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Metadata on typewriters? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 13 hours ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Since laser printers all encode metadata into the printed image, and handwriting is unique to the writer, I was wondering if a typewriter would provide a more anonymous form of paper communication.

I expect it would be possible to determine the model of typewriter, but would it be possible to tell if two samples were made on the very same machine? Are electric typewriters better or worse than manual? (assuming the same operator) What about Selectric or Wheelwriter – would frequently swapping out the typing element help?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 23 hours ago

Yes, you can tell which specific typewriter was used to type something so long as there is either a slight defect (for lack of a better term) if two letters are closer to/further from each other or a letter is a little higher/lower than it normally is.

PLUS, because different people hit the keys with different amounts of force, each machine wears out at different rates and so the keys wear out at different speeds, so there'll be different wear patterns to the keys.