Smith-Corona has a very long history that goes back to 1886. The history features two 2 distinct companies – the Corona Typewriter Company and the L.C. Smith & Bros Corporation – which merged to form the Smith-Corona Manufacturing Company.
In this section, we will take a deeper look at the evolution of the Smith-Corona typewriters, from the earliest dual-case mechanical typewriters to the personal word processors.
Before making typewriters, the Smith brothers were in the business of manufacturing firearms. However, after noticing similarities between manufacturing techniques and mechanical processes in the firearms factory and those in the relatively new typewriter industry, Alexander T. Brown, an employee of the Smith brothers, approached the company leadership with his design of a mechanical typewriter.
DESCRIPTION
This is a Corona Three folding typewriter that was manufactured by Corona Typewriter Company of Groton, New York around 1920. The Corona Three was an extremely popular typewriter, produced from 1912 until 1941. This model has serial number 394384, dating it to 1920. This typewriter’s platen and carriage can fold down to rest on the keyboard, allowing it to become compact and portable.
The success of the Standard Typewriter Company’s Corona Three model typewriter prompted the company to change its name to the Corona Typewriting Company in 1914. In 1926 the company joined with the L. C. Smith & Brothers Typewriting company in to become Smith-Corona. Smith-Corona manufactured typewriters and typewriter accessories throughout the 20th century, becoming Smith Corona Marchant in 1958. After two bankruptcies, Smith Corona returned to operation in 2010 as a thermal paper manufacturing company.
Material | Iron |
Modified Item | No |
Vintage | Yes |
Brand | Smith & Corona |
Secondary Material | Brass |
Country/Region of Manufacture | United States |
Year | 1920 |
Type | Typewriter |