Computers and smartphones may dominate modern communication, but in the United States, the humble typewriter continues to hold its ground. Despite being considered a relic of the past, these sturdy machines are still in use, particularly in businesses where precision, security, and reliability matter.
Every day, customers visit Mike Marr’s shop in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, clutching old typewriters in desperate need of repair. Marr, who has been fixing typewriters for over 20 years, carefully inspects each one—often finding it in a state of disrepair. Grime coats the metal, keys are jammed, and paper refuses to feed properly. But when customers ask, “Can you fix it?” he always gives them hope.
“When they come back and pick it up, just seeing their smile is everything to us,” says Marr. Even in 2025, nearly 150 years after the first commercially successful typewriter was introduced, these machines still have a place in American offices. Marr’s shop services around 20 to 25 typewriters each week, a number he finds staggering. He employs three other people to keep up with demand.
A niche yet loyal market
While computers and smartphones have revolutionised the way we work, typewriters remain essential in certain industries. In small offices, warehouses, and law firms, typewriters are still used for filling out forms, addressing envelopes, and printing cheques. These professionals prefer typewriters for their reliability, ease of use, and the fact that they are immune to cyber threats.
Marr’s business, Marr Office Equipment, was founded in 1953 by his grandfather. In the past, the company was a distributor for IBM, and during its peak, the demand for typewriters was overwhelming. “Trailer trucks would pull up and unload IBM after IBM,” Marr recalls. “We couldn’t keep up with it.”
Although those days are long gone, typewriter users remain committed. One of Marr’s clients, a law firm in Providence, still relies on typewriters daily. John Tomasso, a co-owner of Tomasso & Tomasso, explains: “This is still the best way.” The firm has three typewriters, which they use for typing cheques and legal forms to ensure documents are legible.
Additionally, security is a major factor. Unlike computers, typewriters cannot be hacked. After concerns over electronic surveillance arose in 2013, the Russian Federal Guard Service reverted to typewriters to prevent espionage. Germany also considered similar measures. Even during the Cold War, both Soviet and American intelligence agencies developed ways to intercept typed documents, but overall, typewriters remain significantly more secure than digital devices.
Practicality and affordability
Despite being an old technology, typewriters are practical and cost-effective. Tomasso points out that typewriters with eraser ribbons make it easy to correct mistakes, and ink ribbons cost around $5 (£4)—a fraction of what printer ink cartridges cost.
Further west, Woody Jarvis, a real estate agent in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, also prefers typewriters for office tasks. When preparing an offer of purchase, he drafts it on a computer but makes final adjustments on a typewriter to avoid unnecessary printing. “Our contracts are very legible and easy to understand,” he explains. He also uses his typewriter for addressing envelopes and believes it remains a practical tool.
A resilient legacy
The typewriter’s history dates back to the 19th century. The first widely recognised typewriter, the Sholes and Glidden Type-Writer, was patented in 1868. One of its inventors, Christopher Latham Sholes, also created the Qwerty keyboard layout, which remains the standard on modern computers. By the early 20th century, typewriters were indispensable in offices worldwide.
Even today, typewriters have a dedicated following. In India, they are still used in courts and government offices. Enthusiasts, such as Lisa Floading from Milwaukee, continue to collect and use them. She owns 62 typewriters and prefers them for making lists and writing letters. “There’s something inviting about a typewriter with paper in it,” she says. She even brings one to coffee shops, attracting curious onlookers.
In June, Milwaukee hosted Qwertyfest, an event celebrating typewriters and the Qwerty keyboard. The festival featured a room filled with typewriters, where attendees could sit and type, filling the air with the nostalgic sound of clacking keys.
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An enduring business
Jim Riegert, who runs Typewriters.com in Tucker, Georgia, has witnessed the decline of the typewriter industry over the last 25 years. However, his business remains profitable, selling four or five electric IBM typewriters each week. Clients include prisons—where computers are not permitted—and funeral homes that require typewriters for official documents.
Inside Riegert’s warehouse, dozens of IBM electric typewriters await servicing and resale. Despite being decades old, they are still valuable. A high-quality model can cost $749 (£594), retaining much of its original value from when it was first sold in the 1980s.
IBM, once a major player in the typewriter market, sold its typewriter division to Lexmark in the 1990s. While Lexmark ceased production in 2002, some former distributors continue to maintain IBM Lexmark typewriters. Occasionally, IBM still receives requests for old typewriter manuals and service documents.
The future of typewriters
In a world dominated by digital technology, typewriters persist in specific niches, from legal firms to real estate offices. While their widespread use has diminished, their reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness ensure they will not disappear entirely.
For many, the typewriter is more than just a tool—it is a symbol of craftsmanship and simplicity in an age of digital complexity. Whether for nostalgia, practicality, or security, typewriters remain an enduring presence in workplaces and homes across the United States.
