The legacy of Underwood typewriters

Before computers, typewriters ruled the business world. Underwood was among the most influential brands, revolutionizing office work and written communication. 

Image source: By Peter Mitterhofer - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

The early days of typewriters

The 19th century saw the birth of typewriters, with various designs emerging. The Sholes and Glidden Type Writer introduced the QWERTY keyboard in 1873.

Image source: By Unknown author - Smith, Clarence Charles (1922). The Expert Typist. New York: The Macmillan Company, p. 4Melville, Arthur (1923). "The Machine Gun of Commerce" The Rotarian (Rotary In

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

The birth of Underwood

John Thomas Underwood founded the Underwood Typewriter Company in the 1890s after initially supplying ribbons and carbon paper to Remington. 

Image source: George Iles, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

The game-changer – Underwood No. 5

Launched in 1900, the Underwood No. 5 was the world’s first modern typewriter, selling over 2 million units. 

Image source: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

The innovation behind Underwood

Key innovations included front-strike typing, improved shift keys, and a more durable build, setting the standard for future typewriters. 

Image source: By Iles, George - Iles, George (1912). Leading American Inventors. H. Holt and company., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

Underwood’s global expansion

By the early 1900s, Underwood expanded into Europe, setting up manufacturing units in England and Germany.

Image source: By Harris & Ewing - Library of Congress: Information Direct, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

The Great Depression and challenges

The 1930s brought financial struggles. While Underwood survived, competitors and new technologies loomed. 

Image source: Photo by 20111110-OC-AMW-0035, licensed under CC BY-ND, via flickr.com

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

The rise of electric typewriters

IBM introduced electric typewriters, leaving manual typewriters like Underwood struggling to keep up.

Image source: By steve lodefink - https://www.flickr.com/photos/lodefink/4317923430/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

The Olivetti takeover

In 1959, Italian typewriter giant Olivetti acquired Underwood, marking the beginning of the end for the brand. 

Image source: By Folletto at Italian Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

The end of Underwood

By 1963, Underwood ceased to exist as an independent brand. The once-thriving company had faded into history. 

Image source: pixabay

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

The legacy of Underwood typewriters

Today, Underwood typewriters are collectors' items, cherished for their historical value and craftsmanship. 

Image source: pexels

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

The lessons from Underwood’s fall

Underwood's downfall teaches a lesson in innovation—complacency can lead even the strongest companies to obsolescence. 

Image source: Cornellanense (talk) 07:14, 29 October 2008 (UTC), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tap the speaker to enable sound!

Thank you for reading!

We appreciate your time and interest.
To explore more, check out the full article using the links below:

Read full article

Image source: self, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons