Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Whoops - A Successful Accident

Once in a while, when things go wrong, it turns out they have actually gone right. I began the typecast below thinking I had really screwed up. And then, while telling the tale using this nice machine, realized a repair that had gone wrong had actually solved the problem. Thus an alternative title for this post could be, "Typing Therapy"










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1936 Underwood Champion
Serial Number G1009954

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Because my memory is as fleeting as a dew drop, I'll apply a strip of my green Post-It label tape next to the ribbon reverse lever there on the right side of the typewriter, reminding me to simply flick it forward when the left ribbon spool has emptied. I'm so pleased to have this lovely machine functioning that I'm going to head down to the dungeon and scour the cells for other inmates of this era.
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8 comments:

  1. I very well know that sinking feeling when I realize I just -- $#&*(@#! -- broke a piece of a typewriter. In this case, though, it really wasn't essential. Sure is a handsome machine!

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    1. Indeed. I'm ecstatic to have it operational again, and glance in its direction whenever I walk by, Kind of like a proud automobile or truck owner will glance back at his parked vehicle.

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    2. Heh, there really isn't much difference between collecting cars & collecting typers, except expense and space issues.

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  2. A brilliant end to a strange and sad tale. :)

    Ah the automatic ribbon reverse…probably the least reliable bit of a typewriter. I wouldn't be surprised if a third of mine have problems related to that (though most aren't too bad).

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    1. Ain't that the truth, Nick. And all the makers had a different design solution. I'm thinking of the most obvious, where some typewriters refuse to reverse if the ribbon does not have a grommet, while others just choke on them. I think one could write an interesting piece on comparative ribbon management systems. Surely it would pop to the top of reddit. Well, OK, maybe not.

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  3. Definitely a "champion" typewriter. (adjective - British informal or dialect, = excellent)

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  4. Well, they say many of the most important discoveries happened by chance. It's great seeing that beautiful machine back to work! Congratulations!

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  5. Underwood typewriters of that vintage and their couple of green keys,
    looks so regal

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