Historical information

The folding Corona typewriter was the first portable manual typewriter. Due to this pioneering, innovative design, the popularity of Corona typewriters soared in the 1910s leading to the Corona Typewriter Company in the USA developing new and improved machines to meet a growing demand. Consequently, businesses moved away from all forms of written communication such as handwritten documents and letters, to a more convenient method of speedy, legible communication.

Agatha Christie Used a Corona Standard Typewriter when travelling.

Significance

History of typewriters

Physical description

Black metal enamelled frame. Cylindrical rubber-covered platen 220 mm wide. Typebars strike forward against platen from curved horizontal type-basket. Ink ribbon carried between two spools on vertical axes. Three-row QWERTY keyboard with 28 circular character keys with black lettering on a light background. 'FIG' and 'CAP' keys (light lettering on a black background) to left of keyboard. 'BACKSPACE' key above and behind keyboard to right of type-basket. Long black spacebar in front of keyboard. Carriage, with platen and ribbon spools, folds forward over keyboard pivoting on axis at front of type-basket.

Inscriptions & markings

Front:
Corona / (Standard Folding Typewriter)
3 Manufactured by Standard Typewriter Company Groton N.Y USA 3
Back:
Patented / Mar 8 1904 / Feb 8 1910 / Other Patents/ Pending / Also Patented in / Other Countries