MingKwai Chinese Typewriter Tour for ATypI Stanford attendees—seats limited

ATypI Stanford full-conference attendees who have already purchased a ticket may now reserve a spot at this special event while seats remain open. There are 15 spots available for this tour.

Next May, type professionals, students, and enthusiasts from around the world will gather in the San Francisco Bay Area for ATypI 2026 Stanford. As part of the conference, a selection of special tours, collections vists, and other optional small-group activities will be curated for ATypI attendees. Seating at these events is extremely limited, with tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. A waitlist will open once all spots are taken.

See the historic MingKwai Chinese typewriter and learn about its history during this special small-group optional event. Limited spots are available—first come, first served!.

The MingKwai (“bright and clear”) Chinese typewriter, invented by famed writer and linguist Lin Yutang in the 1940s, was a singular breakthrough. Not only was it the first Chinese typewriter with a true keyboard—it was a rethinking of writing technology itself. Its 72-key layout did not inscribe characters directly, but guided the user through a multi-step process of visual selection via Lin’s “Magic Eye,” allowing retrieval of any of up to 90,000 Chinese characters.

Long assumed lost to history, the only known prototype of the MingKwai was recently discovered in a New York basement and acquired by Stanford University Libraries. Thanks to the generosity of the Bin Lin and Daisy Liu Family Foundation, it now resides at the Stanford East Asia Library, soon accessible to scholars and the public.

In order to have an opportunity to participate in this special event, follow these steps:

1. First, at atypi.org.
2. Fill out the MingKwai tour registration form here on Eventbrite.
3. Add your ATypI 2026 Stanford full-conference registration order number on the Eventbrite field where requested.
4. Submit your MingKwai event registration form, and receive confirmation that you have reserved a seat.
5. If no spots in this tour are available, add your name on the waiting list to express your interest in taking the tour. People drop out of special events, and more seats may open up closer to the event.
6. Agree to follow the instructions of the tour leader, Stanford Libraries staff, and other campus staff while on school grounds.
7. To get to the tour during ATypI 2026 Stanford: meet your tour group at the designated meeting point per instructions you will receive closer to the time of the event.
8. Have a wonderful time and enjoy the show!

This is a unique opportunity arranged specially for ATypI Stanford attendees. It is a privilege to be able to participate in these tours, and we are grateful to our local team for making the arrangements for this special event. Only 15 spots are available for this exciting tour, so reserve yours today!

To attend this free event available on a first-come, first-served basis to a small group of paid ATypI 2026 Stanford attendees, register here on Eventbrite. For info about ATypI Stanford or other activities, visit the ATypI website or contact us.

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Host or Publisher Association Typographique Internationale (ATypI)