Experience the mechanical charm and creative inspiration that comes from typing on vintage typewriters. Stay tuned for the details about Madison’s very own type-in event, now being planned. Enjoy sitting down with paper and seeing your words form with ink like people did before computers. Share history and connect with other people in person or through what you type!
Wisconsin claims the typewriter as its own: Christopher Latham Sholes invented the first practical typewriter and the QWERTY keyboard in Milwaukee. Before that, Sholes was a state legislator who represented Kenosha.
No. Typewriter collectors are sharing their own vintage typewriters for you to use, with help and guidance available. Just show up ready to type.
Collectors and their typewriters are welcome and encouraged. To make planning easier, please email Brian Krause at brian@typeinmadison.com with a hint of what you might want to bring.
An assortment of paper and envelopes will be provided and typewriters will have ribbons ready to go, some with color. Any clean paper that accepts ink and rolls around the platen will work, even weird sizes or thicknesses that would jam up a laser printer.
Thank-you notes, letters to your elected officials, envelopes with old-time flair, recipe cards for the kitchen—whatever you’d like.
Absolutely. All ages are welcome. It’s a great way for young people to experience writing without screens and for families to share a unique creative activity together.
For more information or to get updates, email the organizer, Brian Krause, at brian@typeinmadison.com.
Brian Krause is a typewriter collector in Madison, the author of “The Old-School Typewriter Algebra Workbook” and the creator of the Typewriter FX Photo Filter app for iPhones and iPads.