Less than half a century ago workplaces around the world would have echoed to the clatter of typewriters.
Now these victims of the computer age are making a return for one weekend only thanks to the efforts of two academics from the University of Winchester.
Lecturers in Creative Writing Dr Mark Rutter and Judy Waite pictured) are celebrating the words and sounds made by these original office keyboards at Bournemouth Writing Festival (26-28 April).
Mark and Judy will be kitting out their “Stanza Room” with manual typewriters and inviting the public to try their hands at some creative typing – maybe tap out a poem or even create an artwork with some well-placed letters.
These ‘typestracts’ will be exhibited around the Stanza Room, located on the Bandstand in Lower Gardens on the weekend of 27-28 April.
“Typewriters offer great scope for creativity,” said Mark. “A typewriter gives you regular spacing and creates many visual possibilities.”
In keeping with their surroundings Mark and Judy also promise ‘musical’ typewriter performances on each day.
The public can play a key role in the success of the Stanza Room.
Mark and Judy are keen to hear from anyone who may have a manual typewriter, in working order, which they are willing to lend or donate to the project.
The academics are also on the lookout for typewriter ribbons, carbon paper and correction fluid.
If you can help email Mark.Rutter@winchester.ac.uk or Judy.Waite@winchester.ac.uk.
Back to media centre