The dear old Olivetti, with its inky keys
and their tendency to sticking,
and oft-times, misspelling.
Keys with relentless fists of steel,
that flailed each sheet of paper
with stolid determination.
Keys which hammered on, regardless...
till the end of the line - floored
by that indefatigable bell.
Keys that yelled, with gusto,
“I’m working. Please, do not disturb!”
replaced by technocratic innovation.
Keys that told, both the truth
and an inadvertent lie, presently rusting
on some junk-heap...
or, at best, gathering dust
in a bric-a-brac shop – to end their days
a tear in some nostalgic eye.
Keys that enchcanted, perplexed, excited,
keys I cut my author’s teeth on...silenced,
yet through it all, the word survives.

Comments
richielee70 | November 14, 2009 - 09:33
do you remember the ZX81 ? the spectrum ?hehe
Silver Spun Sand | November 14, 2009 - 10:27
Ah, yes! It was introduced in the early eighties, I think...The first 'cheap' home computer innovatively marketed by Sinclair. I never used one because by that time I'd given up my office job to raise the family.
What I do remember after my Olivetti typewriter, was the introduction of the 'golf balls' in the seventies. They were little devils though, always going wrong, or at least mine was.
And my very first 'portable typewriter' in the sixties was called a 'Corona' and that was my favourite of all. I think my mum and dad bought it for me on my sixteenth birthday. Those were the days!
My thanks to you for reading, richie and for jogging my memory. Have a good weekend;-)
Tina
luigi_pagano | November 14, 2009 - 12:26
Ah, I remember it well! I believe I got the first ZX81 prototype. I had ordered a ZX80 which was the first Sinclair affordable computer and was supplied with the next model which I think was still at the stage of development. Very limited memory.
I too had a Corona typewriter but that was a present to me from myself.
Anyway I digress. A lovely nostalgic poem, Tina, and so true: technology may become obsolete but the word will last forever.
BTW I have now posted a truly fresh poem based on the current IP.
Kisses, Luigi
Curse of 222 | November 14, 2009 - 14:26
a very enjoyable read this is. my very first writing was done on an old typewriter that i found in a friend's attic. i had a bear of a time finding ink-ribbons for it.
jason
Silver Spun Sand | November 14, 2009 - 14:34
Hi, Jason.
Please don't remind me about the ink-ribbons. I used to get my fingers in such a mess, trying to fit the devils to my machine. They would end up twisted, round the wrong way, and completely to pot!!
My thanks to you for reading and for sharing your memories;-)
Tina
Cavalcaderl | November 15, 2009 - 00:45
new Silver-spun-sand
like the 1st verse
The dear old Olivetti,
with it;s inky keys
and their tendency
to sticking
and oft-times misspelling
Yes I remember Olivetti belated
dad had Remington clack clack!
and once I had an electric one
couldn't get on with backspace and
mistake-- eee
In office young I'd learn't shorthand
bit someone said Horses head shorthand
I knew meant but keep up typing no!
so put me upstairs joining big knobs
one mistake 12 carbons had do again
and tipex do you remember! hated.
julie xx
Silver Spun Sand | November 15, 2009 - 08:37
Tippex - yuk! I was forever spilling it on my clothes, etc.
My thanks to you for reading, Julie. Glad it brought back some memories for you.
Have a good Sunday.
Tina;-)x
Cavalcaderl | November 15, 2009 - 14:01
new Silver-spun-sand
Loved title 'Saved by the bell' your's
I must be the cat with 9 lives'
'Dancing Puddles' happened other day here!
I'm deciding to book in day centre or xmas
day and few I know. good few I know. Always wanted go away xmas.
I was gobsmacked he! went out 2nd day tells me try to get on? won't shop with me doesn't like it! furious. It's hours he out snooker and x wok pal she
split but to go of next day again enough is enough snooker.Years on night's another story I do all without him sham like this now.So must get out space!
