Like the original Model T, early typewriters came in any color you liked – so long as it was black.
That held true at least through the 1920’s. Then Corona offered its Corona 4 models in a variety of bright, vivacious colors produced by DuPont.
On my work bench (somewhere!) right now is a gorgeous black and gold Corona Model 4 waiting patiently for me to remember how to re-assemble it and in the process install a luxurious new rubber platen, feed rollers, and feet from Steve Dade. It looks a lot like this one:
So bright colors existed, but one will inevitably find many many machines that are well, just a bit drab. Peak drabness may have been discovered in the mid 40’s through the late 50’s. With many notable exceptions, many otherwise lovely typewriters received dull boring paint schemes. In the 1960’s the color wheel turned yet again and a multitude of colors emerged.
So, that leads us to our question? Is it ok to paint a typewriter? Or, would it be like painting a Model T Pink?
I feel pretty strongly that you can paint a typewriter in just about any way that you enjoy.
I’d make the caveat that I would prefer that people not paint or alter a piece of machinery that might be exceedingly rare or historically significant. But, with that caveat aside, run and get your rattle cans!
Now another caveat, caveat paintor, if you will, is that painting is a LOT harder than you may think it is. But that’s another blog post…
As someone who would like to share my interest in typewriters, I often wonder how I can make them stand out — especially to new members of the typing community who may “only” own one or possibly two typewriters.
This has led me to embark on a number of customization projects where I quite literally have painted typewriters pink! What do you think?
