The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author used a Smith Premier model typewriter. Some of those machines are still around, and some are still in use.
More modern manual typewriters featured these models: Courier, Cougar XL, Galaxie Twelve, Golden Shield (1961), Porta-Typer, Pride Line Zephyr Deluxe (1971), Sears Citation, Sears Tutor, Secretarial 300 (1973), Sterling (1963), Super G (1970) designed by Ghia, Zephyr II (1972).Ĭollectors seek ephemera such as advertising cards, brochures, catalogs, countertop displays, instruction manuals, letterheads, magazine and newspaper advertisements, pennants, and photographs.In the more than 100 years between the widespread introduction of the typewriter and the rise of the word processor, a great many masterpieces have been produced on the handy office machines. Smith Corona electric typewriter models were 215 Office Electric, Citation Power Correct XT, Coronamatic 2200 with cartridge, Coronamatic 2500, Coronamatic C800, Coronet Automatic 12, Coronet Super 12 Coronamatic, Deville Cartridge, Electric (1959), Electric (1957), Electra 12, Electra 220, Intrepid Ball Style, J C Penny Caravelle, J C Penny Penncreat Concord 12, Montgomery Ward Cartridge AC VI, Severity, Sterling Automatic 12, Super Correct, Super Correct XT, and Vantage Ball-Type. Smith Corona made the Sears Tower, Tower Presidential (1957), and Tower Commander (1959) models. The Corona Silent (1946), Clipper (1947), Super Speed (1948), Enterprise (1949), Silent (1949), Sterling (1949) were 1940s models.ġ950s models include the Smith Corona Clipper (1954), Office Typewriter (1955), Silent Super (1956), Eighty-Eight Secretarial (1957) Pacemaker (1958), Secretarial (1958), Galaxie (1959), which was available in a variety of body colors, and Skyriter (1959). The Corona 4 was continued with the 1926 model. The Corona Groton factory was closed in 1983 and torn down a year later. After filing for bankruptcy twice, Smith-Corona emerged as a thermal paper manufacturing company in 2010. It is now the largest thermal label manufacturer making its own adhesive. 1989 witnessed the introduction of Smith Corona's first word processor.Īs the 20th century drew to a close, Smith Corona focused on labels. They used sound waves to replace hundreds of mechanical parts.
The Typetronic II and Ultrasound office, and portable typewriters appeared in 1982. In 1973, the Coronamatic cartridge, a self-contained ribbon cartridge that could be exchanged without touching any part of the ribbon, was introduced. In the 1970s and 1980s, Smith Corona improved its electronic typewriters, typewriter cartridges, ribbons, and word processors. Smith-Corona became Smith Corona Marchants in 1958. Smith Corona continued to pursue innovations in communications during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1957, Smith Corona marketed the first portable electric typewriter. The company also continued to produce typewriters. The merger helped Smith Corona remain profitable during the Depression.ĭuring World War II, Smith Corona produced ammunition, bomb fuses, M1903-A3 bolt-action rifles, and M-209 Hagelin-style portable cipher machines. Smith’s office typewriters and Corona’s portable machines made the new firm an industry leader. Smith & Brother Typewriting Company merged. In 1926, the Corona Typewriting Company and the L.