Use a Manual Typewriter
Typing on an old-fashioned typewriter is fun and easy, but you have to know what you're doing. Here's an overview on acquiring (or renewing) a lost art.
Steps
- Put a piece of office paper or copy paper between the typewriter's paper table and the platen. If you don't know what these parts are, search for "typewriter diagram" or watch the video below
- Use the platen knobs to roll the top of the platen away from you until the paper appears below the platen and rises to the point where you can lift the paper bail and put it down on the very top of the paper.
- Push the carriage to the right until it doesn't go any farther. The margins stop the carriage in either direction.
- Begin typing your first sentence.
- When you hear a bell at the end of your line, return the carriage by using the carriage-return lever, or on an electric model tap the "return" key.
- Continue typing.
- When you are finished typing, use the platen knob, and keep raising the paper until it comes free of the typewriter.
- Sit back and read what you wrote!
Warnings
- Never type on a bare platen without any paper inserted. That damages the platen.
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