![]() The keycaps are also very solid-feeling with a gap between the cap and the metal platform beneath the key. Along the right-hand edge of the unit is a rocker-switch, yep an honest-to-goodness rocker switch that is used to turn the unit on or off. Of course these too have been made modern and functional, one serves as a volume control wheel and the other as a scroll wheel. These even have the little grooves on them, just like the knobs that were used to roll paper in or out of the typewriter. On the sides of the unit, again toward the back, are roller knobs, one on each side. This has been repurposed into a stand that can accommodate many tablets. On the top of the unit, toward the back, is what looks like the old paper trays that used to collect page after page of writing. The case is made out of solid aluminum and while it’s much easier to transport than its namesake, it’s still very solid. The QWERKYWRITER looks and feels like a typewriter. ![]() It wasn’t until I listened to a wonderful podcast demo by David Woodbridge that I decided that this was something I really just had to have. When I first heard about the QWERKYWRITER, I wasn’t sure what to think about it. I found out that this isn’t very advisable with modern keyboards after I once hit the spacebar with a little too much vigor: The spacebar flew across the desk, a little plastic piece flew across the room, and I’m pretty sure the spring is still in orbit somewhere around the Moon. And of course there was a certain gratification that could only be realized after hammering on the return key at the end of an angry letter or memo, as if that would truly help to emphasize the point. There was never any question as to whether a key was pressed hard enough or not because a hard click would signify success, almost as if the typewriter were saying, “Hey friend, I got you.”. I used to drum my fingers on the edge of the typewriter while I pondered what I planned to write next, something that is challenging for me now that so many keyboards hardly have edges anymore. Generations of people might come and go, but the typewriter would remain where it was, impervious to it all. For one thing, a typewriter was a solid, almost immoveable object. ![]() Typewriters weren’t all struggle though, they had many advantages that one just doesn’t find in most computer keyboards these days. Ah, but these were the norm for those of us who used typewriters back in the day and did we complain? … Yes, yes we did. They will never understand the feelings that come after typing a masterpiece only to realize that the latest few sentences were permanently inked on the roller because the paper had run out minutes earlier. I mean they will never know the joy of erasing character by character, just hoping the correction ribbon hadn’t run out yet. Now, I realize that some of my readers may never have used a good ol’ typewriter which is kind of sad. Inspired by the classic typewriter, the QWERKYWRITEr is one of the coolest and most interesting mechanical computer keyboards I’ve ever used.
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