I typed my Ph.D. Thesis on a typewriter. I couldn’t use any white out! I can’t even guess how many pages ended up on the floor because of minor typos. I had to hire a medical illustrator for the images and I used press on letters and lines to create graphs which I later had to photograph and develop in my dark room. I often think back that I was one stage above a rock tablet and chisel.
lol… You’ll be sorry you asked :-). Strangely enough, though I had to use an antiquated typewriter, the study involved state of the art proprietary chronic brain implants (quasi today’s Neurolink) that allowed monkeys to interact real time with a PDP-11 computer.
Prefrontal Steady Potential Shifts and Facilitated Learning of Delayed Response in Monkeys.
Sandrew BB, Stamm JS, Rosen SC. Steady potential shifts and facilitated learning of delayed response in monkeys. Exp Neurol. 1977 Apr;55(1):43-55. doi: 10.1016/0014-4886(77)90156-x. PMID: 403085.
Abstract
Monkeys with implanted nonpolarizable cortical and eye electrodes were trained on a delayed response task, in which the presentation of each trial was contingent upon on-line computer detection of specified events for each of three groups: SP-surface-negative steady potential (SP) shifts from left prefrontal cortex; LEM-eye movements to the right of approximately 40°; and YC-controls tested with intertrial intervals yoked to those generated by experimental monkeys under the on-line condition. The mean number of sessions and total errors to 90% correct performance, through successively longer delays, indicated significantly faster learning and greater transfer of performance levels by SP monkeys compared to the other two groups (P =
0.018). During on-line testing on 12-s delayed response trials containing brief cues of 100, 200, and 500 ms, only the SP monkeys were capable of maintaining near-criterion performance. Electrocorticograms, recorded during on-line training, show no systematic relation of steady potential shifts with eye movements but indicate hemispheric asymmetry of prefrontal cortical processes related to attention. The results provide evidence that steady potential shifts, used as independent variables in the present situation, reflect increased neural excitability of prefrontal cortex mediating higher attentive states.
I too learned on such a machine. My mother, who was the Connecticut state typing champion sometime a long time ago, thought I should learn to type. Who would have thunk that would be such an important tool for my career which wound up being software development. A note on my mother. She had a bit of an attitude, and the instructor of her typing class told her she couldn't type with long fingernails. She refused to cut them and then entered that competition and won. She also taught me typewriter art and I loved all the emojis when they first came out as typed characters and hate the fact that I can't type : - ) (I put in the spaces) without it deciding I want some cartoon character.
Many of us who grew up writing first by hand and then with a typewriter still feel nostalgic about the feel and sound of writing with a typewriter.
I've owned three typewriters over the years. The first a portable that I used in high school, and whilestationed in Germany, and finally while completing college. My second typewriter was a German portable that I used until I replaced it with an Apple II-C computer. The third was a classic Underwood that I found at an antique shop and bought for sentimental reasons.
I still miss the feel of typewriter keys and the comforting clack they make while typing.
I have an old, gray, cast iron Underwood in the cellar that I've lugged around from place to place for the last 45+ years. It would need tuning up if I were to ever use it again. (I have no idea if there are still people who could do that.) It was once used as a prop in a play around 1978 or '79.
Loved this post. Thanks for sharing. Love that you still have your typewriter. Degrees of separation... funny how strangers cross paths. I have been to MKR's home in Cross Creek (I used to live in Gainesville) a likewise marveled at her typewriter. Also, my dad's family all live in Ilion, NY.
As a teenager, I used a Remington portable typewriter, black, it had a cover. It was my father’s. I wish I still had it (but where would I put it?). I love this column. I’m glad you are reunited with your old typewriter. You can probably get ribbons for it on eBay.
My first manuscript, which was never published, was typed out on a typewriter. I still remember Sr. Theresa, admonishing us not to look at our fingers. This post brought back some memories.
What was that ms about? Did she wack your fingers with a ruler? (I am joking.) Learning to type without looking is a fantastic skill I treasure. I feel like I am channelling my writing.
It was a YA story. Bits and pieces are used in my books. Sr. Theresa was an older grandmotherly type. Gentle and encouraging. Never the ruler ... at least not on me.
This is a very sweet piece. I was moved by the fact that your parents supported your interest in writing by getting you the typewriter. That says a lot about the kind of people they were. Lucky you, to have them as parents. And they were lucky too—I'm sure they were proud of you!
I typed my Ph.D. Thesis on a typewriter. I couldn’t use any white out! I can’t even guess how many pages ended up on the floor because of minor typos. I had to hire a medical illustrator for the images and I used press on letters and lines to create graphs which I later had to photograph and develop in my dark room. I often think back that I was one stage above a rock tablet and chisel.
Yikes! And I thought I had it bad…
lol… You’ll be sorry you asked :-). Strangely enough, though I had to use an antiquated typewriter, the study involved state of the art proprietary chronic brain implants (quasi today’s Neurolink) that allowed monkeys to interact real time with a PDP-11 computer.
