In Norwegian the word for typewriter is skrivemaskin, which tranlates as writing machine. I like that word. A computer is called datamaskin (a data machine). There’s a beautiful retro-futuristic ring to those words.
I had to source onionskin paper for the typewriter online, because what do you know the local office supply chain store doesn’t stock this special paper for use in typewriters. Onionskin paper is a very thin and translucent paper, perfect if you want to make carbon copies as you are typing. (One vintage onion skin packaging — from Worldwide Office Papers — announced: “From the very advent of the typewriter there has been a desire for paper that will make a profuse number of copies. […] When specifications, agreements, reports, and the numerous things requiring maximum duplication are required, ‘Smooth Onion Skin’ will be found most suitable.
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It’s also easy, should the need arise, to erase typing mistakes on onionskin paper.
According to one source “paper airplanes made from onionskin paper tend to fly very well due to their low weight and high integrity once folded.” This is, of course, an additional quality worth keeping in mind.
