Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Blog Post #5 EOTO: Typewriters; A Revolution in Written Communication

Pen and paper were the only tools for writing prior to the typewriter, which, through rapid and efficient printed text production, revolutionized communication worldwide. The typewriter allowed people and companies to produce printed text quickly and more effectively than in the past. The typewriter's impact on society and its beginnings is in-depth and the invention of the typewriter is one that has made a lasting impact on printed communication even today.

In 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes invented the inaugural typewriter. Sholes, a printer and newspaper editor from Wisconsin, fashioned the machine to ease the arduous process of typesetting articles. Collaborating with Carlos Glidden, Samuel W. Soule, and James Densmore, Sholes then fashioned a functioning prototype.


The first typewriter wasn't simple and easy to use, but it quickly caught the attention of businesses and writers and its booming growth made it popular. As the typewriter advanced, it overcame several early limitations like slow typing speed and frequent jamming. This transformation made it a popular tool for writing professionals such as journalists, writers, and secretaries. The typewriter maintained its popularity throughout most of the 20th century but was slowly replaced by computers and word processors in the 1980s and 1990s.

The typewriter had a large impact on the world of communication. Transforming the way we write and produce written media. It had impacts on a lot of sectors of the world but its most prominent impacts were increased efficiency, standardization, accessibility, women's rights, journalism, and literature.

It made it possible to produce typed/written documents in shorter periods of time with strong legibility that could be read much better than handwritten, This increased the efficiency of many companies and businesses by creating more professional-looking documents. The typewriter also allowed individuals to communicate more effectively knowing that all type was legible and understandable by readers.

The invention continued to help make standardized written communication by creating a uniform appearance for all text. This was especially important in journalism, which is where they needed to convey a sense of professionalism and consistency. It also allowed reporters to produce stories in a timely manner. At the time it took a while for news to spread and most of it was all word of mouth. With the advancements of the typewriter, reporters were able to produce and distribute stories at a much faster pace than they were originally.

Women's rights were advanced during the period of the typewriter by creating a new way for women to learn and earn a living. Many women received roles in companies and businesses as typists which allowed women to gain a new sense of independence and support themselves financially. The typewriter was accessible as it became more popular and easier to use it helped those who were not skilled with handwriting convey messages and communication. This helped promote literacy and education for all.

The typewriter had many beneficial impacts, but it also had several drawbacks. The decrease of handwriting was one of the most significant impacts. As the use of typewriters increased, people lost their habit of writing by hand. As a result, people's penmanship ability and appreciation for the technique of handwriting decreased.

The typewriter has some detrimental effects on the environment as well. The creation of the machines used a lot of metal and other resources, and when they were no longer needed, they frequently ended up in landfills. Typewriter use also contributed to the creation of pollutants like carbon emissions, which had a negative impact on the environment.

The typewriter was a ground-breaking invention that revolutionized the way we communicate and write. It allowed for the speedy and effective production of clean, readable language while also opening up new career prospects for women. Although it had some adverse consequences on the environment and handwriting, overall, it had a very favorable effect on the world. Collectors and enthusiasts still value typewriters today as a reminder of a bygone age of communication technology.


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