Insert the keyboard of your mobile device into this functionally similar replica typewriter and press the keys. The corresponding hammer will press the same key on the much smaller device.
-- rcarty, Aug 11 2012

I love steampunk gadgetry http://www.oddee.com/item_97670.aspx
[Phrontistery, Aug 11 2012]

Typewriter_20computer Looks a lot like this idea to me, unless I'm not understanding something. [xenzag, Aug 11 2012]

Typewriter replaces keyboard http://www.etsy.com/shop/usbtypewriter
Are these the idea? [CraigD, Aug 11 2012]

Less usable, much cooler http://www.flickr.c...577195521/lightbox/
Apperantly someones homemade, inspired by Terry Gilliam's classic "Brazil". Alas, no place to plug in a mobile device. [CraigD, Aug 11 2012]

I've thought in the past that if the grapheme on a typewriter hammer were to be replaced by a Yi Jing-style character made of metal, it would be able to close or leave open circuits indicating their ASCII code. This would seem to provide a straightforward mechanical interface to an electronic digital device. However, i realise you mean a purely mechanical method. How about a pair of mechanical hands connected to a keyboard?
-- nineteenthly, Aug 11 2012


Hands would work except mechanicallly complex. You have given me an idea to be posted shortly. The digital mechanical interface would work too, but this idea would hopefully work for touch screeen keyboards as well as ones with buttons such as my own.
-- rcarty, Aug 11 2012


Actually this notion of mechanical hands being used to press a button that are operated in much the same way is close to the observation that media is an extension of the human body made by McLuhan. However the human motion is filtered through a mechanical system to keep each one standardized, calculated, predictable, controlled, efficient, etc. For example each key press using this sort of typewriter is consistent, accurate, same pressure applied each time, duration of contact controlled etc. ... ultimately the end result social exchange through media takes on that quality.
-- rcarty, Aug 11 2012


Nice! I'm dusting off my Underwood as we speak. Where do I send it for retrofitting? [+]
-- Grogster, Aug 11 2012


Wonderful idea. All for it. +
-- blissmiss, Aug 11 2012


xenzag, that is a remarkable idea because I had a typewriter with an lcd display when I was a child, an electronic typewriter. This idea uses a phone in place of paper.
-- rcarty, Aug 11 2012


Ok - I get it now .... bit slow today :-)
-- xenzag, Aug 11 2012


The idea is the typewriter presses the buttons on the phone.
-- rcarty, Aug 11 2012


Ah, much steampunk cooler than using USB! I don’t believe it’s been done.
-- CraigD, Aug 11 2012



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