Hipsters have resurrected and created many style trends. One of those trends is writing with a real typewriter.
Using a vintage typewriter goes against the popular culture of the digital age. Using one in public is sure to attract attention.
Commercial typewriters were first introduced in 1874 but did not become common in offices until after the mid-1880s. Then, they became a popular accessory.
Some famous artists and writers still use their old typewriters, too.
Generations have been raised on computers. These generations are now scouring the country for manual and vintage typewriters.
Here, we’ll cover what you need to know and share some amazing vintage typewriters you can buy and clack away on at home!
QUICK LOOK: OUR 3 FAVORITES
ROYAL EXCLUSIVE MANUAL TYPEWRITER
ROYAL EPOCH MANUAL TYPEWRITER
CONSUL 231.2 VINTAGE TYPEWRITER
What is a Vintage-style Typewriter?
A vintage typewriter requires nothing but a ribbon and some paper—no electricity or Wi-Fi required to run it.
A typewriter used to be called a "Typographer". It produces characters similar to those produced by a printer's movable type.
The strength needed to push the keys on an old-fashioned typewriter may feel foreign, but this tactile quality may benefit your writing!
Did you know that the gun manufacturer, E. Remington and Sons, also fashioned typewriters?
Vintage Typewriters as an Artistic Medium
Vintage typewriters are used to create unique art pieces by typing letters, numbers, and punctuation marks onto a paper sheet. Fantastic works of art have been made, including landscapes and portraits.
One such artist is James Cook, who recently completed a picture for a customer using 100,000 typewritten characters!
As an emerging poet, sitting on the street with a folding TV tray, your manual typewriter, paper, and a sign, you could create poetry for the people.
The Appeal of Vintage Typewriters
Hipsters value independent thought, art appreciation, intelligence, and creativity, which is why the use of dated technology is a fashion statement for them.
Hipsters reject the attitudes of mainstream society, such as consumerism. They are also concerned about the environment.
A lot of hipsters don’t use gadgets such as cell phones and computers. Security of what you type on a manual typewriter is increased as you are not vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Whatever you write isn’t sent across the internet; it is just there on the page.
Vintage typewriters can be collectible. Some models are beautifully ornate, making them even more valuable to the collector
Manual typewriters are generally inexpensive, and the cost to change the ink ribbon is far less than toner or ink cartridges used in modern printers.
Independence from electrical and digital networks is appealing to hipsters. As typewriters work manually and function just about anywhere, they are perfect for remote locations or where electrical service is intermittent.
The power to operate a manual typewriter comes from your muscles. A manual typewriter will never pollute!
Some Hipster Typewriters for the Aspiring Writer in You
We can thank hipster authors for reminding us that an old-fashioned typewriter can bring out the creativity in us.
In the following sections, we’ll go over some of the best vintage inspired typewriters for today’s hipsters:
Royal Exclusive Classic Manual Typewriter
royal exclusive manual typewriter
Royal Classic portable manual typewriter includes manual sturdy retro metal housing for durability, spacebar repeat key, variable line spacing and ribbon selector.
This vintage-style typewriter is perfect for aspiring writers. If you prefer nostalgic decor, a retro look, or an escape from digital technology, this is for you.
- Portable
- All metal construction
- A true “wireless device”
- Includes pre-installed ribbon
- Storage case
- Owner’s manual
- Tactile quality
This typewriter comes in several other colors, such as mint, purple, and red.
Vintage typewriters are a work of art. Look at some decor websites under typewriters, and you will find art prints and sculptures of them.
With the bright colors they come in today, you can bring the modern world’s boldness combined with the past’s nostalgia to your home or office.
Manual Typewriter: Royal Epoch
royal epoch manual typewriter
This manual typewriter has spacebar repeater key, 44 keys, 88 characters, 11' typing width, 11.6" maximum print width, and 12.5" carriage.
Some manual typewriting enthusiasts participate in what is called a Type-in. Activities that may be involved at a typical Type-in are: speed typing competition, stationary distribution, envelope, stamp distribution; typed letter-writing session; typewriter swaps and sales.
- Unique home decor piece
- Delightful sounds of the keys striking the paper
- The beloved sound of the “ding” and “zip” of the return carriage
- 44 keys & 88 characters
- Space bar repeater key
- Carrying case included
- Keys are light to the touch
- Modern and classic influences
- Sturdy
- Built to last
- Ideal for beginners or experienced users
If you are looking for a ‘real’ typewriter feel, you may not like the keys’ lightness. This typewriter was designed for those who want a manual typewriter but with modern style keys.
Type-ins have been held in bookstores, libraries, and cafes. The first was born on December 18, 2010, in Philadelphia, at Bridgewater’s Pub in 30th Street Station.
