Love of typeworks: a trip through the keys and times in Wiltingen

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in Wiltingen an der Saar combines the passion for typing with a nostalgic flair. Here, two young men, Jakob Kramp and Paul Hallmanns, developed a special love for old typewriter and launched a workshop that specializes in their repair and restoration. In a room full of nostalgic machines, you crush new life to the heritage of past times. For the 23-year-old Jakob and his 24-year-old cousin Paul, the clacking of the buttons is not just a sound, but a way of "punching" the thoughts directly into the paper, as Jakob describes.

With over 100 typewriters in their collection, which includes some of the best -known models such as Remington, Olympia and Adler, the two hobbyists have acquired an impressive expertise. "As a teenager, we discovered this with our grandmother and were immediately fascinated," says Paul. The two began to collect and repair old devices, which finally led to the step to open their own workshop and a shop in a converted hayloft.

The fascination for past technology

Every typewriter in your collection tells a story. From the Oliver, which was created around 1900, to the Mercedes Elektra, the first electrical typewriter, the space is a testimony to the technical developments of the past 130 years. When working on these machines, you learned a lot yourself. "At first we also destroyed a number of machines that we wanted to repair," says Jakob. Today you are able to master the complex technology and are happy about any success if an old machine works again.

The two men are particularly proud that their passion is not only a personal tendency, but also enjoys others. Many of their customers are lovers who actively use old typewriter or appreciate them as decorative elements in their apartments. "Submit machines are positive," says Veit Didczuneit, head of the collections in the Museum of Communication in Berlin. "They stimulate communication and arouse memories."

economic realities and digital pragmatics

However, the restoration of the old machines is more of a matter close to the heart than a lucrative business. "It's nothing to make a living - you have to be realistic," said Paul. Although they put them in their passion for many hours, the main goal is to keep the machines in a functional state and pass on the fascination for technology. Because despite their enthusiasm for the old, they are aware that digital progress cannot be stopped. "We are typewriter pragmatics, not a dogmatist," explains Jakob, who studies physics in Aachen.

The young men also feel the emotional bond that many people have with these devices. They report on a winemaker in the village who regularly comes to maintenance because his typewriter is important to him. "For these people, the devices have a high emotional value," says Paul. These stories and memories motivate you to continue to fight for the old devices.

The last clear trend, however, is that not many people work more actively with typewriters. Didczuneit from Berlin notes that it is rather an exception to regularly write on it these days. "If you have a nice place in the apartment, they will donate to communication," he adds.

a future with writing and clacking

Jakob and Paul are determined to continue their love for the old machines. When Paul begins a semester abroad in Bologna in the near future, he plans to take his olivetti ICO with him to write letters home. The charm and the handwriting that a typewriter conveys are important to him. "I don't go without a typewriter," he says determined. So the clacking of the keys and the rattling of the roller will continue to live in new, distant cities, while the two men live their passion for the tried and tested craft.

The importance of the typewriter in cultural history

The typewriter has played a formative role in the history of communication. Since her introduction in the 19th century, it has revolutionized the way texts were written and distributed. Spready machines enabled a faster and more efficient text position compared to the handwritten method and quickly found its way into offices, schools and private households.

It is particularly remarkable to their influence on literary and journalists. Ruarding machines became a symbol of creativity and the free spirit. Famous writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Agatha Christie used typewriters to write their works. The mechanical devices created a direct connection between the author and the text, which many found to be beneficial for their creative process.

Current trends and the renaissance of typewriters

In recent years, a growing interest in analog technologies, including typewriters, can be observed. This can be partially attributed to the need to take a break of screens in the digital age. Many people are looking for opportunities to focus on the essentials and to slow down the speed of modern life. Writing on a typewriter requires more attention and often offers a more fulfilling experience than faster typing on a computer.

The revival of this interest is also promoted by the presence in social media and the popularity of DIY projects. Users in social networks share their experiences, restore old machines and show creative writing projects, which means that the fascination for typewriters revives. Dealers such as those of Kramp and Hallmanns also contribute to this trend by offering functioning machines that revive the nostalgic feeling of writing.

technological developments and their effects

The development of the writing and data technologies has been rapidly carried out in the course of the 20th century. From the electronic rack to computers, every innovation has influenced the writing habits and techniques of people. Damage repairs and adjustments to modern requirements were necessary to keep up with the progressive technologies. However, these developments have also led to the traditional typewriter in the background.

In today's world, digital technologies are the norm, but the endeavor to combine the writing process with a mechanical typewriter shows how important it is to express your own creativity and individuality. Messages that are written on typewriter often invite you to a more intensive examination of what is written and promote awareness of your own writing culture. This could also lead to a balance between digital and analog communication in the future.