I used to help ch; shelter now new one heard but they don't come and do you work do they homeless all be waited on and shop give me mince pies for them and
toys if I did toy stall it was great!boxing day film.
wonderful dinner good all gave time up. Everything then was done by prayer+ and laid out well all take part 7 years. Best part was asked buying all asked gloves,hats a gift all we did homeless.and market for fete's buy and priests collect for me.I buy dolls and toys wash and clean hair.etc; Iv'e had a big clear out cards and photos! ripped up some shouldn't. feel good.Not on deeds after 30 years when he went once am now, so all make sure you are?
get my anger of him out of me.There's a song called 'Stand by me' never has.really oh: well how boring.I;m not going church time is gone there washing left all out. stop moaning.!!He says now I'm only nice to those I meet not true.Families and him problems.All young and old died war Afghan still families etc; can't get on. sad. !Bring me sunshine'.smile xx we have nothing in common to be included is was the key? X factor great but arguments
win sides.Wanted see Abba not at £20 ticket going give it to young hero d aged only 20 doing walk 9 miles and for hig regiment in paper.Think to old walk both ways.
I was up till 1.am on here after x factor.
Bad weather forecast.Have a good week end
only use mug to keep other gave someone liked.
julie xx x cavalcader -:) toodle-loo for now.
tcook | November 16, 2009 - 12:50
Ah - the day they took our typewriters out of the IRN newsroom was one of the saddest of my life. Suddenly the clatter that marked the build up to each hour and the next news bulletin was silenced. The frenzied rise and fall of our lives was taken away. I loved the sound of twenty hapless journalists smashing two bits out of their typewriters, ripping the paper from the roller and screaming 'copy' with seconds to go.
sarah wilson | November 16, 2009 - 15:47
I loved my Olivetti golf ball when rushing out press releases in the good old days of PR when you could send a client a piece of paper and he would scrawl all over it in red pen. Then they took it away and gave me a word processor. Things were never the same!
Great poem Tina xxx
Silver Spun Sand | November 16, 2009 - 16:58
Did anyone ever tell you how good a writer you are, Tony;-) I love the sentence:- 'The frenzied rise and fall of our lives was taken away'.
In fact, your whole description of the IRN newsroom made the place come alive for me - never having been anywhere quite like that myself.
Thank you for sharing in such a colourful way.
Tina
Beeme | November 16, 2009 - 17:01
When I was little I had a pink typewriter, not the typewriters that you are talking about I'm sure but they were great fun to use! I love the poem, just beautiful. My favourite verse is the last x
Silver Spun Sand | November 16, 2009 - 17:03
Sarah - funny you should say that about the golf-balls.
Where I used to work, our boss spent hundreds of pounds equipping all us admin with said golf-balls.
Six month's later a rep came in and demonstrated one of the revolutionary, new word processors. He, and of course, we were hooked and he was left with fifteen or so redundant typewriters. Poor chap.
My thanks to you for reading and sharing your memories...and don't mention that red pen!!!!
Tina xxx
Silver Spun Sand | November 16, 2009 - 17:06
Hi there, Beeme. I know exactly what you are talking about - my granddaughter had one. Yes, they were 'toys' but they worked and in exactly the same way as the 'real' ones.
Gosh, I wish I wasn't old enough to remember them, dear Beeme. And I would have loved a pink one;-)
Tina x
Nathan Bednarek | November 17, 2009 - 21:53
Beautiful. I really enjoyed this. Well done.
Nathan xox
Silver Spun Sand | November 18, 2009 - 11:51
And thank you, again, Nathan;-) Good of you to take time out of your very busy days at the moment, to read this and I am so glad it was obviously worth it.
Tina xox
MistakenMagic | November 19, 2009 - 20:28
Love the repetition in this one Tina - and a very original subject matter too ;) Well done on the cherry!
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | November 20, 2009 - 08:31
Thank you, Magic...of course you are way, way too young to remember these wonderful machines. Wish I was;-)
Tina xxx
Cavalcaderl | November 23, 2009 - 00:34
New t.cook well done!
enjoyed your comments typewriter's Tony
But sound of 20 hapless journalists
be to much for me! I was learner carbon copy
everywhere and noise typists room clackety! clackety!
loud.One mistake 12 copies have do all again!foolscap.Children used to have typewriter round circle turned for each letter vaguely remember.
Yours is well written Tony. Be in touch for another 2 mugs soon, I put all buy?but was getting short so put it back, then walk home, it was amazing what happened later!!going into shops!! after Sunday how much please 2 more mugs. I can't do IP not
poet but have 2nd hand books of poems shall I find one! and put on or not.kind regards
julie x cavalcader (;-
"JedEdward still in X factor great.Win will.