Typewriter Anatomy

Naming a Part

Labeled Diagrams

Click to see a larger image. Even if one of these is not the exact model of your typewriter, the part will be called the same.

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  Smith-Corona Silent-Super

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  Remington Noiseless Portable

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  Royal Quiet De Lux

Don't see your part above? Typewriter Manuals often feature labeled typewriter anatomies. You can find manuals for some common brands and models (and a few rare ones) on Richard Polt's Site.

Plain English

• Part that holds down the paper when you’re writing: Paper Bail

• The ruler by where the paper goes in: Paper scale

• The thing that holds the ribbon and rises when you hit a key: ribbon vibrator or ribbon shaker.

• Big silver lever, usually on the left side: Carriage Return Lever.

Usage/Meanings

• Carriage Return Lever - Used for moving to the next line and returning the carriage to the beginning of the line

• Carriage Release - Used for moving the carriage around

• Paper Release - Releases the paper feed rollers, allows you to move paper around freely so you can align it

• Platen Variable - Allows you to freely turn the paper using the platen knobs, without the ratchet snapping it to the next line

• Paper Injector - Allows you to feed in paper by placing the paper in the carriage and activating a lever or dial.