Prefrontal Steady Potential Shifts and Facilitated Learning of Delayed Response in Monkeys.
Sandrew BB, Stamm JS, Rosen SC. Steady potential shifts and facilitated learning of delayed response in monkeys. Exp Neurol. 1977 Apr;55(1):43-55. doi: 10.1016/0014-4886(77)90156-x. PMID: 403085.
Abstract
Monkeys with implanted nonpolarizable cortical and eye electrodes were trained on a delayed response task, in which the presentation of each trial was contingent upon on-line computer detection of specified events for each of three groups: SP-surface-negative steady potential (SP) shifts from left prefrontal cortex; LEM-eye movements to the right of approximately 40°; and YC-controls tested with intertrial intervals yoked to those generated by experimental monkeys under the on-line condition. The mean number of sessions and total errors to 90% correct performance, through successively longer delays, indicated significantly faster learning and greater transfer of performance levels by SP monkeys compared to the other two groups (P =
0.018). During on-line testing on 12-s delayed response trials containing brief cues of 100, 200, and 500 ms, only the SP monkeys were capable of maintaining near-criterion performance. Electrocorticograms, recorded during on-line training, show no systematic relation of steady potential shifts with eye movements but indicate hemispheric asymmetry of prefrontal cortical processes related to attention. The results provide evidence that steady potential shifts, used as independent variables in the present situation, reflect increased neural excitability of prefrontal cortex mediating higher attentive states.
Eee-gad! What a brain you must have to decipher that. And I am not sorry I asked.
Wow. I'm impressed. How many pages is your dissertation? What is it about?
I too learned on such a machine. My mother, who was the Connecticut state typing champion sometime a long time ago, thought I should learn to type. Who would have thunk that would be such an important tool for my career which wound up being software development. A note on my mother. She had a bit of an attitude, and the instructor of her typing class told her she couldn't type with long fingernails. She refused to cut them and then entered that competition and won. She also taught me typewriter art and I loved all the emojis when they first came out as typed characters and hate the fact that I can't type : - ) (I put in the spaces) without it deciding I want some cartoon character.
Your mother sounds like a great character! I hope you write about her!
Many of us who grew up writing first by hand and then with a typewriter still feel nostalgic about the feel and sound of writing with a typewriter.
I've owned three typewriters over the years. The first a portable that I used in high school, and whilestationed in Germany, and finally while completing college. My second typewriter was a German portable that I used until I replaced it with an Apple II-C computer. The third was a classic Underwood that I found at an antique shop and bought for sentimental reasons.
I still miss the feel of typewriter keys and the comforting clack they make while typing.
Yes, clackety clack indeed! Plus your fingers get great exercise pushing those keys.
I have an old, gray, cast iron Underwood in the cellar that I've lugged around from place to place for the last 45+ years. It would need tuning up if I were to ever use it again. (I have no idea if there are still people who could do that.) It was once used as a prop in a play around 1978 or '79.
Ah, the things we still lug around!
Loved this post. Thanks for sharing. Love that you still have your typewriter. Degrees of separation... funny how strangers cross paths. I have been to MKR's home in Cross Creek (I used to live in Gainesville) a likewise marveled at her typewriter. Also, my dad's family all live in Ilion, NY.
Interesting connections for certain. I loved how the state put back all of Rawlings' possessions exactly as she left them or so the story goes.
As a teenager, I used a Remington portable typewriter, black, it had a cover. It was my father’s. I wish I still had it (but where would I put it?). I love this column. I’m glad you are reunited with your old typewriter. You can probably get ribbons for it on eBay.
Thanks Chris! Ah, the things we keep and giveaway.
My first manuscript, which was never published, was typed out on a typewriter. I still remember Sr. Theresa, admonishing us not to look at our fingers. This post brought back some memories.
What was that ms about? Did she wack your fingers with a ruler? (I am joking.) Learning to type without looking is a fantastic skill I treasure. I feel like I am channelling my writing.
It was a YA story. Bits and pieces are used in my books. Sr. Theresa was an older grandmotherly type. Gentle and encouraging. Never the ruler ... at least not on me.
I am glad you had a good experience with her.
I learned to type on a Monotype - now, that is a different machine.
I had to look up that machine. Yes, it is.
Amiguis, what a treasure! Yes, it deserves a place of honor indeed.
Such sweet memories! The sound of the keys is hard to forget. I had a Smith Corona too, and loved it.
Gracias. Yes, sweet memories indeed.
Loved this piece. I can really get all the "feels" of what a writing instrument can mean. How cool you got it back.
Strangely, when I was in High Scool, typing class wasn't even available to "college prep" kids. Little did they know...
My typing class in high school gave me life-long tools unlike many of my other classes.
This is a very sweet piece. I was moved by the fact that your parents supported your interest in writing by getting you the typewriter. That says a lot about the kind of people they were. Lucky you, to have them as parents. And they were lucky too—I'm sure they were proud of you!
My parents weren't big into praise. But I knew they were proud of my accomplishments.
Great piece on that most cherished of things for a writer!