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 "hunt-and-peck" typists into proficient operators from the comfort of home. Prepared under the supervision of a former world champion typist, the course centered on a series of vinyl records that provided a rhythmic, audio-guided experience for the student. Users were instructed to follow the voice of their spoken-word instructor as they practiced along with a spiral-bound textbook that stood 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 numbers and shift keys—utilizing a method that used the steady cadence of the record to enforce proper typing rhythm and posture. Often bundled as a premium gift with the purchase of a new portable typewriter, the course democratized professional office skills for a generation of students and hobbyists.

Donated by: Sue Smith