Jewett Typewriter Company
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Many people in the Des Moines area associate the Jewett name with Gilcrest Jewett Lumber, but George Jewett, a founding partner, had many other interests. In 1872, he helped found the Iowa Loan & Trust Co and before that, organized Des Moines Scale Co. He was a founder of Drake University and assisted in organizing the YMCA. But in 1888, an invention grabbed his attention: the typewriter.
The Jewett Typewriter Company sold one of the first commercially successful machines worldwide. According to the Des Moines Register, Jewett visited Europe 10 times to promote his typewriter business and his company received awards at the Chicago World’s Fair and the Paris Exposition. It was reported that the Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany owned one and the Bank of England used it when it switched from longhand.
The company began at 608 Locust but in 1906 moved to a three-story building on 3rd Street next door to Harbach Undertaking. This building was previously the Continental Biscuit Company.
Unfortunately, Jewett Typewriter had some challenges in the early 1900s, as some stockholders out East wanted to move the factory to Cleveland. Jewett Typewriter managed to hold out until about 1910 when it was purchased by Underwood Typewriter Company and fully ceased production in Iowa.
Files
Jewett Typewriter Company
Front facade of the Jewett Typewriter Company, formerly the Continental (National) Biscuit Company at 213 -215 3rd street. Jewett Typewriter relocated here in 1906. | Source: The Midwestern, vol. 2, no. 10, p.10. | Date: 1908
Jewett Typewriter Advertisement
Advertisement with illustration of a Jewett Typewriter. Text: The Jewett / "Best in the World" / It embodies many novel features in / addition to all the essential points / 9illeg.) for other first class Writing / Machines. Art Catalogue free. / Jewett Typewriter Co., Local Office and Factory. / Locust Street. Des Moines, Iowa | Source: R. L. Polk and Co.'s Des Moines City, Valley Junction, and Polk County Directory. | Date: 1901
George Anson Jewett
Portrait of George Anson Jewett | Source: "George Anson Jewett." Des Moines, the Pioneer of Municipal Progress and Reform of the Middle West, Together with the History of Polk County, Iowa, the Largest, Most Populous and Most Prosperous County in the State of Iowa. p. 285. | Date: 1911
Jewett Company Secures Property, article.
Headline of article describing the new location and activities of the Jewett Typewriter Co. Text: Jewett Company Secures Property - Buys National Biscuit Co. Building on Third Street - Will Increase Capacity - Assures Permanent Location in Des Moines of Big Firm - Forestalls Effort by Eastern Minority Stockholders to Take Plant to Eastern City | Source: "Jewett Company Secures Property." The Register and Leader | Date: 19 July 1906