Introducing LEGO 21327 Ideas Typewriter, with all its working mechanical functions

Be prepared to be absolutely wowed by the LEGO 21327 Ideas Typewriter – a stunning brick-built typewriter that looks exactly like a vintage typewriter. Oh and the best part, the keys, typebar and platten roller all work too – just like a real typewriter (minus the ink!)

This 2,079-piece set was based on the designs of Steve Guinness, and has a release date of 16 June 2021 for LEGO VIP Early Access, ahead of a 1 July general release. It will retail for US$199.99 / AU$329.99 and will be available from LEGO.com, and LEGO Brand Stores.

The LEGO Typewriter’s dimensions are 27cm wide, 26cm long, and 12cm high.

See below for regional pricing and links:

• LEGO 21327 Typewriter [US] – US$199.99
• LEGO 21327 Typewriter [AUS] – AU$329.99
• LEGO 21327 Typewriter [UK] – £179.99
• LEGO 21327 Typewriter [EU] – €199.99
• LEGO 21327 Typewriter [CAN] – CA$269.99

If you’re planning to buy the LEGO Ideas Typewriter on 16 June or 1 July, please consider using these affiliate links above as they help support the website! It’s a tiny thing you can do that goes a long way in helping. Thank you!

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This is an absolutely sublime looking set, and LEGO Fan Media got a sneak peek at the recent virtual LEGO Fan Media Days where we got to speak to designers James May, Wesley Talbott and Samuel Johnson, the LEGO Ideas Design Manager – who showed us all the inner workings of the LEGO Ideas Typewriter.

First of all – the good news – all those keys? They’re all printed elements. Big huge tick!

The design and scale of the set are absolutely unreal, and its remarkable how much it looks like an actual typewriter.

But the most incredible feature of the build is how LEGO managed to mimic the mechanical functions of a typewriter – allowing a tactile feeling of typing on a classic typewriter.

The features a center typebar that rises each time a letter key is pressed, linked to the carriage which moves across as you type, as well as a platen roller that real paper can be fed into.

Check out this promotional video to see the typewriter in action.

In a fitting nod to the lost art of letter writing, the premium quality LEGO Typewriter set also comes with a letter written and signed by Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, chairman of the LEGO Group and a fourth-generation member of the family which still privately owns the business to this day.

The original concept for the typewriter came through LEGO fan Steve Guinness’ submission to the LEGO Ideas platform, a LEGO initiative that takes new ideas that have been imagined and voted for by fans and turns them into reality.  

Over the next few days I'll be recapping the story of how I designed and made my LEGO Typewriter idea, that's soon to be released as an official LEGOideas set. An amazing journey, spanning four years, proving that dreams can come true 🤩 #LEGO #LEGOideas #typewriter #legofan pic.twitter.com/AQ19ZOoTqK

— @thebrickconsultant (@sprguinness) June 8, 2021

Discussing his idea, Steve said: “I wanted to create something totally different from anything that LEGO has ever done before and showcase that you really can make anything out of LEGO. I bought a vintage typewriter for my research and then played around with bricks and the mechanism until I was happy with the design.  I hope it will bring nostalgia to adult fans like me, and wonder and curiosity to younger fans who might not have ever seen a real typewriter!”

While the concept of the typewriter dates back to the early 18^th Century, Steve’s design, and the LEGO design team’s development of it, captures the styling cues of the modern 20^th century typewriters, which still have a cult following today.

In a fitting nod to the lost art of letter writing, the premium quality LEGO Typewriter set also comes with a letter written and signed by Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, chairman of the LEGO Group and a fourth-generation member of the family which still privately owns the business to this day.

There will be 43 different translated variants of this letter, to ensure that most countries and people groups are represented.

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See the red ink ribbon? That’s a new textile LEGO element and adds a nice bright “pop” to the sand green typewriter.

As a display piece, it’s actually unreal how good it looks, and how seamlessly it’ll blend on your desk, study or bookshelf and is one of the most accurate renditions of real-life LEGO objects yet thanks to its believable size.

Enjoy more photos below of the LEGO Ideas Typewriter.

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It goes without saying that I think this is one of the most aesthetically-pleasing sets and models ever released by LEGO, and I am deeply in love with all the sand-green used. Add the mechanical functions, and LEGO have another hit on their hands.

What do you think of the LEGO Ideas Typewriter? Will you be picking this up and adding it to your collection?

The LEGO Ideas Typewriter has a will be released to LEGO VIPs on 16 June 2021, retailing for US$199.99 / AU$329.99 and will be available from LEGO.com, and LEGO Brand Stores.