Man Creates Working LEGO Typewriter
LEGO sets have evolved from simple blocks into complex mechanical marvels, evidenced by the 2 079-piece typewriter kit released in 2021. However, one dedicated fan took that kit one step further and made an actual typewriter.
The official model mimicked the movement of a 1950s-era machine, but it lacked one crucial feature: it couldn’t actually put ink to paper. Dissatisfied with this limitation, Netherlands-based LEGO enthusiast and YouTuber Koenkun Bricks spent months engineering a truly functional version.
The resulting contraption works less like a standard typewriter and more like a miniature printing press. The build uses a gravity-fed vertical magazine that stores individual letter tiles. When a user presses a key, a specific tile is released and rolls down an inclined path.
A complex array of internal mechanisms, which are largely powered by high-tension rubber bands, then drives a “hammer” to press the tile onto a rotating board of white LEGO plates that serves as the “paper”.
The project was an immense engineering challenge, requiring, as Koenkun puts it, a “form follows function” approach to information flow and mechanical timing. He used a mix of modern pieces, rare vintage bricks, and custom-calibrated elastic arrays to ensure the carriage moved from left to right with every stroke.
To celebrate his success, he typed a thank-you note to the LEGO team, proving that with enough patience and a creative mindset, even a simple plastic toy can become a sophisticated communication tool.
