Nerds per Minute: A History of Competitive Typing

Typing competitions are a forgotten but surprisingly influential aspect of industrial society. Originally introduced in the 1880s to test the durability of various brands of mechanical typewriters, they became a major institution during the first half of the 20th century. The top typists of that era competed at marquee venues like Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall, toured the nation like rock stars, made prominent appearances on radio and TV shows, were referenced in newspaper comic s...