Vintage typewriters

Whilst a 1714 patent granted to the Englishman Henry Mill appears to be for a typewriter of sorts, it was not until the 19th century that the modern typewriter began to evolve.

This was arguably Frenchman Xavier Progin's 1833 creation which was originally called 'Machine Kryptographique'.

Several typewriters featured in the 1851 Great Exhibition which was held in London's Hyde Park.

However, real success came later in the 1880's with Remington when they mastered the technical problems of production as well as successfully convincing a previously somewhat indifferent public.

For the next hundred years, the typewriter became an indispensable tool for the office, and occasionally for the home. In first world countries it has been completely superceded by the personal computer, but in less wealthy countries its use continues, although at a declining rate.

The major typewriter manufacturers were Adler, Remington, IBM, Imperial Typewriters, Olivetti, Olympia, Royal more... Typewriter Company, Smith Corona and Underwood. less...