A Personal History of the Typewriter | EOTO #1

The first commercial typewriter,
the Sholes and Glidden.

Today, I have no idea where my granny’s typewriter is. When I chose this topic, I called my dad and asked about her typewriter. His voice softened as he explained that after she passed, he got rid of the Royal S16 manual typewriter. “There was no need for it anymore,” he said, “and it held too many painful reminders.”


I remember the clunky Royal manual typewriter sitting in my granny’s study—a relic that always fascinated me as a kid. Its heavy black frame, the satisfying clack of keys, and the little bell that would ping at the end of each line—who would have thought this machine was once a revolutionary device that changed the world? I wish I still had that clunky black machine—a tangible piece of family history that could bridge generations.

My dad said this is the closest to what
my Granny’s typewriter looked like.

The fascinating story of how the typewriter came to be spans centuries. The typewriter’s story isn’t just about technology; it’s about human ingenuity and unexpected connections.

The typewriter’s story is much like my granny’s life—a testament to persistent innovation and unexpected transformations. The journey begins way back in 1714, when Henry Mill, an Englishman, filed a patent for a writing machine that never actually came to life. It would take nearly a century of determined inventors to turn this dream into reality.

This book was written based on
the relationship between Turri and
his blind friend, the Contessa.

In 1808, an Italian inventor named Pellegrino Turri created something truly remarkable. His motivation? To help a blind friend communicate more easily. Alongside the typewriter, he even invented carbon paper—a perfect example of how technology can break down barriers and connect people. I can’t help but think my granny would have appreciated such a compassionate innovation.

The typewriter’s evolution wasn’t a straight path. William Austin Burt’s 1830 typographer was the first writing mechanism patented in the United States, though it never found commercial success. The real breakthrough came in 1868 when Christopher Latham Sholes and his colleagues developed the Sholes and Glidden typewriter—a machine that would gradually reshape how we communicate.

Early typewriters were beasts of machines. Bulky, demanding manual labor, and able to print only in CAPITAL LETTERS—imagine every document sounding like it was being shouted! But they were transformative. The early 20th-century visible typewriter allowed typists to see their work in real time, eliminating the frustration of discovering errors after completing a full page. Electric typewriters followed, dramatically increasing typing speed and reducing physical strain.

Beyond mere mechanics, the typewriter became a powerful catalyst for social change. For women like my granny, it was nothing short of revolutionary. Suddenly, they could step beyond domestic roles, entering the workforce as typists and stenographers. Economic independence wasn't just a dream—it became a tangible reality.

Businesses transformed overnight. Correspondence became faster, more legible, and more organized. Administrative work was streamlined, and record-keeping became exponentially more efficient. The typewriter wasn’t just a tool but a gateway to professional opportunity.

The most fascinating legacy? The QWERTY keyboard layout we still use today. Originally designed to prevent key jamming in early typewriters, it’s a remarkable testament to how technological limitations can create enduring standards.

Legendary authors like Agatha Christie, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, and the more contemporary Danielle Steel crafted their iconic works on these machines. I can almost picture my granny, fingers dancing across her Royal S16, creating her own stories—personal narratives lost to time.

When my dad mentioned disposing of the typewriter, I felt a profound sense of loss. But listening to its rich history, I realize the machine’s true value isn’t in its physical presence. It’s in the stories it enabled, the barriers it broke, the connections it fostered.

He told me how they didn’t have laptops and computers when he was growing up, for reference, he was born in 1965, so they had to use the typewriter to type out their school assignments.

My Granny

While computers have largely replaced typewriters, their impact remains immeasurable. From enabling more accessible communication to providing women with professional opportunities, the typewriter was more than just a machine—it was a catalyst for change. 

Just like my granny’s life, the typewriter’s story is about resilience, innovation, and the unexpected ways we connect and communicate. 

And who knows? Maybe someday, our iPhones and MacBooks will sit in someone’s home, telling stories about our era of communication.

Eight Values of Free Expression

Of all the free expression theories we’ve discussed in class, the two that resonate with me the most are #4: “Individual Self-Fulfillment” and #8: “Protecting Dissent” because they have both significantly affected my life.

