PHOENIX — Call it the sound of a rebellion.
The clickety-clack of typewriters is coming from many teens and 20-somethings these days. They are using the antiquated machines as a creative escape from computers and the internet.
>> Live, local, breaking. Download the 12News app
“With computers, there are distractions everywhere,” said Max Johnson, a senior at Heritage Academy in Mesa who brings a typewriter to school every day. “And if you have ADHD like I do, it’s worse.”
“It’s just you and the keys”
Typewriters are gaining popularity among young people, in part, for what they do not have: there’s no power cord, no internet connection, no temptation to jump online, and no AI prompts.
A generation that grew up with computer screens and the ability to delete and re-write views typewriters as a tool for focusing.
“With the typewriter, it’s just you and the keys. It just lets your brain flow and put words on the paper,” said Johnson, who refurbished his grandfather’s 1964 Smith Corona. He typically uses the typewriter for special projects, tasks in music class, and to write letters during his free time. He recently wrote letters to a state lawmaker and to his girlfriend.
“A lot more consideration goes into what you write with a typewriter,” Johnson said.
Johnson jokes that when he gets the typewriter out, he gets looks of amusement and a little “grief” from some students.
“The first time I brought it, a lot of people were like, ‘woah! A typewriter.’ The English teachers were fascinated by it,” Johnson said.
“There’s a mystique to typewriters”
“Young people love typewriters,” said Theodore Munk, who runs the largest typewriter database in the world. Munk attends typewriter meet-ups at Phoenix-area libraries and says more young people are involved than ever before.
“There’s a mystique to the typewriter. It brings out the writer in you,” Munk said. “These kids have never seen these machines. It’s something solid, something they can play with. Bang on.”
Celebrities like Tom Hanks and Taylor Swift have given antique typewriters popularity. Hanks is a well-known collector and Swift uses images of typewriters in promotional videos.
1947 Mesa typewriter exchange benefits from renewed interest
“Right now I have about 20 machines waiting to be repaired,” said Bill Wahl of Mesa Typewriter Exchange.
Wahl is a 3rd generation owner of his typewriter shop. Unlike the era of his grandfather, business today is mostly driven by collectors and young people trying out a typewriter for the first time. Wahl noticed a trend of young people wanting to fix old typewriters beginning about 20 years ago.
“I would have never expected that. I have customers from 8-years-old on up,” Wahl said. “A lot of them have a big vocabulary, high IQ. A lot of them are home-schooled, very creative.”
When Wahl refurbishes a typewriter, it usually doesn’t last more than a day on the shelf.
“About half of my customers are under the age of 30,” he said.
Type-in events in Chandler draw kids
21-year-old Jeremiah Bukovszky has organized several “type-in” events at Chandler libraries.
Bukovsky says he likes “the analogue aspect” of typewriters. He owns seven.
“It’s a lot more real than a computer I like how it’s part of history, I like how they feel, sound, smell, just everything,” Bukovsky said.
He compares using typewriters to test-driving cars. Each one has a different feel.
“There’s a therapeutic aspect to typewriting as well,” he said.
The cost for refurbished typewriters can range from $20 to more than $1,000. Most of Wahl’s business involves repairing typewriters. He owns hundreds of typewriters that he uses for spare parts.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.