Typewriters

[awalker1829]

Just a pic of the two desktop typewriters I got back from the shop this weekend. I took them up to Phoenix for servicing and repairs a few weeks ago. The repair bill was $200 for the Royal (on the left) and $260 for the L. C. Smith (on the right). The Royal needed a type bar repaired in addition to a full cleaning and servicing. The Smith needed a new draw band, which had to be made as they’re not available anymore.

The L. C. Smith is a Model No. 2, made in 1906 and the Royal is a Model No. 10 made in 1915. The No. 2 has a basket shift for the type bars (basket changes height), which was very advanced at that time as most typewriters used a carriage shift (carriage changes height) like the No. 10 does. You can also see that the placement of the carriage return arm is different on each machine. The Royal has it on the left side while the Smith has it on the right side. The style of the tab features on the machines differs too. The Royal has the button on the keyboard while the Smith has a bar above the keyboard for the tab feature.

Then there’s the shift lock feature that is present on both machines. On the Royal, the shift lock may be released by depressing either shift key. On the Smith, only the left shift key will release the shift lock.

Anyways, this picture hardly does either machine justice. The decals are in very good condition and both machines have a great deal of detailing. Either machine would have cost a secretary a small fortune in the day, and in those days the employee was often expected to provide their own typewriter. These machines were the equivalent of a high end computer in their day and can still be maintained in good working order. One of the machines will return to the office to be put back to actual work-yes, my job still has functions that require use of a typewriter. I have to use certified mail receipt cards and carbon less copy forms and to hand write those just wouldn’t look professional.

[ffuries]

Back when they made things look like works of art and made to last. They came out looking good.

[steelbuttplate]

That L.C. Smith or one similar is what we were taught typing with in High School 1973. Initially they wanted you to get the feel and muscle memory of manual keys, then after a few months we switched to electric. I used a L.C. at my job in Cherokee doing payroll one night a week. '75-'77.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Very nice I have two portables, one 1920's the other 30's, in the past I used these machines, both still work and I kept the ribbons fresh.

[qz2026]

I remember using a portable when I was in college. Yes, the days before PC's and word processing (do they still call it word processing anymore?) . Don't know what became of it though.. As I recall, I used to go through gallons of "white out"...

[awalker1829]

Back when they made things look like works of art and made to last. They came out looking good.

They went in looking good. What they needed was servicing for minor mechanical issues.