The joy of a new typewriter ribbon

June 21, 2020June 21, 2020 L.T. Hanlon1 Comment

Photo shows the following typewritten text. BEWARE OF HOT RIVETS. I was going to say that there’s nothing quite like the feeling of a new typewriter ribbon but that's not true. Other wonderful feelings include opening a fresh bag of coffee and smelling that great aroma; stepping from a barbershop into a windy day and delighting as a thousand crew-cut hairs urge you to be happy; an pulling on a warm pair of jeans fresh from the dryer ... but make sure you're wearing underwear.
What mundane experiences become transcendental to you? Sunday, June 21, 2020 — Chicago. Brother Opus 888

Using the Hovel pencil sharpener

June 20, 2020 L.T. HanlonLeave a comment

Typewritten text of the following. GETTING RIGHT TO THE POINT.
I just acquired a Hovel pencil sharpener. It's essentially a small wood plane that you stroke over a pencil's casing and lead. I never was any good at using normal-size planes, so perfecting my Hovel technique is taking a little work. With patience, it's possible to create a longer, sharper point than with most conventional sharpeners. In the photo above, I used a Kum Masterpiece on the yellow Blackwing and the Hovel on the Blackwing 602. Thanks to my pals Andy Pierce and Frank Mariani for letter me know about the Hovel sharpener! Olympia SM7 - Pica No. 12

Check out Frank Mariani’s art, editorial cartoons, and more.

I love my little brother

June 9, 2020June 9, 2020 L.T. Hanlon4 Comments

For your added enjoyment, this typecast has not been proofread, edited, or fact-checked. Typos and mistakes are Easter eggs. Enjoy!

Screws get loose

June 6, 2020June 6, 2020 L.T. HanlonLeave a comment

Image is a photo of a page of typewritten text that reads: CLOSE ENOUGH FOR WRITERS.
Although I love the feel, smell, and sound of typewriters, I’m also mindful of the reasons why so many people see these machines as charming but.
There's a reason why these things are so finicky: They're built from hundreds of parts and need to operate in a complex ballet.
Too often, that ballet degenerates into interpretive dance that's interpreting lord knows what.

This is the reason why prior to the Coming of the Computer, there were so many typewriter shops. Even small towns had a couple.
Joe Van Cleave has addressed this several times. Gears lose teeth, parts wear out, screws get loose. That's just part of the deal.
The need for repair and upkeep for type— writers was so great that a member of my extended family worked as a typewriter repairman in the Rocky Mountain West. He'd travel from town to town by train, often bn narrow gauge —— and call on businesses and individuals with typewriters. Probably quite the high—tech guy for his time.
But despite all that attention by mechanical technicians, typewriters forever retained their own characteristics. No kidnapper worth his salt would ever consider typing a ransom note.
I’ve often wondered whether U.S. police departments got writing samples from typewriters kept for public use in libraries. I’ll bet they did!
Olympia SM7 -- Chicago, Illinois

Typewriter aficionado, photographer, writer, and philosopher Joe Van Cleave covers this topic in much greater detail — and far better than I have here — in “Is Good Enough Good Enough?” If you’re interested in anything creative, Joe can steer you true.