The typewriter shop Philly Typewriter in Philadelphia is thriving in 2024, despite the prevalence of artificial intelligence and digital technology. Co-owner Bill Rhoda attributes the continued demand for typewriters to various industries that still use them, such as police departments and courts. Philly Typewriter has become a community hub where people come to learn, create, and socialize around the vintage machines.
In another part of Pennsylvania, teacher Fred Durbin has introduced typewriters to his students, who are using them to connect with the past and focus on their writing in a distraction-free manner. The resistance from students to using typewriters has dissipated, and they are now embracing the unique creative process.
The shop has gained popularity through celebrity endorsements from Tom Hanks and Taylor Swift, who have donated typewriters or referenced them in their work. Philly Typewriter offers repair and maintenance services to keep vintage machines in top condition, as well as lessons to the public.
Artist Sheryl Oring uses typewriters for her art installations and to engage with voters during elections. She believes that typewriters offer a unique sensory experience and preserve personal histories in a way that digital communication cannot. Overall, typewriters continue to hold a special place in today’s increasingly digital world, connecting people through their creativity and human touch.
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