Growing up as a Black woman in America has allowed me to understand the importance of having spaces where I can express my true self. C. Edwin Baker’s theory of Self-Fulfillment speaks to me on a personal level because I have experienced firsthand trying to find my voice in a world that sometimes tries to stifle it. 

In high school, I switched from being in the public school system (both in VA and NC) my whole life to a private Catholic school because the high school I was placed in was not a great fit. 

Going to my small Catholic school, where my graduating class was 29, there were moments when I felt pressure to “code-switch,” or where I was called an “Oreo” for being “black on the outside, but white on the inside.” I sometimes had to downplay aspects of my identity to fit in, but eventually, I am to a point now where I don’t care what others say, and I am becoming the woman I want to be.

One specific instance that I think of happened during my junior year of high school. I was captain of the varsity soccer team, and we were playing an away game in New Bern, NC. I played left midfield, and during the game, a right mid-fielder on the other team beside me called me slurs. Of my team, I was the only Black person who was on the field (our goalkeeper was biracial, but she was in the goal away from everyone). 

After halftime, when we switched sides, not only was the mid-fielder calling me slurs, but the parents started to call me slurs and saying, “Go back to Africa,” and other ignorant phrases. 

In the middle of the game, I left my position and ran across the field to tell my coach. She did not want to listen to what I said because we were in the middle of a playoff game, and there weren’t any timeouts in soccer. After the game, I went straight to the bus, all the way to the back, and cried. 

My teammates saw me, and I told them what was wrong. They told my coach, and she told me I should’ve told her, and when I explained how I tried, she then felt “apologetic.” Unfortunately, being berated was common when playing against other small private schools in North Carolina.

Given my history of childhood trauma, my journey of self-discovery has had an even greater significance in my life. I struggled to voice what was being done to me, and then after I reported, I struggled to voice my trauma. The silence I felt was unbearable. 

Through journaling and eventually sharing my story with my closest friends, I was able to express myself. I’m still on my healing journey, but by being able to share and express myself freely, the more I heal. This is why I hold Baker’s idea that free expression is deeply connected to human dignity and autonomy so close to my heart. 

Reclaiming your voice is a powerful act of self-creation when your voice is taken away, as mine was when I was so young.

However, self-expression goes beyond being solely a personal issue; it’s also political. This is where Steve Shiffrin’s concept of Protecting Dissent becomes vital. In predominantly white spaces, including most of my classes my entire life, seeking my truth as a Black woman can often be an act of dissent. 

By sharing my lived experiences that challenge the comfortable narratives that some of my peers maintain about race in America, I exercise this essential right to disagree.

The value of protecting dissent can be seen in movements like Black Lives Matter. Individual stories serve as catalysts for confronting systemic injustices. 

When countless individuals share their experiences related to police brutality and discrimination, they aren’t just expressing their frustration, they are dissenting by creating a large, collective voice that demands attention and a solution to their problems. 

When I reflect on which free expression theory resonates most with me, I recognize that they all, in some way, intertwine seamlessly with lived experience. They are woven into my narrative as a Black woman, a survivor, a student, and a citizen striving to understand this messy but beautiful democracy we're all a part of.

Reflection on the US Supreme Court

Before watching Part I and Part II of the Supreme Court video, I had a pretty general understanding of how the Supreme Court worked, but I didn’t realize just how selective the justices are when choosing cases. They receive thousands of petitions, but they only hear a small fraction. 

Another thing that stuck with me was the justices’ tradition of shaking hands before every conference and argument. In my opinion, this simple gesture reinforces the idea that even though the justices may not agree ideologically, they can put those differences aside and be committed to working together. 

Another thing I found interesting was the way oral arguments are presented. They are basically just a conversation among the justices, with the attorneys acting as mediators.

If I could take one thing from the video, I would choose the fact that the Supreme Court's power isn't just about "enforcing" laws and determining whether or not the government acted in an unconstitutional manner. The job of the Supreme Court depends on public trust. For example, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954) was originally a 5-4 decision in favor of upholding "separate but equal." 

When Chief Justice Vinson died, and Governor Earl Warren (of CA) became the new Chief Justice, the composition of the court shifted. He convinced the justices that they needed this ruling to be unanimous because the American citizens would not have any faith in the Court, and they would lose their effectiveness. 

