If you’ve taken a look at my blog’s layout, you might have noticed that I have a bit of a “thing” for vintage typewriters (as an aside, I suppose it’s valid to say that all typewriters are vintage, right?!).
So, why the typewriters?
When I was a kid, my dad had this wonderful old Underwood typewriter, similar to the one in this photo. That typewriter absolutely fascinated me, quite possibly more so than any of my own toys, and being allowed to use it (a rare occurrence) was, in my little mind, the Greatest Treat Ever.
I have happy memories of using that typewriter, but one in particular stands out in my mind, formed in part by my own recollection and also from the many family tellings and retellings of the story.
I was very young, somewhere around age three or perhaps even younger, and asked Dad if I could use the typewriter. He was probably in the middle of something else and didn’t want to go downstairs to set it up for me, so his answer, much to my dismay, was, “No.”
Undaunted, and with a persistence not uncommon in children of that tender age, I kept pestering him to please let me use it, just for a little while, puh-leeeease, Dad! At that point I was probably starting the transition from polite begging to annoying whining, and so, in an effort to move me along and get me out of his hair, my exasperated father firmly said that the only way I was going to be allowed to use the typewriter that day was if I could bring it upstairs from the basement by myself.
I’m sure he thought that by saying this, I’d be discouraged by the magnitude of the task, give up, and go find some more suitable toys with which to amuse myself.
Not so.
As long ago as that was, even today I distinctly remember the relief I felt as soon as I heard those magical words. The despair that had been filling my young heart immediately lifted, because suddenly I’d been given a way to make this happen. My destiny was in my power!
I immediately raced downstairs to the desk in the corner of the basement on which the typewriter sat and, though I have absolutely no idea just how I did it, somehow managed to get the massive (at least in comparison to my frame) machine off the desk and onto the chair, then from the chair down to the floor, then across the basement to the stairs, then (deep breath, heft, drop) up onto the first step, then (deep breath, heft, drop) up onto the second step.
I don’t know how much time had passed at this point, but I’m pretty sure that as soon as I’d disappeared from his sight, Dad had forgotten all about me and gone back to whatever it was he was doing. He was brought back to my reality, however, when he heard the sounds of his stubborn three-year-old’s exertion as she hefted that beastly heavy typewriter up the basement stairs one… by… one.
Dad was completely stunned that I’d managed to make it as far as I did, and quickly realized that there would be no way he could go back on his promise to let me use the typewriter now! He took pity on me and carried it the rest of the way up the stairs, and as a result of my stubbornness and efforts, I enjoyed a happy session of typing on my beloved machine.
Old typewriters always brings this memory to mind, and the sight of one never fails to make me smile. To me they are a symbol of persistence, of an anything is possible attitude, and they remind me of how an adoration for the written word has been a part of who I am for as long as I can remember.
Do you have a positive childhood symbol?
Please share!
(Originally posted in February, 2012.)
Twitter: SusanF_mt
June 19, 2014
You were a determined little thing! I remember how heavy those typewriters were!!
I need to give some thought to your question about a childhood symbol. For me, it was probably my mom’s old nursing caps, uniforms and books that were of constant fascination to me … and I became a nurse. I loved to play with the old typewriter too though – and now I am a writer. I wonder what else in my past will show up in my future!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
Love the nursing connection between you and your mom! Lovely. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
Twitter: joantruesuccess
June 19, 2014
Hi Laurel,
You are always posting such interesting info! Love reading your posts! Thank you for sharing your love of “old” typewriters 🙂
Joan Harrington recently posted… How To Attract More Prospects and Sales Using Video Marketing
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
Thank you, Joan! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
Twitter: FranceneStanley
June 19, 2014
What a great story. I lingered on every word. Your persistence brought you the reward you wanted. The only drawback with a typewriter is the permanence of making a mistake. With a computer keyboard, you can create as you type. The old machines are wonderful though, and revolutionized writing.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Francene!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
Twitter: rm29303
June 19, 2014
This is so funny I also loved old typewriters and played with one like this most of my childhood. Weekend before last I went to an Estate sale . I saw one there and for some stupid reason I didn’t buy it and I’ve been kicking myself in the butt ever since!
Rena McDaniel-The Diary of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver recently posted… MEET THE REAL EXPERT-HIS TOP 5 CAREGIVER TIPS
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
Oh, what a shame! I just saw one in a secondhand store the other day, but it was $125 which is out of my budget at this point, so I’m hoping to run into one another time!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
What a delightful story. I love these tales where we take our parents quite literally and put them in a state of flummox! I, too, have fond family memories of vintage typewriters.
Sammy D recently posted… Tuesday Tangles
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
Thank you! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
Never encountered anyone who has worked on a typewriter in my family. Actually the only typewriter I have seen was at my dad’s office and his assistant used to use it. This piece here is a very interesting narration of some of the events about the old typewriters. You were one persistent girl, I must say. 🙂
Kajal recently posted… You Stole My Heart
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
I definitely was! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
Twitter: vidyasury
June 19, 2014
I love typewriters too, Laurel. I had one called “Halda” then later, an Olivetti. Funnily enough, during my corporate career, I worked with Olivetti, too, marketing their electronic typewriters and computers! Talk about life coming a full circle. I wish I had kept my little Olivetti.
Positive childhood symbol – it has to be my diaries and letters. Always experience a range of emotions when I go through that box!
Vidya Sury recently posted… 6 Easy Natural Ways to Detox
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
I need to dig out my box of diaries some day too – definitely a blast from the past!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
What a cute story! My grandpa had one.. and I used to pass time by typing jibber-jabber using it! 🙂
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
It was fun, wasn’t it?!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
Writers are persistent 🙂 We can do anything for the love of writing, as seen from your post. I used to love reading books past my bedtime and used to keep a torch in my bed for the same. Many a times my parents have caught me reading under the blanket in my trusted torch’s light.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
That’s such a sweet memory! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
Twitter: Wordwrights, Ink
June 20, 2014
I love this story! I can just picture that little three-year-old toting that heavy typewriter up those stairs! Proving you were a girl who would accomplish things! Adorable!
Diane recently posted… Lunchtime!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
I was certainly a stubborn creature. Ask Peter, and he’d say not much has changed! 😉
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
Twitter: shilpaagarg
June 20, 2014
Wow! That’s a remarkable example of determination and persistence by a three year old, Laurel!! Very impressive 🙂
Shilpa Garg recently posted… Zoutons.com : The Loot is On
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
It was, rather, wasn’t it?!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
I like your taste in this type of instrument Laurel, your blog layout for the typewriter is interesting too. I’ve actually gone to a couple of museums that have a set of typewriters of the past, ^_^.
Jermaine Pleas recently posted… Motor Club of America >> MCA Motor Club Plans
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
I’d love to see that!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 35
Trackbacks: