Underwood model 1 electric typewriter, c. 1950

Underwood model 1 electric typewriter, c. 1950

Introduced in 1947, the Underwood Model 1 electric typewriter (not to be confused with the original Underwood Model 1 released in 1896) was the first of many electric typewriters introduced shortly after the Second World War. Underwood typewriter production had largely paused for the period of US entry in the Second World War.

The Underwood family, a successful manufacturer of ribbons and carbon paper, entry into the world of typewriters began with supplying ribbons to the Remington Typewriter Company. When Remington began producing their own ribbons, Underwood bought the patent and manufacturing rights of German-American inventor Franz Wagner and his “Wagner” typewriter and Wagner designed the Underwood Model One typewriter, the first of many typewriters sold by Underwood Typewriters. By the early 1900s, Underwood had emerged as the premier typewriter design, most recognized today and most imitated at the time.