Why Was The Typewriter Important Impact History Explained

The typewriter may seem like an obsolete relic in today’s digital world, but its invention marked a revolutionary shift in how humans communicate, record information, and conduct business. Before computers, smartphones, or even photocopiers, the typewriter stood as the primary tool for producing legible, standardized written text at speed. Its emergence in the late 19th century didn’t just improve writing efficiency—it transformed entire industries, redefined gender roles in the workplace, and laid the foundation for modern office culture.

To understand the full scope of its importance, we must look beyond mechanics and examine how the typewriter altered social structures, empowered marginalized groups, and accelerated the spread of ideas across continents.

The Birth of Mechanical Writing

The first practical typewriter was patented by Christopher Latham Sholes, Carlos Glidden, and Samuel Soule in 1868. Known as the Sholes & Glidden Type-Writer, it introduced the QWERTY keyboard layout still used today. Early models were clunky and unreliable, but they solved a critical problem: handwriting was slow, inconsistent, and often illegible. For businesses, legal offices, and publishers, this inefficiency hindered productivity and scalability.

By allowing users to type characters with consistent spacing and appearance, the typewriter brought uniformity to documentation. Contracts, letters, manuscripts, and reports could now be produced quickly and clearly, reducing errors and misunderstandings. This mechanical precision made documents more professional and authoritative—qualities essential for growing bureaucracies and corporations.

Tip: The QWERTY layout wasn’t designed for speed—it was engineered to prevent key jams by slowing typists down slightly.

Redefining the Modern Office

Prior to the typewriter, most clerical work relied on handwritten copying by scribes or junior clerks. These tasks were time-consuming and prone to mistakes. With the typewriter, one person could produce multiple clean copies in a fraction of the time. Offices became faster, more organized, and capable of handling larger volumes of correspondence and data.

This shift catalyzed the rise of the “white-collar” worker. As demand for typists grew, so did the need for trained professionals who could operate these machines efficiently. Secretarial schools sprang up across the U.S. and Europe, offering courses in typing, shorthand, and office etiquette. The typewriter essentially created a new labor category—one that would dominate administrative work for nearly a century.

“Before the typewriter, there was no such thing as an office assistant. After it, there was no office without one.” — Dr. Rebecca Ortenberg, Historian of Technology and Gender

Empowering Women in the Workforce

One of the most profound societal impacts of the typewriter was its role in opening professional doors for women. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, few career paths were available to women outside of domestic service, teaching, or nursing. The typewriter changed that.

Because typing was seen as a mechanical, repetitive task rather than intellectual labor, employers considered it suitable for women. Companies began hiring female typists en masse—not only because they were willing to work for lower wages than men but also because their presence gave offices a sense of order and decorum.

While this shift was rooted in gender stereotypes, it nonetheless provided women with unprecedented access to financial independence and urban employment. By 1910, over 85% of typists in the United States were women. Many used their positions as stepping stones into management, journalism, and other fields previously closed to them.

A Real Example: The Case of Lillian Moller Gilbreth

Lillian Moller Gilbreth, one of the first female industrial engineers, began her career as a secretary using a typewriter. Her experience with office workflows led her to pioneer time-and-motion studies, improving efficiency in both factories and homes. She later advised governments and corporations, proving that skills developed through typewriting could lead to high-impact careers. Her journey illustrates how the typewriter served not just as a tool, but as a gateway to broader opportunities.

Transforming Publishing and Literature

The typewriter democratized authorship. Before its widespread use, writers either penned manuscripts by hand or dictated to assistants. Both methods were slow and limited in reach. With a typewriter, authors could draft, revise, and submit work directly—without relying on intermediaries.

Famous writers like Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and Agatha Christie embraced the machine. Twain was among the first to submit a typed manuscript (for *Life on the Mississippi*, 1883), which reduced typesetting errors and sped up publication. For journalists, war correspondents, and playwrights, portability and reliability made portable typewriters indispensable tools.

Literary output increased dramatically during the typewriter era. More voices entered print, including those from working-class backgrounds who gained access to affordable secondhand machines. The barrier to entry for publishing lowered, contributing to a cultural boom in novels, newspapers, and political tracts.

Global Communication and Bureaucracy

As governments expanded in the 20th century, so did their need for standardized documentation. The typewriter became central to diplomatic cables, military orders, census records, and legal filings. It enabled large-scale administration by making it possible to generate thousands of identical forms, memos, and directives.

In colonial administrations, typewriters helped maintain control over distant territories by streamlining communication between imperial centers and outposts. In democratic nations, they supported transparency by creating permanent, readable records of decisions and policies.

Even intelligence agencies relied heavily on typewriters. Until the advent of secure digital networks, encrypted messages were often typed on modified machines to prevent interception. Some Cold War-era espionage cases involved agents smuggling microfilm inside typewriter cases—a testament to the device’s strategic value.

Timeline: Key Moments in Typewriter History

1. 1868: First commercially viable typewriter (Sholes & Glidden) released by E. Remington and Sons.
2. 1881: Columbia Typewriter Company introduces the first typewriter with a shift key.
3. 1896: IBM’s predecessor, the Tabulating Machine Company, begins integrating typewriters with data processing systems.
4. 1909: Portable typewriters become widely available, enabling field reporting and travel writing.
5. 1935: Over 90% of American offices use typewriters as standard equipment.
6. 1980s: Word processors and personal computers begin replacing typewriters in most settings.

Typewriter vs. Handwriting: A Comparative Overview

Feature	Typewriter	Handwriting
Speed	60–100 words per minute (trained typist)	20–40 words per minute
Legibility	Consistent and standardized	Varies by individual; often hard to read
Error Correction	Difficult; required correction fluid or retyping	Easy with pen/strikethrough
Durability of Copies	Carbon copies allowed duplication	Each copy had to be rewritten
Professional Perception	Associated with modernity and efficiency	Seen as informal or outdated in business

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the typewriter invent the secretary?

No, but it defined the role. While clerical assistants existed before, the typewriter formalized secretarial duties around document production, scheduling, and correspondence—many of which remain core to administrative work today.

Why did the QWERTY keyboard become standard?

Despite being suboptimal for speed, QWERTY minimized mechanical jamming in early typewriters. Once adopted by major manufacturers and taught in typing schools, it became entrenched due to network effects—users, educators, and companies all standardized around it.

Are typewriters still used anywhere today?

Yes, in niche contexts. Some courts require physical typewriters for certain filings to prevent digital tampering. Writers like David McCullough and Hunter S. Thompson preferred typewriters for creative focus. Additionally, typewriters are valued in regions with limited electricity or internet access.

Tip: If you're exploring vintage writing tools, consider a manual typewriter for distraction-free drafting—it forces clarity and discipline in composition.

Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of a Mechanical Marvel

The typewriter was far more than a precursor to the computer. It reshaped economies, elevated literacy, expanded women’s roles in society, and set the stage for the information age. Every email, word processor, and keyboard layout we use today inherits principles established by the click-clack of metal keys striking paper over a century ago.

Its legacy lives on not just in technology, but in the very idea that clear, efficient communication is foundational to progress. Whether you’re drafting a novel, filing a report, or sending a message, you’re engaging with a world the typewriter helped create.

🚀 Ready to reflect on the tools shaping your work? Share this article with someone who appreciates history—or still keeps a typewriter on their desk.