Summary
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This e-ink typewriter replicates the feel of old-fashioned writing with a Raspberry Pi Zero and Zerowriter.
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It has a 3D-printed case, a USB keyboard with round caps, and an e-ink display that scrolls using a rotary encoder.
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You can get the resources on Gumroad, including CAD files, Pi code, and wiring instructions.
While typewriters have fallen out of general public use, they have a good use in the busy modern world: they are completely free of digital distractions. But how can the typewriter be brought into the 21st century for general use? Well, Myth Made on YouTube has the solution: an e-ink typewriter that’s the perfect blend of old and new.
E-ink typewriter runs on a Raspberry Pi Zero and keeps you distraction-free
It also looks amazing
How he saw it Hackster.ioMyth Made has published a full video showing how he made his e-ink typewriter. While it would be cool for her to take a real antique typewriter and gut it for this project, she opted to 3D print a casing inspired by her designs. The keyboard is USB, with the keys removed and the round ones added to give it that authentic look and feel.
The “paper” is actually a Waveshare ePaper screen, which Myth Made can scroll through by turning a rotary encoder on the side of the typewriter. There’s even a rack and pinion mechanism that moves the e-ink screen up and down, just like a sheet of paper on a real typewriter.
As for word processing, Myth Made used a Raspberry Pi Zero running Zero Writer to do the job. The final cherry on top of this excellent project was a seven-digit word count display that lets you know how much you’ve typed during a session.
If you’re feeling ambitious, Myth Made was kind enough to upload the resources used to make the e-ink typewriter on Gumroad. It includes the CAD files, Raspberry Pi code, a bill of materials, and even wiring instructions. And if you’re still unsure about the usefulness of an e-ink display, we previously discussed how They are the productivity improvement that no one talks about.
