Retro Typewriters On Display At Evergreen Park's First 'Type-In'

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Not too long ago, offices were home to a symphony of clacking typewriters; and, in years past, most of our great novels were composed on a typewriter, keystroke by keystroke. This mode of word processing faded with the rise of personal computers. But, like vinyl LPs, the typewriter is making a comeback among writers, hobbyists and collectors.

The Village of Evergreen Park will celebrate this “typewriter revolution” by running its first-ever “Type-In” from noon until 4 p.m Saturday, Aug. 21 at the Evergreen Park Senior Center, 9547 S. Homan Ave.

The event is open to writers, hobbyists, collectors, or the “qwerty-curious”. People are invited to dust off their old typewriters, bring them in, grab some special “Type-In” letterhead and try out their machines. Write a note, write a poem, or do some journaling, or simply visit. Kids can sit down at our interactive tables and try out some of these Neanderthal machines.

The Evergreen Park Historical Commission plans to have a small exhibit as well and has added a vintage Underwood and L.C. Smith typewriter to the exhibit. The L.C. Smith will be fully operational.

Do you have a typewriter on hand, but need ribbon? Believe it or not, universal typewriter ribbon is available at online merchants. Yes, the technology of the twenty-first century can help you bring your heirloom back to life. A small quantity of ribbon will be available for sale at the event.

Special guest is Sarah Everett, who hosts her YouTube channel “Just My Typewriter,” an enjoyable series from a collector with an artistic flair.

The event will be held in the spacious, air-conditioned auditorium (masks are required); tents are planned for the parking lot as well, in order to make visitors comfortable inside and outside. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

If you would like more information, or, if you are a collector and would like to display or sell vintage typewriters, a table can be arranged for you at no charge, but please email eptypingevent@gmail.com.