this post was submitted on 23 May 2025
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Metadata on typewriters? (lemmy.ca)
submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by spinning_disk_engineer@lemmy.ca to c/privacy@lemmy.ca
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Since laser printers all encode metadata into the printed image, and handwriting is unique to the writer, I was wondering if a typewriter would provide a more anonymous form of paper communication.

I expect it would be possible to determine the model of typewriter, but would it be possible to tell if two samples were made on the very same machine? Are electric typewriters better or worse than manual? (assuming the same operator) What about Selectric or Wheelwriter โ€“ would frequently swapping out the typing element help?

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[โ€“] tkk13909@sopuli.xyz 12 points 6 days ago

Iirc typewriters have fairly unique typing patterns based on slight defects in each key. Some letters end up closer to others in a way that makes it possible to tell two papers were typed on the same machine. I don't know a whole lot about it but that's my two cents.