CNN Student News Typewriter Segment

A colleague sent a link to this video from the March 11th edition of CNN Student News. Paul Schweitzer from Gramercy has some nice things to say about typewriters. Also, he is selling about 30 machines a week! That's amazing.

The good bit starts at 7 minutes in.

A Welcome and A Remington

So, I imagine that some of you visiting today are new to my blog. Welcome. I hope that you enjoy yourself while you are here. The first part of this post is for the newcomers. It introduces the idea behind this blog and what I do with typewriters in school. The second part is about a new typewriter in my collection.

The CTP in a Nutshell

The original concept behind The Classroom Typewriter Project was to have students write without distraction. Computers have become distracting devices the divert our attention from quiet inspiration and real reflection. The typewriter is still the perfect machine for getting ideas neatly presented on paper. Moreover, the typewriter requires the author to be aware of GUMS (grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling) because a typewriter has a way of making your literary missteps very public.

To bring you up to speed on what has happened I have aggregated some of the older posts from this blog. These will be helpful in understanding the goals and what I wanted to do.

1. The original proposal sent to the nascent Typosphere: http://magicmargin.blogspot.com/2010/08/classroom-typewriter-project.html

2. The Hypothesis: http://magicmargin.blogspot.com/2010/08/hypothesis.html

3. The Process: http://magicmargin.blogspot.com/2010/08/process.html

4. Some results: http://magicmargin.blogspot.com/2010/09/results-of-weekly-typewriter-inventory.html

and http://magicmargin.blogspot.com/2010/09/weekly-typewriter-inventory-analysis.html andhttp://magicmargin.blogspot.com/2010/10/analysis-and-monks.html andhttp://magicmargin.blogspot.com/2010/12/young-truth.html

A New Acquisition

At $45 it was one of the more expensive Goodwill purchases I have ever made, but if you look at the following pictures you can see why I caved.

Now, the result shown here is less a product of the patented (not really) Magic Margin treatment and more a product of chance. I lucked out with a nice machine.

There are a few warts, but nothing that is too terrible.

An unusual key is always a nice addition. This one is called an obelus and is not always a mathematical sign. It can be a mark that signifies that some text is corrupted or spurious. The obelus can also be used for some fractional indications. 

The serial points this machine to the end of production year 1924. Earlier this afternoon I created a Typewriter Database entry for this typewriter and you can find it at: http://typewriterdatabase.com/1924-remington-portable.1298.typewriter If you haven't been participating in the TWD, go now. You are missing a great collector's tool.

How does it write? The platen is standard; hard. So, the entire feel of the typewriter is slightly off, but from what I have experienced so far, I have to say it's nice. Good feel. having the type bars so high up makes for a fairly light touch with a resounding whack.

Typewriter Story On NBC Tonight...This Feels Familiar

I got an email from Michelle from NBC a few minutes ago. It seems like the typewriter story about some of the Arizona Typosphere is going to air tonight. If you have a TV, tune in. I'll post a link as soon as it is available on their website. 

Typewriter Story on NBC Tonight...Probably

Michelle Melnick form NBC called me today with some good news. If NBC Nightly News isn't shortened because of a hockey game, then her story about typewriters should air tonight. I know she filmed my class, but she was also at MTE (Mesa Typewriter Exchange) and spent some time with Bill. If you happen to be near a TV check it out.

Tough break. When it's typewriters vs. bomb-sniffing dogs the bomb-sniffing dogs will always get the airtime. 

NBC Filming

A crew from NBC was here today taking a few shots and interviewing some of my students about the typewriters. I have to say the two girls and two boys they interviewed were articulate and very impressive. I snapped this quick pic of the camera and lights. Whenever I find out the air date, I'll let you know.

Type-In Geekery

The New Times Jackalope Ranch was kind enough to give the Phoenix Type-In scene another accolade in a recent post.

Lux et Veritas

I just got wind of this really great article about the Type-In. Click the title below to be whisked away. Make sure to carriage return!

Typewriter enthusiasts gather for Type-In at Lux in Phoenix

I want to thank Megan Finnerty for such a great article. She really asked some great questions and really portrayed the essence of the Type-In.

Know 99 Typewriter Story

The City of Phoenix has an education channel called Know 99. It's very local and very fun to watch. Many of the students from the Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU produce segments and this is one. It fell on the heels of the CBS story and, honestly, I forgot about it. It's these kinds of local things that give me the most pleasure. CBS Sunday Morning was awesome, but when your local educational community recognizes something, it's really nice.

 

The awful thing about seeing yourself on TV (or in this case the internet) you can really see where you need to shed some pounds. So, if you excuse me, I need to run up and down the stairs while holding a couple of Royals.