Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Payne.
Todd, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I founded Lazy Dog Typewriters after beginning a nostalgic quest to find the Olympia typewriter with which I had completed my college applications. Of course, my dad had given it away or sold it for a dollar at a garage sale, so I began to search for it. So, my joyful odyssey began – learning about the wide variety and interesting history of typewriters and inspired by just how powerful – and relevant – a tool for creative writing they still are today. I bought my first typewriter at a special creative writing event called a “Type-In” held at the Denton Public Library in January of 2019. It was hosted by a wonderfully creative group focused on letter writing – The North Texas Letter Writers and co-sponsored by Austin Typewriter, Ink – a magnificent gaggle of artists, writers, scientists, and just plain great folks. I was hooked.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with any small business, there have been unexpected challenges, but I have been fortunate every step of the way to have professionals who have been there to help. My attorney, Brian Anderson, in McKinney, helped me take advantage of a state program for veteran owned businesses, which has been wonderful.
The greatest challenge has been mastering the fine art of typewriter repair! Thankfully, there are many wonderful resources online – most notably the Austin Typewriter, Ink group on Facebook. With the help of these experts, I’ve learned quite a bit about the mysterious internal operations of typewriters: what’s a draw band and how to attach it; which way does a mainspring wind; how can you repair or fabricate feed rollers or rejuvenate a tired old platen and much more. Even more helpful has been the generosity with which so many individuals, collectors, repairmen, and enthusiasts have shared their expertise.
Lazy Dog Typewriters – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. It’s where we all begin. Quite literally, in our case! This short sentence is typed to test a typewriter and ensure that every letter key in the alphabet is working. It’s where we start every repair, and where we end when we have finished our detailed service.
Lazy Dog Typewriters is a typewriter shop founded by lovers of the written word who want you to fall in love with typewriters as a tool for creative writing, as we have. We seek out and acquire wonderful typewriters of all sorts – from the early 1920’s to “modern” electrics from the 1970’s, but specialize in that sweet spot of mid century modern machines. We carefully clean, inspect and adjust every machine so that it is fully operational and equipped with a brand new ribbon. Our vintage but fully serviced machines are ready to ready to write. Lazy Dog Typewriters help people disconnect from the distractions of the modern world where digital devices, ever present spell check, and distractions actually serve to sap energy from the writer rather than empower him or her.
We have also recently begun creating custom typewriters with bright paint schemes to really stand out. And, while our main focus is on our own machines, we do perform tune-ups for customers machines as well.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
One of the things I am most proud of with Lazy Dog Typewriters has been connecting the generations. Many times at our events, you will see an older grandmother or grandfather sitting down with young children, normally their own grand kids, but sometimes not, and teaching them how to use the machines. The adults have a sense of joy, nostalgia, and purpose as they teach the younger generation how to use these machines of mechanical grace.
It makes a tangible impression on everyone when a young child, like my six year old daughter Katie looks up in excitement when staring at the paper in the typewriter and shouts out, “Look, Daddy, I wrote a word!”
Young and old authors share that enthusiasm as well and I am proud to help them escape from the distractions of the digital world and focus solely on their creativity. It’s amazing how much more productive they can be – and just how many famous authors still write exclusively with a typewriter.
Pricing:
- Cleaned, adjusted and inspected typewriters are available from $125 – $300.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lazydogtypewriters.com
- Email: lazydogtypewriters@gmail.com
- Instagram: lazydogtypewriters
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LazyDogTypewriters/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LazyDogTypewriters
Image Credit:
Todd Payne
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