How to Operate a Typewriter

A technology that's been around since the 1870s, the typewriter still has devoted fans. Typewriters are prized for the characteristic clicking of their hammers--and for the simplicity of using them. This article will help get you started with your typewriter.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Typewriter
• Ink ribbon
• Correction ribbon or correction fluid

Operating a typewriter

1. Obtain and install ink and, if applicable, correction ribbons in your typewriter (see link in Resources). Since the specifications for these vary by manufacturer, use the instructions provided with your typewriter and ribbons.

2. Set up your typewriter on a level surface. Typewriters are distinctly desktop machines. With the platen (roller) in the center position, insert a piece of paper, normally around the back of the platen and up through to the front by turning the dial (called the platen knob) on the side of the roller away from you.

3. Practice typing on the typewriter. Because it is only the force of your hand which brings the hammer into contact with the paper, it is necessary to type much harder and more swiftly on a typewriter than it is on a computer keyboard.

4. Advance to the beginning of the next line by moving the carriage release lever over to the right and pushing the entire carriage to the right. To advance to the next line on the paper, simply click the carriage release lever twice. See link in Resources for a diagram of a typewriter and its parts.

5. Use the correction ribbon to type over errors. Move the platen back into position over the text you would like to correct by using the platen knob and type over with the correction ribbon. If your typewriter has no correction ribbon, use correction fluid to remedy typing errors.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with the keyboard, and explore keys which may be unfamiliar, such as the Shift Lock key, which does the work of holding down the otherwise hard to handle Shift key. Expect to work slowly at first and gradually increase your speed as your comfort with the typewriter increases.
• Sometimes when typing rapidly, multiple hammers are struck at once, with ultimately none of them making contact with the paper. Manually untangle the hammers, move the roller back into position and continue typing.

Resources

• New typewriters
• Ribbons
• Typewriter diagram