Having read this title, many will decide that the era of classical typewriters has long been completed. Computers, laptops, sensory gadgets have supplanted the inventions of the last century. However, the typewriter is still popular among creative people and in some state organizations, especially as the modern electronic goods market offers convenient writing devices. Among the variety of devices you can find one that will support the very atmosphere of creativity and meet the requirements of progress.
The device of the typewriter
The technical devices of the XIX-XX centuries are a device equipped with a set of keys, the press of which leads to the appearance of printed characters on the carrier paper. The history of the creation of the machine begins its existence in 1714. In Russia, the first writing device was produced in 1928, it was called "Yanalif".Later, portable devices "Moscow", "Lubava" and office "Yatran", "Ukraine" were distributed. Of foreign brands, "Optima", "Erica", "Robotron" were popular. The principle of operation of printing devices is described below.
Mechanical
The letters are applied to paper using special levers that end with plastic or metal letters. When the button is pressed, the lever strikes the ink-soaked tape, so that the letter feed remains on the input paper. The sheet is shifted automatically. The design of the typewriter is 4 types:
- With a cylinder. The font is placed on an elongated cylinder that moves back and forth to pick up the letter, after which the hammer beats from the back side, typing a sign on the paper.
- With levers. Imprint is obtained by hitting the paper with a lever located in the slots of the segment.
- With ball. The letters are printed on the writing head, which moves along the typing. These typewriters are printed in different fonts.
- With chamomile. This invention is a specific carrier of matrices, from which the imprint is taken. On each petal of a camomile is placed one sign.
Electronic
Modern devices are hybrids of classic printing devices and computers. The electronic typewriter is equipped with a small E-Ink-display, on which the text is displayed. For work, electronic ink is used, so your eyes will not get tired. The printing device has compact dimensions, a capacious battery, which allows to operate autonomously up to 4 weeks. The collected material is stored in the device's memory and when connected to the wireless network is transferred to the virtual storage, where you can download the file from any gadget.
Buy
New machines can be found on the market, but the manufacturer significantly reduced their production. The appearance of modern devices is far from the old models, and does not inspire that atmosphere. If you want to buy a typewriter, which has already become a rarity, see private ads, for example, on Avito. Many old instruments are still in working order and can serve not only as a decoration of the collection.
Yatran
This domestic printing mechanism was produced in Kirovograd from 1975 to 1995.There are several modifications of the machine that touch the length of the carriage( short, medium, long), the material of the body( aluminum, plastic).The manufacturer has created 12 models. Characteristics of the printing apparatus:
- Name: Yatran.
- Price: second-hand models cost 1000-10000 rubles.
- Works with 7 alphabets, font type "Peak", "Medium".The length of the printed string is 305 and 435 mm. Models have an electromechanical drive unit block printing and carriage return. The number of print keys is 46, the number of characters is 92. There are 5 values of the line spacing( from 4.25 to 12.75 mm).
- Pros: high quality printing, the instruction contains a detailed description of how to use the device.
- Cons: heavy, models with plastic levers break fast.
Underwood
One of the most popular typewriters from the United States. The first two models were produced between 1896 and 1900.Particularly successful was the release of Underwood # 5: in the early 1920s, more than a million units were sold. Later machines began to be equipped with mechanisms that perform operations of addition and subtraction. Before the Second World War, the manufacturer created the world's largest typewriter. In 1959, the controlling interest in Unverwood was acquired by Olivetti. Device Characteristics:
- Title: Underwood.
- Price: buy a typewriter for 9000-16000 rubles.
- The machine is compact and stylish, it has horizontal letter levers. The keyboard is equipped with 42 keys and 90 characters. There are three types of devices with different lengths of the carriage, two font sizes: standard and large.
- Pros: The device is light, easy to care for, the correct design of the device minimizes typos, even in the photo you can see an elegant design.
- Cons: high cost, the buyer needs to look for the goods from individuals who can put inappropriate prices.
Lubava
The typewriter is a licensed copy of "Erica" produced by the GDR.Buy a typewriter in the USSR was relatively easy, because the price of its two models was 180 and 190 rubles( after 1983).Product specifications:
- Title: Ljubava.
- Price: 1000-3500 р.
- The case of the device is plastic, the bottom of black color, under the keys is missing. The number of keys is 44, the length of the printing line is 225 and 305 mm, three variants of the interlacing interval. The diameter of the scroll shaft is 32.3 mm. Through the carbon copy you can get 3 clear copies.
- Pros: The models are light( 5.2 and 5.7 kg), they have small dimensions, which make it possible to carry the machine to any place.
- Cons: The machine is completely mechanical, so for its normal operation you need a thorough care - regular cleaning and lubrication. The plastic case is not susceptible to damage.
Olivetti
How much does a typewriter of high quality and long-standing year worth? A monetary equivalent is valued by collectors who know what kind of goods they are dealing with. However, even the early machines of Olivetti do not belong to the rarity category, so knowledgeable people sell them at a low price. Modern models are also inexpensive. Favorable announcements from private traders can be found not only in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also throughout Russia. Product specifications:
- Name: Olivetti.
- Price: 1200-1500 р.
- The electric typewriter uses the type of printing with chamomile. It is equipped with a cartridge, which must be periodically changed or refilled. The length of the line is 228 mm, there are 5 variants of the line spacing, correction of typos.
- Pros: low price, light weight.
- Cons: inconvenience when working with a cartridge.
Optima
Machines produced by the GDR were popular in the 50s of last century. There are a lot of running models - Elite 2, Elite 3, M12, M14 and others. However, the Optima factory did not last long, and soon Zentronik Robotron became a monopolist in East Germany. Characteristics of the popular model:
- Name: Optima M12 /
- Price: 1500-3000 р.
- The mechanical printing device has a carriage width of 32 cm. There are 5 variants of intervals, 46 keys and 92 letters.
- Pros: row guides are made of a transparent material that does not close the printed text, there is a key for unraveling the literal levers.
- Cons: not detected.