by Richard Polt | Nov 28, 2024 | Underwood
Robert G recently blogged about the “secret” numbers you can find stamped under the left front foot on many Underwoods. I pointed out that there’s also a mysterious number under the angular nickeled piece that covers the right end of the carriage....
by Richard Polt | Jul 23, 2024 | Olivetti, Olympia, Underwood
The brilliant, often baffling Brazilian writer Clarice Lispector (1920-1977) had a love affair with typewriters: specifically, an Underwood Finger-Flite Champion, an Olympia SF, and an Underwood Dora. I’ve found some photos and videos of her typing, and a couple...
by Richard Polt | Dec 29, 2022 | Underwood
Tonight I worked on a four-bank Underwood portable from 1929. It’s a fussy machine, with some awkward functions and tiny pieces that can easily get lost if you remove the platen and paper tray.Right around 1929, the company introduced snap-on ribbon covers with...
by Richard Polt | Feb 8, 2021 | Remington, Underwood
Two neat typewriters from 1939 just dropped in my lap. This Remington was donated to WordPlay Cincy by a local woman. It had been in her brother-in-law’s family for generations. She was glad to drop it off on my porch (social distancing!) and I promised her...
by Richard Polt | Sep 1, 2020 | Underwood
Here are some views of the latest machine that I’ve rescued from the basement, cleaned up, and put back into rotation. This model has been referred to as the tuxedo, the cop car, or the penguin. (OK, I just made up that last nickname.) This black-and-white...
by Richard Polt | Jul 20, 2020 | Burroughs, Cold Hard Type, Sholes Visible, Underwood
I don’t have a well-developed topic for a post, but thought I would publish a few notes on my recent activities. I continue to bike around Cincinnati in the early morning, before it gets too hot. Here’s a view from Mt. Storm Park just after sunrise today....
