The First Typewriter: Gift To A Blind Woman

By Carey Wallace

Half-way through writing the first draft of The Blind Contessa’s New Machine, a historical fantasy based on the invention of the world’s first typewriter, I got stuck.

The actual facts of the historical story had practically begged to become a novel: a beautiful Italian noblewoman, gone blind in the flower of her youth. A local inventor, inspired by her beauty to create the world’s first typewriter. The complication that both of them were married to other people. The lush backdrop of early nineteenth century Italy.

But seventy-five pages in, the tensions established, the stage set for the typewriter’s appearance, I had a narrative problem. Why did this story need a typewriter? What events could possibly lead the characters I’d created to invent the new machine, as they actually had? I struggled with the question in the abstract for several days, but it wasn’t until I dove back into the story itself that I found the answer.

It was deceptively simple: Carolina, the contessa, wanted to write a letter to Turri, the inventor. When I had her sit down to do that with the tools she would have had at hand: a pen, ink, sealing wax, and open flame – I knew immediately why Turri would have been inspired to invent his new machine. For a blind person, these simplest elements of communication would have been not only virtually impossible to negotiate, but genuinely dangerous – which is why most early typewriters weren’t conceived of as commercial products, but as writing aids for the blind.

Carey Wallace, author of The Blind Contessa’s New Machine: A Novel (Pamela Dorman Books), was raised in small towns in Michigan. Her work has appeared in Oasis, SPSM&H, Detroit’s MetroTimes and quarrtsiluni, which she guest-edited in 2008. To read more about the author and the book click here.

IMAGE: Young blind girl with an early typewriter

Tagged as: Carey Wallace, historical fiction, The Blind Contessa, Typewriters

Audra

I would love, love, *love* to be entered in the drawing — what a fantastic premise!
Kathy Petersen

I am always intrigued by the fictionalization of actual events, provided care is taken to handle it gently. It appears that Carey Wallace has the appropriate respect for her subject, so sign me up for the drawing!
Melissa Techman

This book sounds wonderful! Amazing to think of typewriter as early ancestor to today’s Braille-n-Speak, etc…
Kitty

Oh gosh, the look of it, what a machine! I learned to type on a manual typewriter and my fingertips still ache when I think about it. But if you are forced to learn on a manual, every other kind of keyboard/typewriter etc is always a breeze to use.
Rachel W.

I love novels like this! Please enter me and thank you for the giveaway!
Cheryl Smith

As a lover of typewriters (I still miss mine at work on occasion.) and as a person with VERY bad eyesite ( I am corrected with lenses at this time but I learned to read Braille and walk and write with my eyes closed when I was nine because I was sure I would be blind before I became an adult.) this book looks like just my cup of tea. Please sign me up for the giveaway.
Carol Wong

This reminds me of Alexander Graham trying to help his wife who was becoming deaf and then inventing the telephone. Love that their is a wonderful love story with it.
Anne

…and this is a problem that would absolutely never have occurred to me.
Sue Grizzell

Wow, I had no idea this is how the typewriter was born. My mother learned Braille in order to teach it to an isolated, young blind neighbor. As a child, the Braille writing devices along with the old Royal typewriter held equal fascination for me. I was often poking away at both trying out my own stories. I’d love to have my name entered in the draw, please.
Shannon

Would love to win this book. Thank you for entering me. =)
http://cleerysalley.blogspot.com/ Donell

I already had your book on my reading list. I would love to win a copy! Thanks!
http://brokenteepee.blogspot.com Patty

What a unique premise for a book. It sounds so interesting. But seriously – ASDF?! What was he thinking?
Please enter me.
Thank you
librarypat

How interesting that the typewriter’s invention is tied to blindness. It makes sense, but you would think that a commercial use would have been the first and primary motivator. With no key standadization at the time as well as the difficulties in learning to use a new device you have never seen, it is amazing that it became successful. sounds like an interesting book. Good luck with the release.
http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/ Michelle @ The True Book Addict

I have been hearing so much about this book. I really want to read it! It is on, and will stay on, my TBR list whether I win or not! Thanks for the giveaway.
http://chewdigestbooks.com Gwen

I have a love affair with the old school typewriter, would love to read about a love affair that created them.
Rene

What did this typewriter look like? Were the keys laid out the same way they are now, or was that a later development? I will have to go look for pictures, now.
Lindsey

Very interesting. I’d love to read this.
Vivian

I just love historical fiction–and this one about the typewriter and a blind writer sounds really interesting!
http://historywithatwist.blogspot.com Vicky Alvear Shecter

What an interesting premise! Also, I love getting this little glimpse into the author’s process.
Serena

This sounds like it would be a very interesting book – and spur me on to do some further research about the earliest typewriters. Please enter me in the drawing.
Carol M

This sounds really good! I’d love to read it! Thank you for the giveaway!
Betsy

Please enter me in the drawing – it sounds like a fabulous book by a great author!
http://jaivirdi.wordpress.com Jai

Historical novels are my favorite type of novels. Oooh, I hope I win!
Sheri

Just today, my 8yo daughter asked – “What is that?” …when pointing to a typewriter in the front office of our synagogue. Wow… I’d love to read this book.
http://www.juliaslibraryresearch.blogspot.com Julia Skinner

I would love to be entered in this drawing: I have been gifted the antique typewriter of my dreams, but alas I don’t feel like I understand enough about the history of the Royal Standard to be able to geek out on my fellow library students as much as I would like!
http://www.madamerkf.blogspot.com wendy wallach

sounds like a great end of summer read!

madamerkf at aol dot com