Here at Philly Typewriter, we believe that typewriters are not just relics from the past, but that they have a place and a purpose in this modern day and age.  

Which is why Bryan Kravitz founded the Philadelphia Public Typewriter Program in the Summer of 2018– we want to weave typewriters into the fabric of the society, and make them more accessible to the community at large.

What is the Philadelphia Public Typewriter Program, you ask?

The typewriter was designed and built during a golden age of manufacturing and industry where pride of workmanship and quality was expected.  People who use typewriters today say that it helps slow down their thought process and provides a connection that is lost in our fast-paced world of today.  But, fully functional typewriters can be hard to come by.

So, Philly Typewriter has committed to placing vintage, rare, fully working typewriters in hundreds of locations in the Philadelphia area.  It will be a way for people of all generations and diverse communities to connect with typewriters and the non-digital, elegant world they represent.  This program is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in a truly unique Philadelphia community event.

There are three main ways to participate in the program

         —    Host a public typewriter                                        
         —    Donate your unwanted typewriters
         —    Take a class and restore a typewriter for the program  

Let's take a closer look at each of these, shall we?

A Public Typewriter Program Typewriter placed in A Novel Idea on Passyunk Ave.

Host a public typewriter

As a host location for a public typewriter you will become known as “that cool place with the typewriter.”  We are actively looking for permanent venues in Philadelphia for public machines and we need your help.  Whether you run a youth writing group or own a coffee shop, we would like to hear your ideas for host locations. We believe that the typewriter has a valuable place in today’s culture as many of us crave a slowing to our routines and rhythms in this age of nano-seconds, short attention spans and planned obsolescence– which is why hosting a typewriter is completely free. Please call or email us to register your proposals for locations.

Bryan with some of the Public Typewriter Program machines all ready to find a home.

Donate your unwanted typewriters

Have a typewriter you  just don't need anymore?  Donate your unwanted typewriters in any condition and we will fix them up and find homes for them as Public Typewriters in Philadelphia. We will keep you up-to-date on the progress of your machine as it goes through the process of being restored and placed into public service.

Three restoration class students holding the newest, finished additions to the program!

Take a class to learn how to restore typewriters while restoring one for the program

Join Bryan Kravitz, founder of Philly Typewriter and 40-year veteran of typewriter repair, as he and his team gently guide you in the art of typewriter maintenance and restoration. You will learn how to properly clean, lubricate and grease a typewriter, how to refinish a platen, how to wind your own ribbon…and much, much more. You will gain the basic skills of typewriter repair and restoration so that you can work on machines of your own if you choose to. At the end of your sessions you will have a completed, working typewriter that will be put into service in the community.  Make sure to sign up for our newsletter for all updates on class schedules and fees!

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Typewriters have an incredibly rich history that we think should be more accessible to the public.  Which is why we've introduced Typewriter Exhibits.

Starting in March of 2022, we here at Philly Typewriter were proud to begin our rotating typewriter exhibits. We plan on exploring fascinating and little known topics of history, not only the impact the typewriter had on the world around us but the people who made the typewriter the mechanical marvel it is. Our exhibit space and showroom are also home to lectures and writing workshops, contact us to find out how you can utilize our space for your next event! 

March 2022's "Women in the Workforce: Trailblazing Type-writers"

Curator Mae River Waldron in front of June 20222's "LGBTypewriter: A Queer History as Retold Through the Typewriter"

Make sure to stop in to check out our exhibit and learn about this moment of typewriter history– no appointment required for exhibit browsing!  Come on in!

Please sign up for our monthly newsletter on the bottom of the home page and stay connected to the Philadelphia Typewriter community and to keep up to date on our exhibits!