This ingenious vintage accessory: did you really know what it was used for? | April 9, 2025

Have you ever seen those little erasers with a built-in brush and wondered what they were for? Step back in time to a time when correcting a mistake required patience and attention to detail.
Typewriter erasers: an ingenious solution

Correcting a typing error may have seemed like a complex task in the past. Imagine writing a letter or report on a typewriter, only to discover a mistake: did you have to retype everything? Not necessarily! Typewriter erasers were indispensable. Made of rubber mixed with abrasive particles, they allowed you to erase a letter or word directly from the paper without damaging it.

The brush: a practical but essential detail

But what was this built-in brush for? Once the mistake was erased, eraser residue inevitably remained on the paper. The small, soft, and precise brush cleaned away this debris, ensuring a clean result without creasing the document. This eraser-brush duo was a real asset for ensuring neat and professional work.

A time when every mistake had a cost

During the heyday of carbon paper, a typing error often meant correcting multiple copies simultaneously. Retyping an entire page was a tedious task, especially in demanding work environments. Typewriter erasers, with their built-in brushes, were a valuable time-saver, facilitating on-the-spot corrections and reducing the stress of tight deadlines.

Decline in the face of the digital revolution