Christopher Latham Sholes was a printer, newspaper publisher and Wisconsin politician before he helped develop the typewriter that brought QWERTY to the world. He also served briefly as Milwaukee’s postmaster during the Civil War. The available historical accounts do not establish that Abraham Lincoln appointed him to that office, or that Sholes worked on a page-numbering machine while serving as postmaster. The documented story is more revealing: his printing and newspaper work led him to invent a numbering device, and that work opened the way to a collaborative effort to build a machine that could write letters.
Sholes’s printing career came before the typewriter
Born in Mooresburg, Pennsylvania, in 1819, Sholes learned the printer’s trade in Danville. He moved to Wisconsin in 1837 and joined his brothers’ newspaper in Green Bay. He later managed the Wisconsin Enquirer in Madison and, in 1840, established the Southport Telegraph in what is now Kenosha. These years in printing and publishing formed the practical setting for his later mechanical work. The Wisconsin Historical Society’s biography describes his career as a newspaperman, politician and inventor.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
His political and public-service career
Sholes served in the Wisconsin Senate in 1848–49 and 1856–57 and in the state Assembly in 1852–53. The Wisconsin Historical Society also credits him with helping organize Wisconsin’s Free Soil and Republican parties.
During the Civil War, Sholes served briefly as Milwaukee postmaster. The historical biography supports that service, but the sources cited here do not confirm that Lincoln appointed him to the postmaster role. A Wisconsin 101 search result associates Lincoln’s appointment of Sholes with the position of collector of the Port of Milwaukee instead. Because the offices are distinct, it would be inaccurate to state the postmaster appointment as established fact on this evidence.
#1 Best Overall
- Smooth typing: Vintage typewriter comes with precise and sensitive keys, ensuring effortless, jam free operation for fully immersive writing. Its satisfying click sound and retro tactile feel inspire endless creativity, perfect for writers, poets and literary creators.
- Mechanical Charm: Manual typewriter requires no electricity, with a vintage metal casing and precise internal structure. Mechanical typewriter is sturdy and durable for long term use, showing timeless mechanical beauty.
- Ideal Choice: Old-fashioned typewriter is an exquisite retro ornament, infusing your home, office, study or cafe with cozy, timeless nostalgic vibes. As a precious collectible, retro typewriter makes a thoughtful and unique gift for writers, collectors and vintage lovers alike.
- Easy to Use: Portable typewriter is beginner friendly and ready to use right out of the box, letting you indulge in creative writing anywhere inspiration hits. Working typewriter comes with a carrying case for easy portability and travel use.
- Customer Care: Vintage manual typewriter elevates your typing experience, bringing back the serene, slow-paced charm of classic handwriting. If you have any questions about classic typewriter, please feel free to contact us — we will address your concerns promptly.
From a page-numbering device to a writing machine
Sholes developed mechanical devices alongside his newspaper work, including a paging or numbering device dated 1864 and a newspaper addressing machine. The historical accounts do not establish that he invented the numbering device while serving as postmaster, so the two parts of the story should not be conflated.
The shift to printing letters
In 1867, while Sholes was working on a page-numbering device at a Milwaukee machine shop, Carlos Glidden suggested developing a machine that could write letters as well as figures. Sholes and Glidden pursued the idea with machinist Matthias Schwalbach and Samuel Soule. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ landmark account, they had a functioning machine by fall 1867.
Rank #2
- Time-Worn Vintage Appeal & Collectible Value: Each typewriter is a rare mechanical survivor from the last century, showing gentle oxidation, faint scratches and unique historical marks. It is a collectible piece of old mechanical art—ideal for vintage lovers, but not intended for perfectionists who expect a flawless modern finish.
- Hand-Powered Mechanical Precision: No batteries or cables needed. This manual typewriter features upper / lower case shifting, two-color ribbon writing, adjustable line spacing and a convenient backspace function. With a little practice and the instructional videos, every keystroke becomes a tactile and enjoyable writing experience.
- Focused, Nostalgic Writing Experience: Step away from the internet and social media. The familiar click-clack rhythm brings writing back to its essence—collecting thoughts and expressing words sincerely. Notes, letters and creative writing become an elegant, old-fashioned ritual where words and mechanical typewriter meet.
- Warm Retro Decor for Any Space: The creamy finish and elegant metal details create timeless vintage charm. Use it as a nostalgic DIY element, retro photography backdrop or decorative accent for homes, offices, studies, cafes, and shops. Classic old fashioned typewriter adds mechanical beauty and character wherever it is placed.
- Thoughtful Keepsake & 1-Year Support: A wonderful choice for retro typewriter enthusiasts, writers, creative friends and family who appreciate nostalgia. If you encounter any problem during use, please reach out to us for assistance. We provide 24‑hour issue response and a 1‑year return or exchange policy.
Refinement and commercial production
James Densmore helped finance continued development and urged Sholes to test and improve the machine. The ASME account describes nearly seven years of refinements before the design was introduced for mass production in 1874. E. Remington & Sons manufactured the Sholes & Glidden typewriter, which reached the market that year. Smithsonian Magazine describes it as the first commercially successful typewriter. The original model typed capital letters only; later models expanded its capabilities. Smithsonian Magazine’s account of QWERTY’s history recounts the design’s development and reception.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWhy the Sholes & Glidden typewriter had QWERTY
The Sholes & Glidden machine used the arrangement now called QWERTY, named for the letters at the upper left of the keyboard. The explanation is not settled. One common account says Sholes and Densmore arranged letters nonalphabetically to reduce type-bar collisions and jamming. Smithsonian Magazine notes that historians offer another possibility: the layout may have helped telegraph operators avoid transcription errors when interpreting Morse code. The jamming explanation is influential, but it should not be presented as the only confirmed reason for the arrangement.
Rank #3
- Royal Classic portable manual typewriter includes manual
- Sturdy retro metal housing for durability
- Pre-installed black/red ribbon, and paper support bar
- Full size keyboard, 44 keys, 88 symbols and Pica 87 font
- Spacebar repeat key, variable line spacing and ribbon selector
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s collection record for the Sholes & Glidden Type Writer documents the machine itself. The important distinction is that Sholes helped shape the design and its keyboard, but the typewriter emerged from work by several collaborators and a funder—not from one inventor acting alone.
Quick Recap
What the origin story gets right—and what it overstates
- Well supported: Sholes was a printer and newspaper publisher before he became known for typewriter development, and he served in Wisconsin’s legislature.
- Well supported: He served briefly as Milwaukee postmaster during the Civil War, and he worked on a numbering device before turning toward a letter-writing machine.
- Needs qualification: The sources cited here do not verify that Lincoln appointed Sholes as Milwaukee postmaster, or that he worked on the numbering machine while holding that post.
- Not a solo invention: Glidden, Soule and Schwalbach participated in the early machine’s development; Densmore financed and pressed for further refinement; Remington manufactured the commercial model.
- Still debated: The type-bar-jamming explanation for QWERTY’s layout is common, but historians have also proposed a connection to Morse-code transcription.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
