USB typewriter goes 'clackity clackity clack DING' (video)

You can keep your Optimus and Das Keyboard clickers: nothing compares to the pure, physical, carpal tunnel-inducing feel of a manual typewriter. If you want to bring that feel to your new-age gadget, Jack Zylkin can deliver it, able to convert your Royal Standard to USB standard, and plenty of other brands too. The system works by having the keys strike a board and create a circuit which is then piped out of a ubiquitous A-Type connector. A DIY kit will set you back $75 and at least a couple hours of your time (maybe more), while a ready-to-click pre-assembled model costs between $400 and $500. Given the intricate nature of the install we'd say that's probably the better bet -- unless you're particularly attached to your old manual. Video demonstration after the break.

[patrickgs Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:15AM]

This is what i've been waiting for!

[pintozoz Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:21AM]

@patrickgs

I'd get this for my office. They usually claim not to know I'm there. They'd know I'm there with CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK DING!

[huzzlehoff Posted Jun 14th 2010 7:06AM]

@patrickgs

Haha. This is great.

[MosesusedaniPad Posted Jun 14th 2010 10:23AM]

@patrickgs
Using the iPad gives it that special touch. It turns the usual USB Typewriter fare into a visual feast for eyes, mind and soul. And a good plug for buying an iPad.

[buoy Posted Jun 14th 2010 12:07PM]

@pintozoz holy crap that's a jolt down memory lane lol! that's right, 10 characters from the end of the margin it makes a ding sound so you can do a hard carriage return.

I also remember when you accidentally press a key before waiting for the previous key to retract you can end up with the little hammers from 2 keys wrapped around each other. my gosh, I don't think I've given that a 2nd thought in the last 20 years. Cheers for the nostalgia!

[kineticdamage Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:20AM]

oh my god ...

[mynando Posted Jun 14th 2010 7:36AM]

@kineticdamage He's busy reading something more important.

[ZuurKen Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:21AM]

Whats the point of all these silly iPad posts?

[Jayenkai Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:23AM]

@ZuurKen To be fair, that's actually a USB Typewriter post.
The guy just happens to have an iPad strapped to it.

[pintozoz Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:23AM]

@ZuurKen Well fuck. I didn't even notice that iPad. The fact that you even mention it and the fact that the article nowhere mentions an iPad shows to me that YOU'RE the reason there are so many iPad posts. Because people take notice to them more than anything else.

Also, someone will call me a troll because of this post.

[ZuurKen Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:32AM]

@Jayenkai Yea right, as if it was another device connected to the typewriter it would ever get posted on here.

[huzzlehoff Posted Jun 14th 2010 7:08AM]

@pintozoz

I didn't notice it either

[pfromg Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:27AM]

when it loses the cable , i'm in.

[Dew Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:31AM]

@pfromg ...but then it wouldn't be a USB device. =(

[pfromg Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:36AM]

@Dew

wireless....usb

[darkmax Posted Jun 14th 2010 7:28AM]

@pfromg
I agree. If it loses the cable I'll get one as well... Do they have the Remington models?!

[Epyon Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:30AM]

What the hell is that ugly ass white adapter?


.........oh yeah

[The Madman Posted Jun 14th 2010 8:34AM]

@Epyon Feel the burn, fruit factory lovers!

[chasing statues Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:47AM]

you had some fun writing that title, eh?

[Jon Presco Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:54AM]

I'm first.

[Jon Presco Posted Jun 14th 2010 6:56AM]

And that's irony!

[Khris Posted Jun 14th 2010 7:21AM]

@Jon Presco No, just immature stupidity.

[Bobot Posted Jun 14th 2010 7:42AM]

@Khris
failure...

[Fuzzball Posted Jun 14th 2010 8:34AM]

My IBM Model M keyboard works just fine, thank you very much. The reason for the buckling spring was to provide tactile and audio feedback that a manual typewriter does.

[Mercurysunblast Posted Jun 14th 2010 8:53AM]

I didn't even notice the iPad there. I was just looking at the awesomeness of the typewriter...

[AxelFury Posted Jun 14th 2010 9:35AM]

Will it run Crysis?

[janaltus Posted Jun 14th 2010 9:45AM]

" ... nothing compares to the pure, physical, carpal tunnel-inducing feel of a manual typewriter."

Nothing could be further from the truth. The incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and other (keyboard related) repetitive stress/strain injuries was very low in the days when manual typewriters were widespread. It is only when we were moved onto electric typewriters and later, computers (which were heavily reliant on the use of the carpal-tunnel inducing mouse) that RSIs became so widespread.

I still keep my Remington portable handy, for envelopes, shopping lists, forms, etc, When kids - who see me typing on a manual - pick up their jaws from the ground, from shock, they often comment positively, such as how low energy/carbon neutral my contraption must be.

[thisNthat Posted Jun 14th 2010 9:51AM]

There was no DING...

[Theta Posted Jun 14th 2010 10:11AM]

This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen.

SOMEBODY PATCH IN THE DING

[dingus Posted Jun 14th 2010 10:22AM]

I don't have the requisite ironic beard or glasses to own one of these.

[richb93 Posted Jun 14th 2010 10:44AM]

Awesome, my sub got posted :)