Press Release

The Typewriter: An Innovation in Writing

05/10/2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Charles Schuler
Director of Communications
San Francisco International Airport
650.821.5031
SF-17-27

 

The Typewriter: An Innovation in Writing
New exhibition highlights typewriter technology through more than a century of design

SAN FRANCISCO - The typewriter is one of the great inventions of the modern world.  A marvel of industrial engineering and ingenuity, it revolutionized communication and was an essential tool for countless writers.  To comprehend the typewriter’s impact, consider a world where typing did not exist and handwriting was the main form of non-verbal communication.  The ease and speed of communication on paper increased dramatically when typewriters became available in the late 1800s. Typewriting was efficient, created clear and legible documents, and easily produced multiple copies using carbon paper.

In recent years, a renewed interest in typewriting has brought many of these classic machines back into focus.  Unlike computers, typewriters translate ideas directly onto paper through an audible rhythm of keys and swinging type-bars.  There is no delete function to shroud errors, and a well-edited typescript illustrates a creative process through handwritten notations and corrections typed over in ink.  Today, collectors and writers all over the world value the timeless aesthetics and utility of the typewriter.  This exhibition traces a history of typewriter technology and innovation through more than a century of design, from early writing machines to modern portables and Asian typewriters with thousands of characters.

Thank you to the following lenders for making this exhibition possible: California Typewriter, Computer History Museum, History San José, Joe Welch American Antique Museum, Mickey McGowan, Thomas S. Mullaney, Timothy S. Mundorff, Museum of American Heritage, Peter Smith, Steve Soboroff, Nick Tauriainen, and Janine Vangool.

The online version of the exhibition is viewable at: http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/typewriter-innovation-writing.

The Typewriter: An Innovation in Writing is located beyond security screening in Terminal 2, Departures Level, San Francisco International Airport.  The exhibition is on view to Terminal 2 ticketed passengers from May 13, 2017 to January 28, 2018.  There is no charge to view the exhibition.

 

SFO Museum

SFO Museum was established by the Airport Commission in 1980 for the purposes of humanizing the Airport environment, providing visibility for the unique cultural life of San Francisco, and providing educational services for the traveling public.  The Museum was granted initial accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 1999, reaccredited in 2005, and has the distinction of being the only accredited museum in an airport.  Today, SFO Museum features approximately twenty galleries throughout the Airport terminals displaying a rotating schedule of art, history, science, and cultural exhibitions, as well as the San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum, a permanent collection dedicated to the history of commercial aviation.  To browse current and past exhibitions, research our collection, or for more information, please visit www.flysfo.com/museum.  Follow us on www.facebook.com/SFOMuseum, www.twitter.com/SFOMuseum, or www.instagram.com/SFOMuseum.
 

About San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more than 46 international cities on 39 international carriers. The Bay Area's largest airport connects non-stop with 80 cities in the U.S. on 13 domestic airlines.  SFO is proud to offer upgraded free Wi-Fi with no advertising.  For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit www.flysfo.com. Follow us on www.twitter.com/flysfo and  www.facebook.com/flysfo.