Observed annually on June 23rd, National Typewriter Day is a holiday that celebrates a tool that has been used by writers for decades and is still used by some today. The first typewriter was built in 1867 and has been used all over the world ever since.

Although the rise of personal computers has somewhat put typewriters on the back burner of history, typewriters still symbolize the free exchange of ideas and the literary spirit. Perhaps that’s enough for everyone who has ever dreamed of being a novelist, playwright, poet, or screenwriter to take a few moments out of their day to honor this remarkable device and what it represents.

Interesting Facts About Typewriters

Below are some interesting facts about typewriters that we feel all typewriter enthusiasts will appreciate.

• The first typewriter was patented by English inventor Henry Mill in 1714, but it was never manufactured.
• The QWERTY keyboard was designed in 1873 to reduce the chance of keys jamming and to increase typing speed.
• Mark Twain claimed that his novel “Tom Sawyer,” which was published in 1876, was the first novel written on a typewriter.
• Typewriters are still heavily used in countries where personal computers are banned.
• In the U.S., typewriters began to be replaced by personal computers during the 1980s.

Observing National Typewriter Day

National Typewriter Day can be observed in a number of different ways. First, you can take a few moments to learn about the history of the typewriter and its importance to society. This day can also be celebrated by taking out a typewriter that you might have and putting it to good use.

If you don’t have a typewriter, you can always visit one of the many typewriter museums that exist around the world. These include the Liverpool Typewriter Museum, the Chestnut Ridge Typewriter Museum, or the Technical Museum of the Empordà. And finally, you can observe this holiday by using the hashtag #NationalTypewriterDay on your social media accounts.