1965 Olympia SF #5-1029858

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Dan Johnson (rdj)
Created: 04-20-2014 at 01:23PM
Last Edit: 04-20-2014 at 01:25PM

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Description:

This has a cursive typeface! It is the only typewriter (so far) that I have with a cursive typeface. In addition, after reading oz. Typewriter's description[1] of this model, I am grateful to have the opportunity to use this model.

I must agree that it does have a surprisingly comfortable feel for a "flat" typewriter. This one is a wee bit "rickety", but I have not yet found anything functionally discouraging. The rubber grommets that hold the cover had ossified and disintegrated, but they were easy to replace with rubber grommets from Radio Shack that are intended as cable/cord feed-throughs for homebuilt electronics projects. I happened to have two on hand that exactly fit!

The typeface sample is with the black-correction ribbon that was in it when it arrived. If I decide it's going to get regular use, I'll change the ribbon to something crisper.

One of the pictures here is of a spring that was loose in its case when it arrived. If anyone recognizes it or would care to guess what function it might have served, I would appreciate hearing your opinions. Meanwhile, I anticipate that with further use, I'll figure out what it does.

[1] "On This Day in Typewriter History: Demmel's Olympia SF": http://oztypewriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/on-this-day-in-typewriter-history_1572.html

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Side view of the Olympia SF with the cursive typeface

Mystery spring! This spring arrived loose in the typewriter's case. Can anyone identify it? I have not yet figured out what function its absence might be affecting.

Hunter: Dan Johnson (rdj)

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I have always loved typewriters along with other kinds of well-engineered tools and devices such as slide rules, calculators (particular HP), radios, cameras (particularly Nikons), and microscopes. In addition to appreciating their intrinsic beauty and utility, they represent "things that need to be figured out to be understood". That's how I first learned about computers and programming in the 1970s, by figuring things out for myself. It's activity in which I never seem to tire of engaging.

Although communities have arisen around other collection interests, typewriters have the advantage that those who use them also typically enjoy communicating through words, whether those words are about the machines themselves or their lives, hopes, dreams, or expressions of beauty. There's much to be appreciated here.