Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary2026 · Date · History · Messages
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History records that the Sholes, Glidden & Soule typewriter patent model was awarded U.S. Patent No. 79,265 on 23 June 1868.
About Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary
June 23 is commonly used for National Typewriter Day and is anchored here to the June 23, 1868 U.S. patent issued to Christopher Latham Sholes, Carlos Glidden and Samuel W. Soule for an early type-writing machine.
The Smithsonian describes their patent model as an important step toward a commercially viable typewriter, not as proof that these inventors created the first writing machine of every kind.
Why Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary matters
The anniversary is a useful prompt to explore writing technology, keyboard history, mechanical design and the transition from handwritten to machine-produced text.
Historical claims should distinguish the Sholes–Glidden–Soule patent from earlier writing-machine experiments and from later commercial designs.
History of Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary
The Smithsonian preserves the Sholes, Glidden and Soule typewriter patent model associated with U.S. Patent No. 79,265, dated June 23, 1868.
Their work became part of the development path toward commercially successful typewriters. The reviewed institutional source does not establish a creator, first edition or steward for a modern National Typewriter Day campaign.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
8 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
National Typewriter Day, Typewriter Day
How to Observe Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary
Try typing a short letter on a mechanical typewriter if you have safe access to one.
Visit a museum collection or digital archive to compare early writing machines.
Explore how the QWERTY keyboard and commercial typewriter design developed over time.
Preserve old machines responsibly rather than forcing seized or fragile mechanisms.
Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary Facts
U.S. Patent No. 79,265 was issued on June 23, 1868.
The patent names Christopher Latham Sholes, Carlos Glidden and Samuel W. Soule.
The Smithsonian holds the associated patent model.
The model represents an important step toward commercially viable typewriting.
The reviewed institutional evidence does not establish who created the modern National Typewriter Day observance.
Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary Messages
Celebrate June 23 by appreciating the mechanical ingenuity and writing history behind the typewriter.
Happy Typewriter Day—an invitation to explore how writing machines changed offices, publishing and personal correspondence.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Smithsonian Institution — Sholes, Glidden, & Soule Typewriter Patent Model (opens in a new tab)
Museum Patent Record
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary?
23 June The documented recurrence rule is: 23 June.
Does Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Technology-history anniversary / U.S. typewriter patent. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary?
The documented basis is: The Smithsonian National Museum of American History records that the Sholes, Glidden & Soule typewriter patent model was awarded U.S. Patent No. 79,265 on 23 June 1868.. Supporting evidence includes Smithsonian Institution — Sholes, Glidden, & Soule Typewriter Patent Model. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent anniversary international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Technology-history anniversary / U.S. typewriter patent. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-09.
Why is National Typewriter Day associated with June 23?
June 23 is the anniversary of the 1868 Sholes–Glidden–Soule typewriter patent documented by the Smithsonian.
Did Sholes invent the first typewriter ever?
The Smithsonian describes this patent model as a step toward a commercially viable typewriter; earlier writing-machine attempts existed.
Who else is named on the 1868 patent?
Carlos Glidden and Samuel W. Soule are named with Christopher Latham Sholes.
Who created National Typewriter Day?
The reviewed institutional source does not establish a modern observance creator or first edition.
Other observances on June 23
These observances are also listed on June 23, 2027.
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