Typewriter Chicago — Local services in Downers Grove

TLDR: Typewriter Chicago is an excellent source for fresh typewriter ribbons, and WOW will they change the typing experience!

As a new typewriter enthusiasts and owners, our household was in desperate need of new ribbons. We made due with the ones our machines came with for a couple weeks while researching where to get new ribbons. Typewriter Chicago came up on YouTube, Reddit, and Facebook Forums. The blue and pink ribbons for Trans Pride caught our attention. We like to support small businesses even if they’re not local to us, so one that aligned with basic human decency made sense. I selected one of those and a plain black.

The question of octo or squid refers to what cool art comes on the tin- it’s NOT a type of ribbon (which I learned after research and watching one of Typewriter Chicago’s fantastic videos - some are typewriter pron!).

A few days later the package was delivered and I put the pink and blue into my partner’s just-acquired Torpedo 18B and WOW it was a totally different typing experience. GET NEW RIBBONS. We’re both re-learning how to type on our machines since a lot less pressure is needed to get clear text. Using the same pressure as we were on the old ribbons actually results in muddied letters and I imagine it’s awful for the platen. I’m totally re-learning how to type on our Underwood manual standard because the fresh black ribbon is such a change from the old one.

Sadly, we have acquired a couple more machines since I placed our order. It’s sad because I don’t have enough fresh ribbons to go around so we can appreciate ALL our machines. I’ll be ordering more soon.

FWIW I did experience an issue with not getting an e-mail with tracking information on the order. A quick e-mail with my order info and concern resulted in a prompt satisfactory response. Quality product AND...

Lucas is a wonderful person who helped me buy a wonderful machine for a fantastic price. I came into the store, a total novice who was excited about the magic of typewriters, and he spent an hour with me explaining to me the different types and showing me a collection so that I could choose the perfect one for me. He is extremely knowledgeable, kind, and generous. Not only that, but the store itself is extremely charming, with books on typewriters and amenities from the past including but not limited to a retro landline and tape recorder. Highlight of the shop is Lucas! He was highly responsive both via email and telephone, repaired my machine right away, and sent me off with the most beautiful 1939 Royal portable typewriter. A charming person with a wide variety of skills, highly recommend anyone come to check out the store if they have typewriter...

With few individuals left to carry on the art form, I’m grateful to have met somebody who is so passionate about this kind of work. After exchanging a few emails and making a personal visit to the Typewriter Chicago shop, I left fully confident that the IBM Correcting Selectric II I chose would be in great shape after the recommended overhaul and in working condition when I returned. Safe to say, my expectations were exceeded! Many thanks to Lucas for his re-haul of this beauty, his willingness to open up his shop early on Saturday and patiently explain all of the idiosyncrasies of this machine were greatly...