The return of the typewriter: Two students in Wiltingen enchant with nostalgia

The return of the typewriter: Two students in Wiltingen enchant with nostalgia

At a time when digitization is on everyone's lips, there are two young men in Wiltingen an der Saar who are entirely committed to the old craft: Jakob Kramp and Paul Hallmanns are passionate typewriter enthusiasts. Her room, which has been converted into a workshop, is a real paradise for lovers of mechanical line machines. Over 100 different models are here, including large names such as Olivetti, Adler and Remington. The two students have deepened into the world of typewriters and have thus become true experts in their field.

The 23-year-old Jakob enthusiastically explains that the sound of the keys and the sound of the typewriter stimulate his creativity. "When I tap, there is something tangible. Doing is a completely different process than on the computer," he says. This fascination for old writing techniques began for the two when they gained their first experience with the devices in their grandparents. They remember the sounds and the feel that is generated when typing: the clacking of the keys, the whirring of the roller - an auditory experience that pushes the technological progress into the background in recent decades.

unique collectibles and repairs

The two students decided five years ago to promote their hobby professionally. You now operate your workshop from a converted hayloft. "There are hardly any places in Germany where old typewriter can be repaired," said Paul, 24-year-old cousin by Jakob. Nevertheless, the demand remains high. The repair work pays off, especially in people who have emotional bonds on these machines. A local winemaker, for example, regularly comes to maintenance and still uses the typewriter for his bills.

In addition, the two young men sell restored typewriters on the Internet, which they have made functional again. "We have customers all over Germany and even internationally," says Jakob Stolz. The expertise that you have acquired in recent years is based on an experiment process; As they note, they initially had to destroy some machines to better understand their functioning.

The charm of the typewriter in the modern world

Although the two work intensively with old machines, they are not opponents of digitization. They also use computers for their studies. "We are typewriter pragmatics, not a dogmatist," says Jakob, who studies physics in Aachen. Her love for the typewriter is a look back in the past, which at the same time brings a piece of nostalgia into the modern world.

"types of typewriters are positive," says Veit Didczuneit from the Museum of Communication in Berlin. In his collection there are over 300 historical models that document the development of writing instruments. Today, many typewriters are mainly valued as decorative objects that cause beautiful memories. "Every person who sees a typewriter immediately becomes nostalgic," explains Didczuneit and thus underlines the persistent importance of these devices in a digital time.

Both Jakob and Paul will even take their typewriters abroad in the coming semester. Paul plans to take his Olivetti ICO to Italy to write letters to family and friends. "This is simply indispensable for me. The feeling of writing letters with the typewriter is irreplaceable," says the prospective student of the wine industry.

The two gentlemen not only made their passion a profession, but also created a small room for memory and history. Your typewriters are not just tools - they are bridges in the past, tell the stories and make the time stand still, in the middle of a rapidly changing digital age.

preserve a legacy

The fascination of the two students shows that old technology also has its place in the modern world. By preserving the knowledge and craftsmanship around typewriter, they contribute to protecting the history and beauty of these mechanical miracles. Such a passion is not only a hobby, but also a valuable legacy that inspires future generations. There is a piece of history in every clack and rattle that should not be forgotten.

The fascination for typewriters and their history

typewriters have a long and fascinating story that is closely linked to the development of modern communication. The first patented typewriter was designed by the Englishman Henry Mill in 1714, but it took until the 1860s until it gained serious social relevance. The Remington & Sons Company launched the first typewriter in 1873, which was manufactured in series production. This invention revolutionized written communication by making writing more efficient and accessible. Writers, office workers and students quickly recognized the advantages of this technology.

In the course of time there were numerous innovations, including the introduction of the electrical typewriter in the 1930s and the development of portable models in the 1950s. This progress contributed to the popularity of the typewriter, which was considered the standard device for text processing until the 1980s. However, the use of typewriters has decreased sharply in recent decades, since computers and digital writing tools have fundamentally changed the writing habits. Nevertheless, old typewriters have experienced a certain revival as nostalgic objects and collectibles in recent years.

typewriters as part of the cultural heritage

The meaning of the typewriter goes beyond its functionality; It is also part of the cultural heritage. In the Museum of Communication in Berlin, the development of the typewriter is documented as part of technological history. The museum's collection includes over 300 copies that reflect not only technical progress, but also the social changes that were associated with the use of these devices. Many of the donors that offer their typewriters for the collection tell personal stories that are connected to the use of these devices, which underlines the emotional value of these machines.

This aspect is often emphasized by collectors and lovers, the typewriters not only see as technical devices, but as a carrier of memories and stories. The return to the use of typewriters could also be interpreted as a counter -movement to the digital world, in which the quick, often fleeting exchange of information pushes deeper, personal communication into the background.

Current trends and statistics

A survey by the Federal Statistical Office has shown that almost 70 % of Germans hardly or no longer write with typewriter. Nevertheless, more and more people are interested in writing on old machines. Young people in urban areas in particular are looking for ways to differentiate themselves from digital communication and understand the analogous experience of writing. Online platforms and social media promote these interests by creating communities and discussion forums in which typewriter enthusiasts can be exchanged.

In recent years, an increase in sales of vintage typewriters via online marketplaces such as eBay and Etsy has taken place. Many of these sales are aimed at lovers or collectors, but also to people who appreciate the nostalgic feeling of craftsmanship. Repair workshops are increasingly being created, and some young entrepreneurs receive old devices to restore them accordingly and to sell them again. This development shows that despite the prevailing digital technologies, there is continuing interest in these historical devices.