Summary Schweitzer said some writers prefer a typewriter over a computer.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Paul Schweitzer, 80, has been around typewriters for most of his life. His father, Abraham, started the Gramercy Typewriter Company in Manhattan in 1932 during the Great Depression. And in 1959, Paul Schweitzer began working in the business and is still at it 59 years later.
Schweitzer said despite the invention of computers and smartphones, his typewriter business remains steady thanks, in part, to younger people embracing vintage products.
"We’ve noticed in the last number of years, most of the typewriters and the portable, manual typewriters that we sell on a daily basis are all being bought by the younger people," Schweitzer said from his shop in Manhattan. "They want to have a typewriter. They want to write. They want to do some poetry. They have their computers, but they they’ve seen a typewriter and they want typewriters."
Schweitzer said some writers prefer a typewriter over a computer.
"When they’re working on a typewriter, they’re not being distracted. Writing, you’re writing a story with the computer, there are other pop-ups or other distractions. You concentrate when you’re typing with your typewriter," he said.
He added, "You’re seeing the letters and the words hit the paper. It’s a nice feeling for a writer to type on a machine, and they really enjoy it."
Schweitzer’s shop is charming and has the feel of traveling back in time. Vintage typewriters for sale are on display against the wall. There is a vintage adding machine, but no computers.
An old Smith-Corona costs about $295 (USD). A refurbished Royal or Hermes typewriter can cost about $595. Schweitzer said he sells "many" typewriters per week.
George Katehis, a PhD student and typewriter collector, said he often gives typewriters as gifts. For Katehis, the typewriter offers a special feeling you can’t get with a computer.
"The manual process of the ink being applied to the paper, that is something that really is not captured with printers. And also like the breakdown of the ink as the ribbon degrades, and all of this is very beautiful and fascinating to me," he said.
Schweitzer’s son Justin also works at the shop, repairing and refurbishing typewriters using manual tools in a cluttered room. He will continue the family business.
"There’s a need for somebody who can still maintain, overhaul and rebuild a typewriter," said the elder Schweitzer.
Paul Schweitzer said in addition to selling typewriters and typewriter ribbons for between $10 and $20 dollars a piece, repair and maintenance of new and old office equipment are huge parts of his business.
Schweitzer said he services businesses such as law firms, accountants and publishing houses who still use vintage or IBM electric typewriters. He also repairs laser printers.
Asked whether he uses computers, Schweitzer said, "Someday maybe, but not yet. When I get a little older, maybe I’ll get into something like that. Right now I do with how I’ve always ran my life and my business. And I’ll just continue doing it the same way. It works. Not changing anything."
