Modern word processors are so prevalent that most authors don't know what they would do without them. Imagine meticulously planning out your story, literally cutting and pasting bits of paper as you rearrange the written work, and then having to retype the revised version. This is exactly what Len Deighton experienced during the era of typewriters.
That is until 1968, he became the first author to own a word processor. The MTST (Magnetic Tape Selectric Typewriter) was able to store written pages on tapes and allowed the user to reprint pages and pause the printing to add different text.
Though clunky and barely recognizable compared to modern word processors, the MTST was a huge upgrade from a typewriter. Even Deighton was doubtful at first, and he admitted that as he watched the machine being installed through his window, he began to think that he had "chosen a rather unusual way to write books."
Unusual or not, he published Bomber, the world's first book written via word processor, and set a milestone for the writing world. It's amazing how far we've come since the MTST, and I love exploring older versions of technology.
To learn more about Len Deighton, his novel Bomber, and how the MTST worked, check out this amazing article that covers everything you might want to know!
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