Tribute to the Typewriter

"Simply put, I type to stay physically fit and to maintain a healthy lifestyle." Somebody is nuts.

He's probably used to that kind of ribbon. Get it... ribbon? Ribbin'? Ahem. Sorry.

You know, three weeks ago I woulda thought this person was wack... but since my job requires me to use a typewritter almost every day, I can appreciate what he is saying. I still think, however, that computers have something over typerwritters: SPELL CHECK! ;)

At my previous job, every two years I had to fill out a form that said I had done some paperwork that gave me permission to let students conduct polls in my technical writing classes. The form only asked for a few bits of information, but in huge capital letters it insisted that I type it all out. Two years would go by without me touching a typewriter, and then this form would arrive in the (snail) mail. It took me much longer than necessary to fill out that form, because I had to re-learn how to use an electric typewriter. Having said all that, I did type my first short stories on my mom's old manual typewriter -- it was probably the one she took to college with her in the 50s.