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Attilatheblond

(9,477 posts)
26. My big brother got me a portable Olivetti typewriter when I was 10. Kept it until I was 40
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 11:25 AM
Apr 6

I broke down and got a word processor, hoping learning how to use that would make it easier to get a better job. Gave the Olivetti to a struggling kid. Have regretted giving up that Olivetti ever since.

Went from just writing to trying to mesh writing with editing on the word processor. It does NOT work. Being the editor stopped the creative writer in me. Spent years training myself to keep a wall between writer and editor.

I do like being able to research things online as my curiosity knows few bounds, and it is great to 'meet' people that my homebody self would never get to meet in real life. As I age, there are sometimes memory issues with finer details of past events, people, names, etc, the internet helps me research. On the downside, the computer also takes up a lot of time when new programs have to be learned. That is annoying to the point that I prefer time spent picking up the dog poop in the back yard.

In my 70s I miss that little Olivetti more than ever. It needed no electricity and was lightweight enough to take to the park, mountains, or beach. Just peeked at what the old relics are going for now. As much as that word processor set me back! On a fixed income that makes me grateful the house is paid for in this economy, I think I will live with fond memories of that little mechanical friend for now.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Very groovy... wcmagumba Apr 6 #1
Seems like a pen and paper might be easier. But I do think reversion to analog skills might soon Scrivener7 Apr 6 #2
much cheaper for sure HAB911 Apr 6 #3
pretty sure u can get used typewriters cheap. mopinko Apr 6 #4
The ones I've seen for sale online are hundreds of dollars. highplainsdem Apr 6 #5
There Are Plenty Free Models ProfessorGAC Apr 6 #24
But they're typewriters. They don't fit in a purse or a pocket very well. Scrivener7 Apr 6 #38
Because newspapers are so reliable? SocialDemocrat61 Apr 6 #22
More than the places where most get their news online. Scrivener7 Apr 6 #39
No source is completely reliable SocialDemocrat61 Apr 6 #40
Obviously. Scrivener7 Apr 6 #41
Quote from a student: "This might sound bad, but I was forced to actually think about the problem on my own instead of highplainsdem Apr 6 #6
Omg! Having to think on their own? 😱 SheltieLover Apr 6 #8
OMG! 2naSalit Apr 6 #19
I love this! SheltieLover Apr 6 #7
They simply need to get AI out of classrooms. Which is unfortunately impossible with remote learning. highplainsdem Apr 6 #9
Yes, they do need to get ai out of classrooms! SheltieLover Apr 6 #10
I posted about typewriters a couple of months ago - DURHAM D Apr 6 #11
Where do you find typewriter ribbons? mainer Apr 6 #12
Ummm, ask AI??? yagotme Apr 6 #18
Online, or some office supply stores. highplainsdem Apr 6 #21
Try here radical noodle Apr 6 #23
That's why I jettisoned my beloved Selectric III LSparkle Apr 6 #25
I kick myself HAB911 Apr 6 #28
Great Idea! MineralMan Apr 6 #13
Some profs and colleges (and even high schools) are going to oral exams only. TygrBright Apr 6 #14
Bring back blue books! Scrivener7 Apr 7 #42
Wait - you can still buy typewriters? n/t SpankMe Apr 6 #15
In about 1983 the company I worked for bought an IBM Selectric with erase key. Cost $1,200. twodogsbarking Apr 6 #16
I remember that behemoth machine. Had Selectric envy for a bit of time. Attilatheblond Apr 6 #27
I remember my grandfather running his finger down Scrivener7 Apr 7 #43
The headline is misleading nuxvomica Apr 6 #17
AI equals brain rot. Lonestarblue Apr 6 #20
My big brother got me a portable Olivetti typewriter when I was 10. Kept it until I was 40 Attilatheblond Apr 6 #26
That's what I have! A portable Olivetti Lettera mainer Apr 6 #30
I could see AI being used to address these issues. David__77 Apr 6 #29
I remember taking typing back in High School LetMyPeopleVote Apr 6 #31
I wanted to graduate early, so..... HAB911 Apr 6 #32
I'm so glad I took typing class in HS at the start of the personal computer age... wcmagumba Apr 6 #33
funny how things work out HAB911 Apr 6 #34
The word processor Wifes husband Apr 6 #35
Exactly right. DavidDvorkin Apr 6 #37
The advent of the word processor gave me two careers. Intractable Apr 7 #44
Now they too can go get ribbons off the electronic bay! Initech Apr 6 #36
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