This is just one example of why the Supreme Court relies on public trust.

One of the things that I found most surprising from the video is how collaborative the process of writing opinions is. I always figured that once the justices ruled, one person wrote and published the opinion. But in fact, several drafts happen before we, the public, see the opinion. 

As drafts are passed around, justices sometimes change their votes. The fact that they collaborate this much amazes me, and it furthers my point that it is great that they shake hands at the beginning of deliberations because they work together more than I imagined. 

As pictured to the left, three of the nine current Supreme Court justices were appointed by Democratic presidents, and the remaining six justices were nominated by Republican presidents. Even though there are clear ideological differences, which can be seen in their opinions and rulings, they are still able to deliberate together without problem.  

Before I watched the videos, I viewed the Supreme Court as a very formal place—just nine justices in their black robes making decisions. However, the videos opened my eyes to them as individuals, each bringing their own unique personalities and perspectives to the law. 

Watching how they interact, engage in debates, and grapple with tough choices really deepened my appreciation for the human side of judicial decision-making. It also helped me understand how the Court skillfully balances tradition and stability while navigating new constitutional challenges as our society evolves.

NEWS?? Where Do I Get It From? My Top 5 Sources of News

1. Pantsuit Politics Podcast 

The Pantsuits Politics Podcast combines political, feminist, and cultural themes to tackle pressing issues. Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers are the podcast’s cohosts, and they make complex policies more clear and more understandable while also highlighting important details. 

I love how they blend a serious analysis with humor, creating a welcoming space. No matter the topic for the podcast episode: legislation, chatting with leaders, or linking politics to daily life, Sarah and Beth do it in a thought-provoking way that lets you form your own opinions. I think this podcast is ideal for people who are seeking a more genuine take on the news today.

2. ESPN

As a passionate sports fan, I believe that ESPN sets the standard for fantastic coverage from all leagues. I was on three varsity sports teams in high school: soccer, basketball, and cheerleading. I’m a massive fan of football (college and professional), college basketball, women’s soccer, and the WNBA. 

I feel like the thing that sets ESPN apart is that many outlets focus on game highlights and scores, but ESPN offers in-depth coverage of the entire sports world. Their mobile app lets me get personalized updates on teams I follow, like the Dallas Cowboys, USWNT (soccer), USC Gamecocks Women’s Basketball, UCONN Women’s Basketball, and the Portland Thorns. 

I love following trades, athlete changes in their personal lives, stats, coaching updates, and mock drafts. For those who are invested in sports, ESPN delivers top-quality content on every platform.

3. The Skimm This Podcast

Skimm This is another one of my go-to’s for a podcast that simplifies complex news into fun episodes. I love how it offers clear, bite-sized explanations of current events while retaining important details. The hosts are great at simplifying tricky policy issues, global news, sports news, and cultural insights in a conversational style instead of a strictly rattle-off-facts way. 

Their “Skimm Notes” provide helpful historical context before diving into the current topic. I think this podcast is great for anyone who has a busy schedule but wants to stay informed. This podcast balances thorough coverage and efficiency. 

4. GZERO Media 

GZERO Media is a fantastic resource that I recently got put on to by Dr. Setzler, one of my political science professors. GZERO is more of an international relations (IR) news source, but I consider it very objective. As a POLI-SCI major, I appreciate their mission to shed light on our “G-Zero” world, where no single country holds sway over international politics. 

They deliver clear and insightful analyses of global events that provide the rich context that is often glazed over in mainstream media. I think that for anyone curious about the importance of IR, GZERO’s balanced viewpoint on the links between politics, economics, and social dynamics is invaluable.

5. Allsides

Allsides has made my Top 5 Sources of News because it provides articles on topics from “all sides.” When I go onto the website, I can search for a topic, and it will give me articles, separated by what side the publisher leans towards, so I am informed while reading of the potential biases they may hold. 

Their media bias ratings with the side-by-side headline comparisons show me how biased the media has become. It is crazy to me how two different media outlets can discuss the same issue but approach it in entirely different ways, with different headlines to attract their intended audiences. 

I think for anyone who is curious about the biases of the media and how to form an opinion on an issue without bias, Allsides is a great news source.