You, too, can build this e-ink typewriter that runs off a Raspberry Pi Zero
Summary
- This e-ink typewriter replicates the vintage typing feel with a Raspberry Pi Zero and Zerowriter.
- It has a 3D-printed shell, a USB keyboard with round caps, and an e-ink display that scrolls via a rotary encoder.
- You can grab the assets on Gumroad, including CAD files, Pi code, and wiring instructions.
While typewriters have moved on from general public use, they do have one good use in a busy modern-day world: they’re totally free of digital distractions. But how do you bring the typewriter into the 21st century for general use? Well, Myth Made on YouTube has the solution: an e-ink typewriter that’s the perfect blend of old and new.
The e-ink typewriter runs off a Raspberry Pi Zero and keeps you free of distractions
It also looks amazing
As spotted by Hackster.io, Myth Made has published a full video showing off how she made her e-ink typewriter. While it would be really cool for her to take an actual vintage typewriter and gut it for this project, she opted to instead 3D print a shell inspired by their designs. The keyboard is a USB one, with the keys removed and round ones added to give that authentic look and feel.
The “paper” is actually a Waveshare ePaper display, which Myth Made can actually scroll through by turning a rotary encoder on the side of the typewriter. There’s even a rack-and-pinion mechanism that moves the e-ink display up and down, much like a piece of paper in a real typewriter.
As for the word processing, Myth Made used a Raspberry Pi Zero running Zerowriter to get the job done. The final cherry on top of this excellent project was a seven-digit word count display that lets her know how much she has typed during a session.
If you’re feeling ambitious, Myth Made was kind enough to upload the assets used to make the e-ink typewriter on Gumroad. It includes the CAD files, the code for the Raspberry Pi, a bill of materials, and even wiring instructions. And if you’re still on the fence about the usefulness of an e-ink screen, we’ve previously discussed how they’re the productivity upgrade nobody is talking about.
