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The Qwertyverse

QWERTY Map

This map shows some of the most important sites related to the history of typewriting and the QWERTY keyboard in Milwaukee. Click on the pins or on the links below to show more information about each site. 

Christopher Latham Sholes House, 1042 E. Juneau Ave. (302 Division), 1863–68

Sholes lived here until 1868, shortly after he began working on the typewriter.

C. Kleinsteuber, Machinist and Engraver, at 322 W. State St. (318 State St.)

This is the machine shop where the original inventors did much of their work. 

Matthias Schwalbach's Residence on 10th St (1002 Galena) from 1867

The residence of one of the principal business partners, Matthias Schwalbach. Schwalbach was a German immigrant and a talented machinist, who did much of the work at Kleinsteuber's machine shop. 

Carlos Glidden's Residence at 826 N. Cass St (492 Cass) from 1868-70

One of Sholes's earliest collaborators, Carolos Glidden, lived at this location in 1868, around the time when they were making rapid progress on early prototypes. 

Samuel W. Soule Residence at 135 W. Wells St. (s.w.c. Wells and W. Water St.) from 1862–68

The residence of machinist Samuel Soule, one of the earliest business partners in the typewriter enterprise. 

Elizabeth Andrews's Residence at 947 N. Van Buren St. (543 Van Buren) in 1883

For the first time in 1883, the City Directory listed a woman with the occupation of "Type-Writer." She lived and probably worked from this location. 

C.L. Sholes's Residence at 1679 N. Humboldt Ave. (833 Racine)

Sholes lived at this location from 1882 to his death in 1890. 

C.L. Sholes's Residence at 1508 N. Astor (736 Astor) in 1880

Sholes moved many times after selling his home on today's Juneau St. in 1868, including a period at this location on Astor St. around 1880. 

C.L. Sholes's residence at 539 N. 18th St. (105 18th St.) in 1890

This was Sholes's last residence in Milwaukee, according to the City Directory. He lived here until his death in 1890, during which time he continued to work on other typewriter developments. 

Christopher Latham Sholes Typewriter Co.

Sholes's son Louis created a company to sell his father's last patented design, shortly after his father's death. The company had an office or storefront at this location.