Smith-Corona Ten-Day Touch Typing Course (1958)

Smith-Corona Ten-Day Touch Typing Course

The Smith-Corona Ten-Day Touch Typing Course, first released in 1958 and popularized throughout the 1960s, was a pioneering multimedia learning system designed to turn the "hunt-and-peck" typist into a proficient touch-operator from the comfort of their own home. Prepared under the supervision of Norman P. Saksvig, a former world champion typist, the course centered on a series of vinyl records (typically five 7-inch 33 1/3 RPM LPs or two 12-inch LPs) that provided a rhythmic, audio-guided experience. Students were instructed to "listen to the voice of your Smith-Corona instructor" as they followed along with a spiral-bound easel-back textbook that could stand upright on a desk for easy viewing. The lessons were broken down into daily segments—starting with the "Home Row" on Day 1 and progressing to the numeral row and shift keys—utilizing a "Sights-Sound-Touch" method that used the cadence of the record to enforce proper typing rhythm and posture. Often bundled as a premium gift with the purchase of a new Galaxie Deluxe or Classic 12 portable typewriter, the course promised that after just ten days of diligent practice, a user could achieve a "perfect" touch-typing foundation, effectively democratizing professional office skills for a generation of students and home hobbyists.

Donated by: Sue Smith