The Passionate Story Of The Typewriter
Start writing a post
Student Life

The Passionate Story Of The Typewriter

Passions can sometimes be surprising and odd, but they're worth it anyways.

26
The Passionate Story Of The Typewriter
Kevin McCloud

Today, I completed an item from my bucket list. I typed a page of poetry on a working, original typewriter. It was all thanks to a good friend's great-aunt who used that typewriter when she was young as a secretary. He brought it out from a storage area in his basement, in a brown case. It was heavy, and I was dying of anticipation. When we opened it, it was one of the most beautiful and satisfying sights of my life. I imagine it felt the same as when your baby pops out with all four limbs.

It had a beautiful green base, black keys and a working ribbon, dark green knobs. It was absolutely ravishing. I was so excited just to see it, and when I started pushing the keys; I can't even begin to explain the happiness in my heart. The sound of a typewriter is possibly one of the most satisfying sounds I've ever heard in all of my life. While he went to search for paper, I was content to just clack away on the keys, seeing the hammers hit the black roll, listening to the sounds. I hit the space bar 100 times, and the cartridge made it to the end. Tentatively, I pushed the lever that would return it. The sound it made, the distinctive ding and swoosh, the satisfaction of hearing and seeing the motion; it was unreal. The feel of the keys was weird at first, so different from modern keyboards, like little levers to push down. I can imagine how tired someone’s fingers must have gotten after spending an entire day typing on a typewriter.

Look at him! So beautiful!

They’re truly amazing machines, and I explored the mechanics of it for a while, watching the hammers reach up, strike the ribbon, studying the mechanism that moved the cartridge along. It was just so damn cool. My fascination with typewriters started back when I was 9 years old in India. I went to my great-uncle’s house, who is a judge. In his old study room, I saw a beautiful brown typewriter. It wasn’t in a case and it hadn't been used in quite some time, so it wasn’t in the best condition.

But it still worked, and it was already loaded with paper, and to my eyes, it was the most extraordinary, unreal, and magnificent thing I’d ever laid my eyes on. We weren't supposed to be touching things, but I typed a few letters on it anyways. The ribbon had nearly dried up, so the letters were faint, but it was so satisfying to type on that typewriter. Since then, it’s been a dream of mine to own a working, classic typewriter. All of my fantasies of my future home office (and I’ve had a lot of them) invariably have a typewriter on the grand mahogany desk.

But more than anything, this experience in the basement of my friend’s house with his incredible typewriter was a lesson in passion. Some things make you feel so strongly, and there’s no explanation for it. You just love it. It fills you up with a kind of joy that other people might not be able to understand, but that is irrevocably there for you. For my friend, that passion was in his collection of Legos. He so vehemently and excitedly shared with us about all of his Lego collections, about how much time and money he’s put into them, about how special they are to him. His voice lit up, his face was animated. I couldn’t empathize with the Legos, but I could understand the way he felt. It's moving to see someone talk about their passion.

In life, these passions are things that you have to grab on to and hold tight, I’ve learned. No matter how illogical they may seem. If it brings you genuine joy, it’s important. If you maybe had a passion, that you had to give up on because life and its antics got in the way, remind yourself about them. Make time for them. Do what brings you joy, what makes you feel alive. Yes, I’m a geek and a nerd and weirdo for being so disproportionately fascinated by typewriters, but it makes me happy. You can’t care about what other people think; their opinions are temporary.

Find your passion and don’t let go of it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56549
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36416
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958296
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

188577
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments