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Back to the Keys: Xenia Library Events Celebrate the Enduring Legacy of the Typewriter

In Books, Business, Children and Family, Dayton Ohio News, Education, history, Technology, Uncategorized on May 26, 2026 at 11:00 am

The Greene County Public Library and GLD Communications are teaming up to celebrate National Typewriter Day with two public events later this month at the Xenia Community Library, combining history, writing, and hands-on experiences centered around one of the most influential communication tools ever created.

The first event, “Typewriters in the 21st Century,” will take place Tuesday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. The presentation will be led by award-winning journalist, author, and typewriter enthusiast Gery Deer of Jamestown-based GLD Communications. According to event organizers, the program will explore the continuing relevance of typewriters in a modern digital world and examine their role in shaping communication, journalism, business, and creative writing.

A second event, a public “Type-In,” is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., giving participants the opportunity to bring their own typewriters or try a variety of machines supplied by collectors and enthusiasts. Organizers say the event is designed to create a relaxed, social atmosphere where visitors can experience writing in a slower, more tactile way while learning about the machines and the culture surrounding them.

Melissa Fasanella, Head Librarian at the Xenia Community Library, believes the “analog lifestyle” has really made a comeback in 2026. “This year our Library started a puzzle exchange, by customer request, that’s been popular for those who want to take a puzzle home or to give new opportunities to others to assemble puzzles they have already put together at home and want to give to us for reuse,” she said.

SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE

“We’ve also seen several items that we loan out such as pickleball kits, telescopes, birdwatching kits, etc. circulate well this year so far as individuals and families are rediscovering more ‘unplugged’ hobbies.”

Deer added that the programs are intended to be about more than nostalgia. “With these events, we’re celebrating, not the machine so much, as what it represented and its relevance in the 21st Century,” he said. “The typewriter provided women with an opportunity to join the professional office workplace; it enabled the mass production of important legal documents and correspondence, and much more.”

“The typewriter was the forerunner of most of our modern communication equipment,” Deer said. “We still use the same QWERTY keyboard invented for the first typewriters on virtually every communications device.” He added that many people are rediscovering typewriters as a way to slow down and reconnect with focused creativity.

“And for the writer and general public alike, they’re getting a chance to disconnect and unplug from the digital noise that invades every part of our lives,” Deer said. Also participating in the type-in event will be TB Writers Plus, the only typewriter sales and service company in the region, run by Trevor Brumfield and Becca Brumfield. The business will have some typewriters on hand for attendees to try out, along with information on how to buy one.

National Typewriter Day is observed annually to recognize the invention and cultural impact of the typewriter, a technology widely credited with revolutionizing business communication, journalism, publishing, and office work throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries. While largely replaced by computers decades ago, typewriters have experienced a resurgence among writers, artists, students, and collectors who appreciate their mechanical simplicity and distraction-free writing experience.

The June 23 presentation is free and open to the public, though registration is encouraged through the library’s online event calendar. Organizers said the June 27 Type-In will also be open to the public and welcoming to both longtime enthusiasts and people who have never used a typewriter before.

Typewriters in the 21st Century Free Registration: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69cac953491b809c6f23e6e0

National Typewriter Day Celebration Type-In Free Registration: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69cfa70366c3387a9d05ae9b

Additional information and registration details are available through the Greene County Public Library website, www.greenelibrary.info, and the library’s online events calendar.

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Xenia Community Library presents, Typewriters in the 21st Century with Gery Deer

In Local News, Technology, Uncategorized on May 5, 2026 at 6:56 pm

In celebration of National Typewriter Day, June 23rd, join writer and typewriter enthusiast Gery Deer as he explores the typewriter’s resurgence and modern-day relevance.

Join writer and typewriter enthusiast Gery Deer at 6:30 PM at the Xenia Community Library for “Typewriters in the 21st Century,
an engaging one-hour program exploring the surprising resurgence and modern-day relevance of the typewriter. Drawing on his experience as a working writer and collector, Deer will share insights into why people are returning to analog tools in a digital world, how typewriters can enhance productivity and creativity, and what makes them uniquely appealing in the 21st century.

In an age dominated by touchscreens and artificial intelligence, the typewriter remains an enduring symbol of creativity, focus, and craftsmanship. But beyond nostalgia, these mechanical marvels continue to serve a meaningful role for writers, collectors, and professionals today.

Some of Gery Deer’s vintage typewriter collection – the newest is a 1964 Royal Safari (bottom right, blue). Deer uses the machines in his everyday work as a writer and creative director to help reduce digital fatigue and distractions.

Attendees will learn about the history and evolution of typewriters, their practical uses today, and the growing community of enthusiasts who keep these machines alive. The program also includes a discussion on collecting, maintaining, and using vintage typewriters, along with personal stories from Deer’s own journey.

Whether you’re a writer, history buff, collector, or simply curious about life beyond the keyboard, this program offers a thoughtful and inspiring look at how archaic technology continues to shape modern expression.

About The Presenter: Gery Deer is an award-winning journalist, producer, and the creative director of GLD Communications, where he leads strategic storytelling and media production for a wide range of clients. With decades of experience in print, digital, and broadcast media, Deer has built a reputation for compelling, thoughtful content that connects with audiences across platforms.

He is a current columnist and contributor for multiple regional publications, including the Xenia Daily Gazette, where his work often explores culture, community, and the human experience. Deer also serves as the editor and publisher of The Jamestown Comet, an independent online news and commentary publication focused on local issues, features, and informed perspectives.

Deer is a passionate typewriter enthusiast and collector, bringing a unique blend of historical appreciation and modern insight to his presentations. His engaging style and depth of knowledge make him a sought-after speaker on writing, media, and the enduring relevance of analog tools in a digital age.

Full information and free registration online: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69cac953491b809c6f23e6e0

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The Carriage Returns

In Business, Local News, News Media, Opinion, Technology on April 20, 2024 at 1:22 pm

Deer In Headlines II
By Gery Deer

You may not believe it, but I’m writing this week’s edition of “Deer In Headlines” on an antique manual typewriter. Remember the typewriter? The truth is, I just bought this machine a few days ago at TB Writers Plus, a startup typewriter shop in Dayton, Ohio.

(Check out the Bonus Video and the Deer In Headlines Podcast episode that accompanies this piece!)

I have three manuals, but this is a sleek 1945 Smith-Corona Clipper, matte black, with a textured chassis and gold-lettered, enameled keys. It sounds like I’m describing a classic car, doesn’t it? That’s exactly how some people see it.

Your next question is obvious, and I’ve heard it a dozen times already – why? I’m a technically savvy person with a significant digital presence. So why would I sit down to write on an old typewriter? That’s a great question. I’ll try to answer as we go. Let me first say I’m not alone.

Over the last twenty years or so, interest in typewriters has been on the rise. That sharp, rhythmic clickety-clack has charmed a whole new generation of writers, collectors, and nostalgics. It’s commonly known that actor, author, and director Tom Hanks is a long-time typewriter collector. Whole communities of typewriter enthusiasts share photos and samples from their beloved machines online and in person.

Many attend type-ins, where people gather at typewriter shops, homes, libraries, or anywhere else to, well, type. I often refer to them as cruise-ins for typewriter enthusiasts. There’s even an activity called type-casting, where you create something on a typewriter, scan it as an image, and post it online. (Learn more about the so-called “Typewriter Insurgency” here.)

As a Gen Xer who hit high school during the 1980s, modern office tech was still coming of age. We barely had reliable copy machines. Most schools and businesses had a mix of PCs and typewriters (mostly electric), so I learned both almost simultaneously. I’m comfortable with either.

*In the background, Gery’s 1964 Royal Safari.* (Photo by Hue12 Studios, Dayton, OH)

I bought my first manual typewriter while I was in college, mostly for its portability. A good bit of my earliest writing was done on that machine. It was—or rather is—a 1964 Royal Safari, light blue with off-white keys and accents. It still sounds like I’m describing a ‘57 Chevy. And yes, I still have it.

Aside from nostalgia and mechanical admiration, I think digital overstimulation may have contributed to some people’s leaving the computer behind. I can relate. I’m so immersed in the continuous urgency of the digital environment that I just want—no, need—the quiet of the old ways.

I know the typewriter can be noisy, but I wasn’t referring to “quiet” in that sense. When those keys snap against the paper, I am fully engaged and undistracted from my writing. The slower pace allows me to choose my words more carefully, and there are no pop-ups, email messages, or social media nonsense. It’s kind of freeing.

I’ve also heard some people turn to the typewriter out of paranoia. Privacy has become a real concern in the digital world, and viruses can’t infiltrate typewriters, nor can your printed pages be hacked. You’re most definitely off-grid. But there’s a price to pay for that: time.

You will probably still have to transfer whatever you type into a digital file. Since my column is delivered to the publisher electronically, what you’re reading now was scanned and cleaned up in digital form before being emailed to my editor. All told, it probably added an extra two hours to my process. Plus, I can’t type as fast on a manual as I can on a laptop – yet. That said, I highly recommend hand-strengthening exercises.

There is also something to be said for durability and workmanship. These machines were built to last. This old Clipper, made at the end of World War II, was clearly well-cared for and properly serviced by its last seller. It still works beautifully. How many laptops make it even five years, let alone 80? None.

Unfortunately, however, unless some manufacturer starts cranking out new parts or whole typewriters, once the remaining machines are used up, they’re gone. That really will be the end of an era. No backspace, no return. Just silence.

Until then, you’ll find this reporter parked behind my Safari or the old Clipper, banging out the next great works by Yours Truly.

(See the gallery for photos of the typewriters mentioned in this piece and more.)