What was the first novel ever written on a typewriter?
Twain wrote in his 1904 autobiography that his first novel written on a typewriter—the first typewritten novel at all—was Tom Sawyer. Twain purchased his first typewriter (which probably looked like the Remington Sholes and Glidden above) in 1874 for $125. In 1875, he writes in a letter to the Remington company that he is no longer using his typewriter; it corrupts his morals because it makes him want to swear. He gives the infernal machine away, twice. It returns to him each time.
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What are your thoughts on this subject?
37 Comments
Jennifer Dyster
great story. I had no idea and went for Gatsby! Entertaining question
Shirley Campbell
Enjoyed the answer. It made me laugh. He fought with his type writer like I do my computer. They can be infuriating.
John W Shreve
Jennifer Dyster, Same here. I thought of the time gap.
Player
Twain liked new technology.
rosemarymee
Shirley Campbell, He was a wonderful writer especially his travel writing. Whenever I despair of America, I think of Mark Twain and James Thurber...
Keith Hodgson
there is some contention on this - it may well have been different - Tom Sawyer was published from handwritten manuscript, not typed. Then, seven years later, Life on the Mississippi comes to the publisher in typescript, still Twain but it is quite important to get it right.
Conrado De Leon
Of course the typewriter was a Remington. The gun factory mastered the technique needed to "shoot" the different letters. Actually, there are now more typewriters than rifles and Remingtons will always be better than Olivettis LOL
Denise Lang
Why do some people state the answer like they are giving you new information? We already know the answer.
André
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Wyla Reedy
I remember when there was a trade called Typewriter Repair. Faded away.
Lydia Wood
Nice anecdote!
Vicky Rosenberg
how did the typewriter return to him twice?
james parrillo
I knew that Mark Twain was the person who wrote the first book on a typewriter. I was glad to see only one of his books listed, so then there was no doubt which to choose. Otherwise, I would have more than one option. Thank you, Christine, James's wife
Gail Nemetz
Jennifer Dyster, Me three.
Puppermom
Great trivia!
Teresa
I can imagine how daunting it would have been for Tom Sawyer as typing is a skill and skill requires much practice. To immediately begin using a typewriter while composing works of art in literacy
would be frustrating. Much easier to write the words in ink.
Chris Braid
Standard pub quiz question, even though there is some dispute over the answer!