With the Olivetti ICO back into the typewriter time in Wiltingen

Von Kl Redaktion

in Wiltingen an der Saar, a small town, in the past and modernity, the fascination for old typewriter ensures a renaissance of the craft. Clicking buttons and gentle whirracking are reminiscent of a time when writing with a mechanical machine was an art. Jakob Kramp and his cousin Paul Hallmanns, both passionate collectors and users of these devices, have enthusiastically prescribed the preservation and repair of over 100 typewriters.

The two young men, 23 and 24 years old, love the special feeling that tapping on a typewriter. For Kramp, who studies physics at the University of Aachen, the experience is unique: "You tap something and it not only looks fantastic, it remains permanent." This appreciation goes beyond the physical presence of the device; It is a connection to the past that they discovered as children with their grandparents.

a passion that connects

The connection between emotion and technology cannot be overlooked if you enter the workshop of the two. The lovingly restored typewriters, including brands such as Olivetti, Adler and Remington, testify to the aesthetics and the innovative technology of past decades. Hallmann's emphasizes how exciting it is to travel through the different epochs of technology: "This is a crazy technique that is in there." This enthusiasm led the two to open a converted hayloft as a workshop and sales point five years ago.

An integral part of your work is not only the restoration, but also the sale of functioning devices on the Internet. The demand not only comes from Germany, but also from abroad, where collectors and lovers are looking for functioning typewriters. "There are also many who want to call themselves writers and write on it," says Kramp.

a backing in the digital era

Although the two are affectionate in their workshop of analog technology, they show themselves pragmatically. "We are typewriter pragmatists, not a dogmatist," says Kramp and explains that you do not want to miss the modern technologies during your studies. Nevertheless, the two combine a deep love for these historical devices that tell their own stories.

This is how you have acquired extensive knowledge of repair and restoration, even if the way there was peppered with challenges. "We also destroyed a number of machines at the beginning, but now we can," says Hallmann's pride. There is always a certain risk because many models are no longer manufactured and parts are difficult to get.

For the two men, the typewriter is not just an aid; It also has a high emotional value for many of its customers. Hallmanns describes that in the village there is a winemaker who regularly comes to maintenance because he writes invoices with the typewriter. "The devices also have a high emotional value for these people," he says.

Love for these classic devices does not go unnoticed. Veit Didczuneit, head of the collections in the Museum für Kommunikation Berlin, reports regularly about donors, the well -preserved typewriters with small stories. "Ruard machines are positive," said Didczuneit, "they stimulate communication." Despite the fact that writing on a typewriter is rather a rarity today, many people appreciate the nostalgic charm and the creative inspiration that these machines offer.

a piece of history in hand

Soon Paul Hallmanns will go to Italy for a semester abroad, and there he will remain loyal to his passion. "In any case, I take a travel description with me, probably the Olivetti ICO," he says determined. It is a clear sign: For him and Jakob Kramp, writing on a typewriter is not only a nostalgic exercise, but also an element of the connection to the past, which you maintain in today's digital world.

The development of typewriters

The typewriter has a remarkable story that goes back to the 18th century. The first commercially successful typewriter was patented in 1868 by Christopher Latham Shholes. This machine, known as the Sholes and Glidden typewriter, or Remington 1, was the first to be manufactured in mass production. Their introduction revolutionized the way people wrote and created documents. With a button for every letter and a new type of keyboard arrangement, which is now known as Qwerty, it set standards for future typewriters.

In the course of the 20th century, the typewriter experienced many innovations, including the introduction of electrical models in the 1930s and the development of portable typewriters. This technical advances not only made writing easier, but also more effective. The Olivetti Lettera 22, which is mentioned by Kramp and Hallmanns, was such a portable model that was very popular in the 1950s and was often used by writers.

The nostalgia factor and the return to the typewriter

In today's digital era, typewriters may appear such as relics from the past, but the nostalgic feeling they are causing has created a new market for the old devices. Especially among creative people and writers, many feel an attraction to the tangible experience that typing on a mechanical machine brings. People appreciate the tactile input mechanism, the acoustic feedback and the physical result of their writing work.

The interest in typewriters is often associated with a search for authenticity and a connection to your own creativity. In a age of emails, text messages and digital documents, many long for a simpler, direct kind of writing. This return to analog means could also be interpreted as a form of countermovement for digital flooding.

market research and demography

A current study shows that interest in typewriters has increased in recent years, especially among younger adults and students. According to a survey by Statista, 17 % of those surveyed stated that they occasionally use a typewriter or to be interested in owning one. In addition, sales data show that the market for used typewriters in 2022 recorded sales growth of 10 %, which indicates increasing demand.

While the main buyers are often vintage lovers and collectors, many creative and students also find the devices. It can be observed that typewriters are increasingly being used not only for their original function, but also as decorative objects in living rooms, which further inspires their market.