Typewriters have been replaced by high tech printers

April 23, 2017: Are you familiar with the rhythmic tap sound produced by the typewriter? Isn't it beautiful? I think the whole concept of a typewriter is magical. What I am trying to say is that, when words are typed on the machine, it produces a smooth, rhythmic sound. And that's not the only beautiful output. Whatever one types, it is instantly breathed onto the paper and that I think, is the most fascinating and content feeling for any writer. But, by the end of the 1980s, the majestic typewriters became the middle child of the writing family, as the newborn technologies of computers and printers grabbed everyone's attention. The onset of the computer era still was not a complete threat to the typewriters.

Go to NewsGram and check out news related to political current issues

But with the invention of printers, the typewriters suffered a huge setback. What were the reasons to accept the hi-tech printers and let go of the typewriters? Were the typewriters actually a better option than the new technologies? No, and yes. Just like there are two sides to a coin, there are two differing opinions for this too. David Mitchell, a British comedian-writer quote that, "For most digital-age writers, writing is rewriting. We grope, cut, block, paste, and twitch, panning for gold onscreen by deleting bucket loads of crap. Our analogue ancestors had to polish every line mentally before hammering it out mechanically. Rewrites cost them months, meters of the ink ribbon, and pints of Tippex. Poor sods." What Mitchell says is true. People using typewriters did not have the privilege of the now not very highly acclaimed of, the backspace button.

Go to NewsGram and check out news related to political current issues

They had to filter a word or sentence hundred times before typing it out or else one wrong word or letter could cost them a whole sheet. Typewriters were therefore very vexatious. They also involved many resources which cost a lot. Ink ribbons, papers etc cost the writers a lot who did not have a surplus income. Rewriting or retyping also took a lot of time which delayed the production of work which is not the case with the new hi-tech technologies. Working with the new technologies is a hundred times easier than working with typewriters. You can have second thoughts about your writing and you can easily rewrite it by simply going on the saved draft on your desktop. Printers are very efficient. They can easily be connected to any digital device and you will get your prints. The printers are easy to maintain too. But are the hi-tech printers better than the typewriters on all fronts? James M. Cain, an American author and Journalist quotes that, "The academics don't know that the only thing you can do for someone who wants to write is to buy him a typewriter." Maybe what Cain is saying, is right on some notes.

Go to NewsGram and check out news related to political current issues

If a writer uses a typewriter, he would become more confident of what he thinks and writes. There wouldn't be any fear of the work getting deleted by any software related issue. Whatever would be there, it would be in front of one's eye without any digital barrier blocking the view. Also, as mentioned before, typewriters provide one with an instant piece of their work. So, the other side of the coin shines too. The technological takeover does not define one's work though, especially writers'. It just shows that we are ready and welcome to all the changes.

– by Staff Writer of NewsGram