk-typist from the Nuremberg Trials. As a sergeant in the U.S. 3rd Army, it was Larry's duty to document the testimony of victims and perpetrators of the Holocaust -- information that deeply affected the young Minnesotan. After years of carrying this emotional burden, Larry decided to share his experiences with as many people as possible, a tireless effort that brought the value of first-person testimony to a world struggling to remember the lessons of Nuremberg.

    1. Passion of the Nerd aka @popotoproductions3015 in The Toolbox Fallacy

      This wasn't quite the toolbox fallacy definition I expected, but was a larger philosophical framing of a smaller version specific to getting things done (GTD).

      Many people move from tool to tool hoping the next one will somehow "fix" things. In reality, it's having a tool and USING IT which creates progress.

      Remember that it's rare that supposed innovation will be the fix, but picking a road and traveling down it will at least get you somewhere.

    1. Typewriter Typefaces: Pica vs Elite, an explainer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwCD69jUPps

      Pica machines (12 characters per inch) will usually have a scale up to about 80-84.

      Elite machines (10 characters per inch) will have a scale up to 100.

      On Olympia machines, script only comes in Elite sizes (scale to 100 on platen).

  8. Feb 2024
    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWVrz5oCt2w<br /> The meaning of Hand Gestures in Art History<br /> Amuze Art Lectures

      Middle and ring fingers together to represent modesty. (He doesn't say it, but it also could stand for "M" as in Medici??)

      Finger pointing at viewer may indicate a self portrait.

      Woman's hand on abdomen may represent pregnancy, a fertile marriage, or the desire to bear children.