It was a match made in heaven when I first set eyes on the beautiful, glossy-black, portable, 1935 Royal typewriter. It was quietly sitting on the store shelf, just waiting for someone to come along and take it home. I looked admiringly at the shiny glass and chrome keys, and ran a finger along the shiny black finish. I ended up leaving the typewriter sitting on the store shelf that day, but for the next two weeks, the little typewriter continued to pop up in my thoughts. After talking it over with my husband Joey, I decided that I would get the little typewriter as an early birthday present. I was very excited to go back to the store and see if the typewriter was still there.
The day finally arrived when we would make the trip into town and I could visit the store. After walking in, I went right over to the shelf where the typewriter had been displayed. Oh no! My heart sank. It was gone. I continued to look around in the hopes that it had been moved to a new display. Finally, in the back of the store, I spotted it! It was sitting in it’s case on a short shelf. I was thrilled to see it again! Joey purchased the typewriter and we were on our way home.
Once home, I immediately took the typewriter out of it’s case and set it up on the dining room table. It was just wonderful! The finish on the body and keys looked pristine. As I typed, the keys made that wonderful clickety-clack sound that is completely missing in today’s computer keyboards. My little girl was very interested in the typewriter and said, “Turn it on!”. I explained to her that it was “on”. Her look of surprise quickly turned to delight as I showed her how the typewriter worked. She sat typing happily away and exclaimed that she was, “never typing on a computer again!”. I knew exactly how she felt!
Of course, I will keep typing on the computer. It’s really inevitable if I want to continue writing for my blog, using the Internet, or doing the million and one things that we use computers for today. But, it will never be the same as my lovely little Royal typewriter. There’s nothing as satisfying as hearing the clack of the keys and listening to the “ding” when you reach the end of a line.
Not only has the little typewriter stolen my heart, it’s also stolen my imagination. As I type along, I can’t help but wonder what other fingers have typed on those keys. What sorts of letters and documents has this machine produced? Maybe letters to old friends? Recipes for a country kitchen? Possibly even office papers for a secretary or businessman? It’s been many years since 1935. Our country has been through many changes in that time, and this little typewriter has been around for all of them.
As well as the past, my thoughts also run ahead to the future. This sturdy machine was made to last. I am sure that it will still be capable of functioning long after I am gone. I am just one in a line of owners that this machine has had. Who will own it after me? My daughter? Perhaps a future grandchild?
Time will only tell what the future holds. For now, I will just enjoy the fun of typing and creating stories on a lovely, glossy-black, shiny chrome, cllickety-clack, portable, 1935 Royal typewriter.
(Just in case you’re wondering…of course I typed the original draft for this on the Royal!)