It takes a dedicated staff to run the nations largest typewriter repair shop.
With diverse backgrounds as unique as the machines they restore,
Philly Typewriters team of mechanics are here to not only service your typewriter, but be of service to our community.
Meet the Mechanics behind the tools at Philly Typewriter.
Bryan Kravitz – Founder & IBM Selectric MechanicBryan is originally from South Philly, hailing from the family who founded Lenny's Hot Dogs, selling hot dogs off of pushcarts around 4th and South Streets until its city-wide expansion in 1956. In 1967, he moved to San Francisco, working at a printing plant's direct mail bindery. Always mechanically inclined, he was adjusting the bindery equipment, when a customer noticed and brought him a brochure from a near-by trade school that offered IBM Selectric training classes– the rest is history. After creating a successful Selectric repair business in Berkley, CA, Bryan went on to have several other adventures before returning to Philly and starting Philly Typewriter as a window display down at 4th and Bainbridge 7 years ago. In addition to loving typewriters, he also loves his wife, Debi!
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Bill Rhoda – Co-Owner & Lead MechanicBill has worn many different hats, having been a professional saxophonist, touring musician, college professor, and working in instrument repair before finding himself in the world of typewriter repair and expertise. The story goes like this: he found his mom’s typewriter in her basement, and it didn’t have a ribbon in it. Bill then called Philly Typewriter intending to ask if he could buy a ribbon from them, but instead asked Bryan if he needed help. He has been with Philly Typewriter for more than 5 years, moving from apprentice to Lead Mechanic and Business Manager. Bills favorite machines to work on are the mid century Smith-Coronas and Olympias.
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Howard Green – Sr. Detail Specialist & Journeyman MechanicIn 2019, Howard retired from the Orlando VAMC as the Chief of Podiatry after 30 years of federal service. Howard first noticed an ad in the window back at our former location, and then spent a few mornings observing, asking questions, and helping out before being offered a position at Philly Typewriter as an apprentice detailer. For approximately 3 years, Howard has worked his way up to Senior Detail Specialist. Since summer 2020, Howard works mainly from home, where you can find him on his rooftop, a tray of components, polish, wax and rags at his side. His machines gleam after spending time in his skilled hands. Howard loves being part of the team at Philly Typewriter!
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Ryan Anderson – Mechanic Supervisor & Master MechanicRyan comes from a background of carpentry and design, ranging from building houses to making furniture to sculpture fabrication. He’s been renovating buildings and doing design and fabrication work in Philadelphia for the past 15 years. Ryan grew up using and loving typewriters, but didn’t get fully immersed in this world until early in 2020 when his friend sent a picture of a “help wanted” sign in the Philly Typewriter window. Ryan loves working with challenging and meticulous things. He fell in love with trying to understand typewriters– the puzzle solving aspect. Over 2 years, Ryan has taken on the role of Mechanic Supervisor, now imparting his knowledge on the new apprentices in the shop and performing full restorations on his own.
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Leon Chinea – IBM Selectric Apprentice & Wheelwriter MechanicLeon’s start in fixing cars and bikes in high school, he earned a degree in Film Production at Rowan before returning to the repair industry. Since April 2022, Leon has joined the team of mechanics at Philly Typewriter. Starting with insulation cutting and body cleaning, a patient mind and an eye for detail has gotten Leon to learning to break down Selectrics and perform deep internal cleaning. Now learning to replace the high mortality components within like the drive belt and main hub. Leon is looking forward to getting involved in the complete tuning of the machine, and getting each Selectric to run like new.
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Rose Merritt Ulloa – IBM Selectric Apprentice & Distribution CoordinatorRose is originally from Central Florida and her primary career background is in education and children with disabilities and neurodivergencies. She has an appetite for learning new skills wherever she finds herself, especially the uncommon types. Rose is currently writing a novel as well as a self proclaimed “massive trekkie.” The first time Rose notes being interested in typewriters was when she caught a glimpse of one in a storefront in her hometown. She responded to a job posting at Philly Typewriter knowing almost nothing about them and has quickly developed a deep appreciation. Rose came aboard in April of 2022, and has been learning everything possible about IBM Selectrics, specializing in lots of cleaning and refurbishing.
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Leon’s start in fixing cars and bikes in high school, he earned a degree in Film Production at Rowan before returning to the repair industry. Since April 2022, Leon has joined the team of mechanics at Philly Typewriter. Starting with insulation cutting and body cleaning, a patient mind and an eye for detail has gotten Leon to learning to break down Selectrics and perform deep internal cleaning. Now learning to replace the high mortality components within like the drive belt and main hub. Leon is looking forward to getting involved in the complete tuning of the machine, and getting each Selectric to run like new.
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Support Staff
Raiddy found her first typewriter in a thrift store as a teenager and has carried it with her since then, from Philadelphia to upstate New York where she completed dual degrees in Computer Science and English Literature at St. Lawrence University. After moving back to Philly to pursue a career in software, Raiddy found our store in 2023 and once again carried in her typewriter with questions on what it would need to bring it back to a better condition. After completing our Philadelphia Public Typewriter Program Repair Course, Raiddy continued to work on the weekends, specializing in detail work. |