Vintage typewriters & why I need one now.

There are things that need to be done. Namely: My memo, my outlines, studying for finals, listening this how-to-study-and-write-great-essays-thing, watching barbri videos, organizing my notes, and of course, because my professors are sadists, there’s still the regularly assigned reading to do. 

But instead of doing any of that, I keep thinking about how this one fiction piece I have is so close to being finished, and if I just finish that one story, I will feel on top of the world and finish the rest of what actually needs to be done. 

But I can’t finish that story because I am sick of staring at my computer screen ALL. DAY.

So I need a typewriter. To finish the story, to be happy, to forget about how stressed out I am, and to tackle my schoolwork. And all will be right with the world. You see my point? A typewriter will get me into the top quarter. It’s an indirect component in the whole scheme of things, but I’m pretty sure this is the only thing stopping me from making an A in civil procedure. 

The Olivetti Valentine is my number one dream typewriter that’s way too freakin expensive. In 1969 for whatever reason, Ettore Sottsass decided to design a typewriter. And 40 years later, I <3 it. Shortly after designing the Valentine, Sottsass said he was no longer into designing for the consumer, because the consumerist mind was dangerous. I think if he read that above preceding paragraph describing why I need a vintage typewriter, he’d use it as exhibit A. 

As far as I knew, they only came in firehouse red, but I recently came across this pink one. I wonder if it’s painted… BUT LOOK HOW CUTE IT IS!

Anyway. Glass keys. That’s something the post-1960s set does not boast, and it makes me sad. Granted, plastic and glass  probably would look a little odd together, so I understand the switch. 

It’s hard to find a working one with glass keys, but I found this on Etsy.  Royal stopped making typewriters in the 70s. Olivetti bought them out. I guess the mod wave took over, and people wanted colored plastic, instead. 

This is a Royal from 1936.

Finally, (I know, I fail for not including a Smith Corona, but whatever) - there’s this beautiful, beautiful behemoth of a typewriter that will have absolutely no use whatsoever than to look pretty and make me believe that I could be Hemingway or Sylvia (both used Royals) with a ridiculously big Royal. And Look! A window! How does this not make you delirious?

Unfortunately, I am not delusional. I know spending 800 dollars (yes, that’s how much my Olivetti Valentine costs) is not the answer to the piles of work I have before me. It’s not even the answer to my writer’s block. But mayhaps, if I do well, I could gift myself one of these. Yes! Motivation! Typewriters, proving their worth, once again.