This particular quartet of typewriters resides inside the Star Valley Independent building as the newspaper has been churning out stories for over 125 years. SVI PHOTO BY DAHL ERICKSON

By Rhonda Merritt, Thayne Branch Library

Rhonda Merritt

Every year on June 23rd, writers, historians, and retro-enthusiasts pause to celebrate National Typewriter Day. This specific date honors the anniversary of the typewriter’s patent, granted to Christopher Latham Sholes in 1868. Sholes didn’t just give us a mechanical writing tool; he revolutionized global communication, reshaped the modern workplace, and introduced the ubiquitous QWERTY keyboard layout we still use on our smartphones and laptops today.

For libraries, these machines offer a unique, hands-on tool for community engagement, literacy programs, and historical education. They provide a bridge between generations, where older patrons can share nostalgic memories and younger generations can experience a world before screens.

For decades, the typewriter was the ultimate sidekick for writers, reporters, and office workers alike. Literary legends like Ernest Hemingway, Agatha Christie, and Maya Angelou typed out their masterpieces on these trusty, ink-stained machines. There was a unique rhythm to the whole experience—the tactile click of the keys, the cheerful clack of the metal letters hitting paper, and the iconic ding of the carriage return all became part of the soundtrack of creativity.

Of course, when computers and smartphones arrived, plenty of typewriters ended up tucked away in attics. But guess what? A major comeback is happening!

In a world full of buzzing notifications and glowing screens, people are falling in love with the simple joy of going analog. Typing on a vintage Smith-Corona, Remington, or Royal offers something a laptop just can’t: pure focus. With no internet to distract you, no spellcheck to break your flow, and no delete button to make you second-guess your words, writing becomes an adventure. Every keystroke counts, and even the typos add character!

So this June 23rd, consider silencing your phone, dusting off an old machine, and letting the ink fly. In a world obsessed with speed, perhaps it’s time we all embraced the slow, beautiful dance of the typewriter.