Consul 231.2 Manual Typewriter
consul 231.2 vintage typewriter
Vintage typewriter Consul in a beautiful delicate colours: baby blue and cream white. It was made in 1960's. It has qwertz, POLISH keyboard.
Usually, hipsters prefer to buy second-hand items to boycott large corporations in their buying choices.
This is an actual vintage typewriter in good working condition. The original warranty certificate and the original cleaning brush make for a great display and conversation piece.
- Qwertz keyboard
- Metal top
- Mechanical parts are metal
- Case included
- Original warranty certificate
- Original cleaning brush
Writing at a computer invites distraction. When typing on a manual typewriter, there are no ads or email alerts to divert you.
While using a vintage typewriter with no distractions, you will find freedom in expressing your creativity as it will be just the typewriter and your thoughts.
Typecast Retro Typewriter by We R Memory Keepers
typecast retro typewriter
This retro style typewriter has ink colors available (sold separately), and is a black-colored typewriter.
A manual typewriter can also be used for paper crafting. You can easily add type to your journaling layouts, cards, and more!
- Retro style
- Unique ink color available
- Use for cardmaking
- Journaling layouts
- Made with top-quality internal metal mechanics
- An attractive home decor piece
There are many uses for a good old-fashioned typewriter. Adding a nostalgic look to your papercrafts is one, as well as for decoration.
Other crafty uses for a manual typewriter include parenting tips being typed out for new parents at a baby shower. Additionally, nostalgic cards with heartfelt sentiments for Valentine’s day would look cute with typewritten letters.
Olivetti Lettera DL / Lettera 33
olivetti lettera dl
Boldly dressed in leather, the DL is skirted by faux metal caging that locks around the shape. It flirts with a little red Tab button, but the design of this typewriter is razor-sharp. This is a typewriter that is fast and bold.
This typewriter model was what Francis Ford Coppola used when he wrote the script for “The Godfather”!
- Designed by Ettore Sottsass
- Faux metal caging
- Dressed in leather
- Fast and bold
Ettore Sottsass was an Italian architect and designer during the 20th century. He designed typewriters, but he also designed furniture, jewelry, glass, lighting, home objects, and office machine design, as well as many buildings and interiors.
Because of the history of this model, it would make a great collector’s item. You are collecting typewriters to collect your thoughts.
USB Typewriter Conversion Kit + Bluetooth
usb typewriter conversion kit
This conversion kit will let you upgrade your old manual typewriter into a computer keyboard or iPad dock, quickly and easily. Anyone can do this modification -- absolutely no soldering is involved, and no special tools are necessary.
If you are more of a modernist hipster, you may enjoy this USB typewriter conversion kit. The kit works with your vintage manual typewriter and turns it into a computer keyboard.
- Unique
- Groundbreaking
- Best of both worlds
- USB
- Bluetooth
- Manual typewriter conversion
You can use the kit to convert any modern computer, laptop, tablet, or even smartphone.
This kit allows you to type on paper without the screen while saving your work directly to your typewriter’s micro-SD card. It fits onto the undercarriage of your typewriter.
Qwerkywriter S Typewriter Inspired Retro Mechanical Wired & Wireless Keyboard with Tablet Stand
QWERKYWRITER S TYPEWRITER
The Qwerkywriter S is the original typewriter inspired mechanical keyboard. Integrated tablet stand up to 12 inches and a macro programmable Return Bar!
You can have the vintage feel and sound of a manual typewriter but with all the modern device functionality. This model is the original typewriter inspired mechanical keyboard.
- Scratch-resistant aluminum alloy chassis
- 15 programmable characters
- Built-in integrated tablet stand
- Typewriter inspired keycaps
- Bluetooth connectivity for up to 3 devices
- High-performance levels
- Dual function scroll knobs for volume and page scroll
- Programmable return bar
- Wired USB mode
- ‘Clicky’ switches for tactile feedback
This keyboard allows for mobility for use with your tablet. With this, you will need to have a charged battery and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Final Thoughts
If there's anything you've learned from this article, it's one thing: hipsters enjoy using more straightforward products that don't make much of a mark on the environment.
While manual typewriters have fallen out of use since the rise of the word processor and personal computers, they've seen a resurgence due to their simplicity, portability, and their benefit to help you focus while you write.
Instead of purchasing new technology and contributing to big business, hipsters have learned to use vintage items such as typewriters to help make less of a mark on the environment while also using something that didn't have to be produced as it was already made.
Along the way, hipsters have found other benefits like the ability to focus better with a manual typewriter, the soothing sound of the click, clack of the keys, and the freedom of not requiring electricity or the internet.
With a manual typewriter, you can type anywhere you want, whenever you want!