The typewriter: influence on communications technology

Without the invention of the typewriter, would the computer have enjoyed its worldwide popularity today? Would you be reading these words if it weren’t for the invention of the keyboard? When you think of ease of use while typing compositions that appear on your computer monitor screen, we must never forget the celebrated invention of the typewriter.

Mastering the use of the typewriter comes with the tag team precision of eye-brain-hand coordination. During my high school tenure, typing classes were taught as an elective. Typewriters were extremely popular at the time, due to a high demand in secretarial careers. Accuracy and the number of words typed per minute were primary requirements for secretarial positions.

The evolution of the typewriter dates back to around 1713. An English engineer, Henry Mill, obtained the first patent for an English typewriter in 1714, but never actually manufactured it. The first American typewriter patent was granted to William A. Burt, a Detroit inventor in 1829 who introduced the typesetter. Burt’s method was designed to transcribe letters singularly and progressively, one after the other on paper.

The first practical typewriter, called the “Sholes & Glidden Type Writer”, was conceived and invented by Christopher Latham Sholes, Samuel Soulé and Carlos Glidden. The Type Writer was marketed by the arms manufacturers, E. Remington & Sons. The keyboard layout was considered remarkable enough to be included in Sholes’ patent, granted in 1878. The typewriter worked very well for beginners, but for professionals, modifications had to be made. The problem arose when the increased typing speed caused an issue with the keys sticking. Therefore, this influenced the invention of the QWERTY typewriter by Christopher Latham Sholes. The letters “Q, W, E, R, T” and “Y” beginning with the first row of letters from the left on the keyboard, gave the design its name. It was also called the “Universal” keyboard.

The transition of development from the typewriter to the computer keyboard resulted from the introduction of the teletype machine which combined the technology of the typewriter with the mechanics of the telegraph. The first machines only typed capital letters. The home keys (where the typist’s fingers rest) are “ASDF” for the left fingers and “JKL”; for the right fingers.

It is noted that Mark Twain was the first author to submit a “typewritten” manuscript to his publisher. Clearly, through the evolution of typewriters, the typewriter had a major impact on professionals, students, and anyone who wanted to leave a written impression in an organized and tasteful manner. It is evident that the nobility of the legendary typewriter makes its way through the evolution of typewriter history.