Blickcast I: Wherein the Author Hunts & Pecks

When you know where the keys are you can focus on the writing rather than where the letters are.

Isn't that question mark great?

Phoenix's Typewriter Repairman Video

Bill Wahl, a local typewriter celebrity, was featured on a segment on Arizona Highways TV this Sunday evening. Take a look at the video embedded below.

Bierce, The Mexican Desert, and Shiny Olivers

When people think of authors who use typewriters Ambrose Bierce isn't often mentioned. Maybe he's too sarcastic for lists, but looking for information on him I came across this typed letter from 1911:

Maybe someone can tell what type of typewriter he used, but it's clear that Bierce was comfortable using one. He even makes a typo by omitting a word. That makes me feel good. I am sure that by 1911 using using a typewriter to write wasn't that unusual. But not many authors were embedded in Panco Villa's army in Mexico.

Mexico was a land of Olivers. Especially, Olivers that are nickle-plated. Like this typewriter from the poet Ramon Lopez Velarde. (Fun lit fact: Octavio Paz studied Velarde and wrote a great deal about his influence in post-modern mexican poetry.)

Oliver realized that Mexico had been overlooked in the market and sent a man by the name of Parker to change that. Parker was able to introduce the country to the typewriter and the Oliver. At this point in 1911 if you wanted to buy a typewriter in Mexico it's likely you were buying an Oliver. They were used in all levels of the post-revolution republic. LC Smith did have some offices, but I think many companies were more concerned over the perceived danger of early republican Mexico. Richard Polt has a blog post about a nickle LC Smith that includes a mention of nickel Olivers. 

The mystery is: did Bierce use a nickel Oliver or did was he supplied a typewriter by his American editors? I am going to investigate this information further. It should be interesting whatever I discover.

Duality

Hot 100

Take a look at AZ Teen Magazine's list of the hottest 100 students and teachers and you will find me listed among them (page 28). I posted about this a while ago, but the magazine has just published. You can see the print version by clicking the image of the cover to the left. I will be signing typewriter's in my classroom after school. You know, because I am so famous and everything.

Orignal Work

A Poem for the 2nd Phoenix Type-In

In the Vale of Old Tempe,

Typewriters you shall see.

Olympia the home to the gods

and Hermes, winged sandal shod.

(both typewriters)

Monti's is where they go

at 1.  If the freeway's slow

1:30 will be fine enough.

No, parking isn't tough.

June 18th is the auspicious day

It will be sunny, Hey!

I shall see you there

lest thou be a human square.

Also keep thou in mind

Three guests you will find

At this event shooting video

for a little documentary-o.

Yes, this is the best poem you have ever read. No, it did not take long.