According to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Christopher Sholes invented and patented the first practical typewriter—a machine that could be used to stamp letters onto paper in order to create documents back in the day. By the early 1900s, this invention has made its way to the Philippines during the American colonial period, as specialized craftsmen flocked to Manila to keep them functional when needed.
With the progression of technology, typewriters lost their practicality as more advanced ways of typing were developed, making typewriter craftsmen limited in number these days. One man, however, chose to keep the tradition alive.
Gerald Dela Cruz owns a typewriter repair and refurbishment shop in Quiapo, aiming to restore and maintain the machine for people who still value the product as a typing tool. Dela Cruz had little interest in typewriters during his youth, but upon getting a job at a repair shop after high school, he began to learn how to repair various items, including typewriters.
After nearly two decades working at the shop, Dela Cruz started his own typewriter repair service in 2011, attracting clientele that appreciate the unique sensibilities of typewriters. What started out as a niche interest became a way for Dela Cruz to earn a living and raise his family, and now he’s passing the knowledge on to apprentices like his younger cousin.
As newer and newer technologies continue to emerge, our steadfast interests can help preserve even the most niche of hobbies for future generations. In this case, Dela Cruz saw his calling to keep typewriting alive by accepting clients for refurbishing projects at 1665 Commandante Street, Quiapo, Manila.
For more information, you may visit Gerald’s Typewriter Shop page.