This had to have been one of the last models made by Smith-Corona. We must be talking early 80’s here. I got it for $6, just to see what the last gasp of manual typers was like. Man, is this thing cheap! I have nothing against plastic per se, but ultra-cheap plastic is just not acceptable. One of the tab levers crumbled in my hand.
Since it is a relatively small and flat machine, I’m guessing this was the end of the line for the Skyriter lineage. If so, then it came to a sad, sad end. I can’t imagine this thing lasting for more than a few term papers in the hands of a college student. At least I can get the sticky keys unstuck and let my daughter play with it – that’s about all a machine of this build quality is good for. A toy.
Like I said, I was curious what the last days of the manual machine were like. It made me instantly feel even more grateful for my SM9 and Olivetti 21 (which, by the way, I finally got around to fixing). Those were machines built to last a lifetime – machines meant to crank out thousands of hours of serious typing, typing, typing. I think I’ll go pound out a few pages of my story, now that I think about it. Happy Summer!
July 16, 2009 at 1:43 am
I think typewriters are an interesting case study in the slow fade from craftsmanship to disposable construction. Most all 80’s typewriters are definitely crap.
July 16, 2009 at 2:15 am
I think the shoddiest typewriter I have is a K-Mart 300 DeLuxe. It’s really a Japanese-made Brother. The thing feels like it’s going to fall to pieces if you strike the keys too hard.
July 16, 2009 at 11:32 am
How odd, because it looks so much like my late 60’s Corsair which is substantial for its size, if a little tinny.
I’ve given a “pass” to a few sad K-Mart machines found here and there. I’m not entirely sure what they were used for other than an occasional envelope address.
July 17, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Now you’ve got me curious to find one of those and see the differences with mine. Maybe if I find one at a yard sale…..
July 17, 2009 at 2:36 am
Interestingly enough I jsut got one of those on eBay. I wish now I had only paid $6 for mine, as I can second the feelings of shoddy workmanship.
The part I find really unnerving is the way the keys all easily sway on my model with even the lightest bump.
I wish I’d just spent the money on a Lettera, at least I’d have had a decent machine.
July 24, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Strollometer Computer Speedometer For Your Stroller…
This had to have been one of the last models made by Smith-Corona. We must be talking early 80’ [...]…