Electric Typing
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- Опубліковано 26 лют 2023
- #typewriter #electrictype #typing #writing
Joe discusses the differences between using manual and electric typewriters and considers the question of should we modify our typing technique for electric machines.
For more on electric typewriters check out this video: • Typewriter Video Serie...
Back in the old days of secretaries and typists, our desks had a ‘return,’ a shorter desk table at the side that held the typewriter. Therefore, your hands were held higher up from the keyboard and you avoided parts of your hands hitting keys accidentally. Drove me crazy seeing typewriters on top of desks in “Mad Men.”
Thank you!
The brown theme you got going is very nice :D
I never really bothered to learn how to tpuch type on my manual typewriter specifically because the imprint quality was not consistent. However, I was able to develop a reliable typing speed with excellent accuracy using index, middle, and ring fingers -- good enough for most of the typing that I do. The left pinky is mostly responsible for L-shift and margin-release OR backspace, depending on whether I am using my Smith-Corona or Olympia.
Learned my typing on an IBM selectric II and III in 1988. One of the most valuable skills I picked up in high school.
I find that I don’t have the pinky or ring finger strength to properly touch type on manual typewriters. However, I do touch type on electrics.
Also, I feel more comfortable typing when I place the machine on a low table. I use a folding wooden TV tray and sit in a vintage office chair; this places the typewriter just barely above my lap. I tried sitting at a normal desk with a typewriter and it was very uncomfortable to have my arms that high.
I enjoy your typing and photography videos, by the way!
Always enjoy your videos. So much fun and always interesting. Thank you!!
Yes! Let's let go of the pressure of forcing ourselves to type in a way that is counterintuitive; after all, who is it for if not for us. We don't need to use a technique for the sake of it if it's not achieving practical usable results.
M.m
Typewriting is still my best skill since I was 12 years old. The typewriter was my main apparatus upon entering junior high school and toward graduating from high school. I liked typewriting my homework assignments better because it was cleaner and quicker than using the traditional ink pen to paper. Now, I do all of my keyboarding, as good-old-fashioned typewriting on a microcomputer. That is a convenience and the microcomputer works like a [powerful] typewriter with full strength. Your explanations speak like helpful hints, especially for experienced typists and keyboard specialists. This show enlightens me very much.
Thanks for your final words! I would rather have the Olympia as I currently own three Smith-Coronas -that I thought was a British make and. It an American one- as my dad’s Corsair was made in England!
I hope that your wife’s Olympia gets the new platen and paper pressure rollers as well!
You make a very good point. In my profession I have to type constantly, short and precise stuff. I always use my 3-4 finger method because I know it will work reliably.
When I'm at home, typing for myself, touch typing is a more viable option, because I don't mind errors so much and because I'm under no time pressure.
I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle, because truly good touch-typers will probably still be faster and more efficient. However, there are not many of those left, methinks.
Kind regards,
Alex
IMHO, it's definitely faster to *write* by looking at the keyboard (a la the sports writers), but much faster to *transcribe* by touch typing (with your caveat that you need to slow down a bit to go fastest).
East Germany in the 60s was not under Soviet occupation, it was part of th Soviet Block but there is a difference. The occupation was in 45-48 (if I recall correctly).
Joe, something that is rarely discussed is the fact that most typewriters were designed for WOMEN...in the old days it was women who were secretaries, women who populated office typing pools, women who were office clerks...the vast majority of heavy duty typing in commerce and industry was done by women. Matter of fact, you never see a man pictured in an old typewriter ad or typewriter instruction manual. The boss, if he typed anything at all, sat there and slowly hunt and pecked out a brief letter, but very few men touch typed. The light touch of electric typewriters I think was designed with women in mind, who the male designers of these machines perceived as having smaller, weaker hands and would appreciate the light touch of an electric, and thought is would improve their productivity. Indeed, I knew a woman who could type at least 100 wpm error free on an electric typewriter. Her hands barely moved, only her small fingers would lightly tap the key tops. I think men have a hard time being that delicate.
Most writers were men. Especially in science fiction craze in 50s. Don`t tell me they did not use typewriters. Or there were MANLY models ? 😄
The brown theme is beautiful like leather and coffee is beautiful. Joe, do you find your creativity flowing better while sitting at an attractive machine? Like are you more inspired by a 50s green machine compared to a large gray office typewriter? And does this idea apply to the distinction between electrics and manuals?
I personally don't feel inspired to sit at an electric
Aesthetics are definitely a part of inspiration at a typewriter. As for electrics and inspiration, perhaps the idea doesn’t sound inspiring, but once I sit down at one and find that comfortable typing position like I described here, the machine sort of melts away into the background and the words flow effortlessly.
@@Joe_VanCleave Awesome thank you. I'm not a very creative person, so this helps. I will keep this in mind for some stream of consciousness stuff
In 10th grade we had touch typing class which I never could do well which I now realize that it had something to do with dyslexia...I made a lot of spelling errors. I was self conscious about it and from then on, I was a two fingered typist as I think it gave me more time to think about the spelling and not produce any errors. Now that I am 74 and got into typewriters in the last few years, I think my typing speed has actually increased with two fingers and don't care so much about errors.
I learned to type on manual typewriter in school in the 80s. A course from RSA (Royal Society of Arts) which was the industry standard for office work. As a result I am to this day heavy handed on any keyboard. We did have a couple of electric typewriters but some kids would get in early and we had to take what we could get. I prefer manuals. These days I don't do much touch typing for the reasons you describe. Two fingers much easier
Yes for two fingers!
I still use 8 fingers and my right thumb. Therefore, I need not to typewrite quickly, unless a document is being dictated to me orally. It gets the job done.
I'm a two-finger typist on a manual typewriter, sometimes my left hand ring and middle fingers sneak in, which is weird because I'm right handed. For consistency of imprint, speed, and accuracy, it's two fingers all the way.
I took typing class in 1975, 7th grade. We brought our own. Mine was an old black manual without the tabulator, don’t remember exactly what it looked like…came from my Grandmother’s house. It could’ve been any of the 30s or 40s shiny black typewriters.
I think it depends on the source as well. Schools want you to be able to read something while typing away, whereas reporters typically won't need that.
Since, most of us that collect, type in a stream of consciousness manner, there is not a need for touch typing.
I two-finger type on my manuals, but how would that work on an electric? The keyboard isn't as tilted as manuals are, and it doesn't look like the technique would be as comfortable. Have you tried it?
I've tried two-finger typing and find it works for me, but I find it comfortable (for me) to rest the base of my palms on the two front corners of the keyboard, so I don't have to support the weight of my arms.
I find myself typing more accurately two-fingered with type bar electrics because when touch-typing with my arms unsupported, I tend to rest the weight of my arms on the keyboard which can trigger unwanted keystrokes, due to the short key throw and ease of typing with electrics.
@@Joe_VanCleave I'm going to have to take the plunge and add one to the collection.
Do you know of any good sellers on Ebay who sell typewriters?
Call John Lewis: johnlewismechanicalantiques.com
@@Joe_VanCleave thank you I'll check it out
Two finger typing is like saying you play a piano by banging away with two fingers. Touch typing is really playing the typewriter.
Comparing sports box score gents to what the pros in offices could produce fast and mistake free? So off base.
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I got a copy of “20th Century Typing” similar to what we used in HS and have a blast just doing the drills. Touch typing is art. Two finger bangers are jv.
Don’t be jv…
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