Milwaukee is well known for its long history of beer brewing and heavyweight motorcycle manufacturing but what isn’t such common knowledge is that a Milwaukeean designed the so-called QWERTY typewriter keyboard, which remains in widespread existence today on computers and mobile phones.
Christopher Latham Sholes, who was an editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel and also served in the Wisconsin Legislature, created the modern typewriter keyboard, which he patented in 1873. The QWERTY name comes from the order of the first six keys on the top left letter row of the keyboard.
To bring more attention to the invention, a weekend-long celebration dubbed QWERTYFEST will be held June 23-25 in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the keyboard patent.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
The event isn’t just for writers and typewriter collectors but to show that the typewriter is “just as Milwaukee” as beer and motorcycles, according to event organizers. QWERTYFEST will feature parties, live music, a tour, presentations, workshops, shopping, brunch, open mic events and more. Some events are free, while others are ticketed.
“We have big plans for the future of QWERTYFEST, and this is the first year,” said Milwaukee-based author and freelance journalist Tea Krulos, who is a co-organizer of the event.
The idea for QWERTYFEST first came to Krulos as he walked along Fourth Street and noticed the historic marker dedicated to Sholes.
“Sholes invented the typewriter prototype that was the first one to resemble what would become the standard and part of that invention was the QWERTY keyboard that we still use today,” Krulos said. “I had seen this marker before, but that day I wondered why that Milwaukee invention is not more well-known or celebrated here and I began to visualize an event.”
Krulos, a contributing writer at Milwaukee Magazine, and Molly Snyder, a senior writer at OnMilwaukee, then teamed up to begin organizing QWERTYFEST.
“Together we began to plan an event that is not just for typewriter enthusiasts but a showcase of local history and contemporary talent,” Krulos said.
A first step in promoting QWERTYFEST was a letter-writing session, during which 18 local poets, novelists, journalists and teachers gathered in May and sent out about 50 typewritten letters with information on the festival.
“The room was filled with the sound of typewriters clacking and it was a fun and unique way to promote the event and the only cost was a box of envelopes and a couple books of stamps,” Krulos said.
Here’s the QWERTYFEST schedule:
Friday, June 23
National Typewriter Day QWERTYFEST Party
5 P.M. TO 10 P.M. | DANDY, 5020 W. VLIET ST.
An evening filled with typewriter fun and music, featuring a live performance from esteemed cello-and-drum-duo Nineteen Thirteen; a clackathon performance hosted by Anja Notanja Sieger; a raffle (win gift baskets or a typewriter), cash bar, and select vendors. Typewriter stations will be set up so that attendees can try different typewriters and create their own short writing. Admission is $25 (also included as part of the ALL CAPS Pass).
Saturday, June 24 – QWERTY MKE Day
“Typewriter 101” Workshop With Instructor Lisa Floading
11A.M. | THE BINDERY, 347 E. WARD ST.
Interested in manual typewriters but don’t know where to start? Come across a machine and wondered if it is usable or repairable? Learn how these machines can still have a valuable place in our lives today. Workshop ticket is $15.
“Poetry in Motion: Creative (Type) Writing” Workshop With Instructor Kay Kro
NOON | THE BINDERY
Experience textual healing with the power of typewriters. Break free of your writer’s block and find your unique voice at this workshop designed to help you unplug and tune in. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just getting started, this workshop is the chance to hone your skills, find your style, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals. Workshop ticket is $20.
The QWERTY Journey Tour
NOON AND 2 P.M. | FOREST HOME CEMETERY
Do you know that Milwaukee in the 1860s and 1870s was a Silicon Valley of sorts for the development of the typewriter and other writing machines? Take a QWERTYFEST tour to learn about the enduring legacy of Milwaukee inventors and purveyors of the written word. Tour starts at the Halls of History building. Tickets are $15. (The 2 p.m. tour is included with the ALL CAPS Pass).
QWERTYFEST Market
1-6 P.M. | FOREST HOME CEMETERY’S HISTORIC CHAPEL
Shop a market featuring local artists, booksellers, and antique dealers. DJs will also be spinning on an antique Victrola and there will be a display of typewriters from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design’s Brooks Stevens Product Design Collection, as well as presentations on typewriter history and art. Free admission.
TypeTalks
4-5:30 P.M. | FOREST HOME CEMETERY’S HISTORIC CHAPEL
- 4 p.m.: “150 Years of the QWERTY Keyboard,” with Jason Puskar, professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- 4:30pm: “Women’s Complicated History with the Typewriter is not Black-and-White,” with Molly Snyder, Senior Writer, OnMilwaukee
- 5p.m.: “Clack Bait: Drawing Stories and Exceptional Encounters,” with Christopher T. Wood, Pfister Hotel artist-in-residence, 2022-2023.
QWERTYFEST After Party and Open Mic Featuring Kavon Cortez Jones
FROM 6 P.M. TO 9 P.M. | THE PRESSROOM, 3105 W. FOREST HOME AVE.
A casual meetup in a Milwaukee tavern that’s owned by a retired newspaper printing press operator. Open mic at 7 p.m. All poets, storytellers, comedians, truthtellers, musicians and magicians are welcome. Cash bar. Free admission.
Sunday, June 25
Typewriter Brunch Open Jam
11 A.M.-1 P.M. | COMPANY BREWING, 735 E. CENTER ST.
Open to anyone who wants to bring their typewriter. Special performance by musician Johanna Rose. Free admission.
