EOTO: The Typewriter

The typewriter is a machine that today is antiquated, but at it's time was obviously revolutionary. In the same way that personal computers put what once filled an entire room onto the table, or now the palm of your hand, the typewriter put a printing press in the hands of anyone who could read. With it's invention in 1867 coinciding around the same period where education became mandatory, millions of people could now create high quality documents and paperwork.

The original 1873 Sholes and Glidden Typewriter

This revolutionized business, as instead of having to use slow, labor intensive printing presses or professional drafters, professional documents could be drafted by women with a formal education, who in turn received well paying jobs for their work. The typewriter changed the world quickly, and the typewriter changed along with it. In less than a year after the first production typewriter model was released, it was immediately improved by the work of Thomas Edison, who used his knowledge of electricity to invent the first electric typewriter. Subsequent models made improvements in usability, adding additional functions to make the process more streamlined.   

The typewriter revolutionized the print world, and it's effect can still be seen today. The QWERTY keyboard found on most English speaking country's computer keyboards today came from Christopher Latham Sholes, the inventor of the typewriter in 1867, had the QWERTY layout we are all familiar with. The typewriter brought improvements to business, the labor market, women's rights, and it's effects will continue to resonate throughout time.