Build a "Not A Typewriter" with I2C Solenoid Driver and Adafruit Feather RP2040 running CircuitPython code. This device is designed to give your modern computer keyboard the essence of a vintage typewriter.

The 3D printed case is designed to look like a classic typewriter and features a real service bell. It has two mini solenoids, one to emulate the loud clack of the typebars, and the other to triumphantly announce the ding of the carriage return.

Inspiration

This project was inspired by Tetora Tech Lab's Fake Type Writer project we saw posted on x.com. Their project is open source and available on GitHub.

Bring Your Own Keyboard

You can plug a USB keyboard into the USB host Feather and plug the Feather into your computer. The Feather hosts the keyboard and sends its keystrokes to your computer. And of course, the solenoids trigger depending on the keys that are pressed.

Computer Accessory

But what if you're on a laptop, writing the next great American novel in the spirit of Jack Kerouac or pushing the boundaries of gonzo journalism like Hunter S. Thompson? You can run a CPython script on your computer that sends your keystrokes to the Feather over serial. The Feather runs CircuitPython code that listens for the incoming keystrokes and triggers the solenoids.