- Two enthusiastic lads harbor a fondness for typewriters.
Tap-tap-tap, Ding, Crank: Each keystroke from Jakob Kramp's fingers echoes through the air as he composes stories on his antique Olivetti Ico typewriter. At 23, the Saarland resident relishes the tactile experience of creating content on this 90-year-old machine: "I commit it to paper, and voila! It appears impressive as well," declares the physics student in Wiltingen. Surrounded by other timeless typewriters—Adler, Mercedes, Erika, Remington, Olympia, Valentine, Underwood, and Continental—he points out that they coexist in incredible harmony in this vintage-filled room.
There's no denying the sheer volume of these historical gems; Kramp's cousin Paul Hallmanns estimates they have well over 100. Both men acknowledge their shared fascination for these antique machines, having discovered a love for them as adolescents. "It's like traveling through history with these typewriters," says the 24-year-old, who is also studying at the University of Giessen. As avid restoration experts, they cover these types in cast iron with black piano lacquer, where each clack, ding, and hum serves as auditory tribute to the past.
The duo occasionally turn to these mechanical wonders in hopes of slowing down and engaging with their thoughts directly without any digital buffers. Kramp, who specializes in physics, even jots down his shopping lists by hand on the vintage machine.
Early beginnings
Kramp was first introduced to typewriters as a teenager with his grandmother and great-aunt, the experiences sparking his passion. In school, he and his cousin often typed reports and meeting minutes on their typewriters in the student council. Convenience was another advantage as typewriters, despite being analog, always seemed readily available. This early experimentation in repair and restoration paved the way for their future endeavors.
Today, they manage their Antiquen-Schreibmaschinenwerkstatt, tucked away in an old hayloft conversion. Kramp remarks that there's a scarcity of places in Germany where typewriters can be repaired, making their workshop and service a rare treasure in the community. Some clients rely on their skillset for maintenance, such as the local vintner who still writes receipts with his antique typewriter.
Those lucky enough to enjoy the novelty of a restored typewriter can purchase one online. The shop caters to customers throughout Germany and overseas, with the duo selling refurbished machines to collectors and passionate writers alike.
Crafting refurbished machines has provided them with hands-on knowledge of these mechanical marvels. When they first embarked on their tinkering journey, their ambition often resulted in damaged machines. But now, their proficiency allows them to successfully repair and restore. Occasionally parts are hard to come by, leading to resourceful problem-solving to work around these hurdles.
Despite the sheer joy the men find in crafting new life into vintage machines, the business doesn't generate a substantial income. Nonetheless, their passion for the antique keeps them motivated to continue their creations. Kramp also points out that their appreciation for the past doesn't diverge them from the digital realm. "We're typewriter enthusiasts, not purists," he clarifies.
Positive associations
The general public seems to associate typewriters with nostalgia and appreciation. Each week, Didczuneit, head of collections at the Museum for Communication Berlin, receives new, well-preserved typewriters. He observes that enthusiasts cherish their precious family histories accompanying them when they donate. However, the museum already houses an extensive collection spanning the past 130 years, boasting over 300 unique examples.
Today, using a typewriter represents a unique experience fit for special occasions. Typewriters that once functioned as the main source of communication in offices are now considered decorative and encouraging conversation. Didczuneit attributes this new perspective to the shift towards digitalization when electronic devices have taken over traditional writing methods.
With the impending departure of Hallmann to Italian Bologna for his semester abroad, he plans to take his traditional letter-writing skills along. "I'd probably bring the Olivetti Ico typewriter with me to jot down letters back home," he shares. He can't envision his time in Italy without his vintage companion by his side.
Kramp's refurbished typewriters, including the Olivetti Ico with a circular cross-section, often have a black piano lacquer finish, adding to their vintage charm. In the old hayloft conversion, the Antiquen-Schreibmaschinenwerkstatt caters to customers seeking refurbished machines with other timeless gems of circular cross-section, such as the Continental or the Valentine.
