Up until the 19th century, there were few occupations "allowed" to women, i.e. few professions were considered respectable and "appropriate for" women. A woman who wanted a profession could be a governess or a teacher, perhaps even a nurse. I will come back to women and work in later posts -- here it is enough to say that most of the professions were closed!
The type-writer was first sold commercially in 1870; because the typist was often an "assistant" to an office, to a government department, or to a writer, the post was considered fine for a woman!
Of course, what was not predicted was that the new openings were another step on the road to female independence!
In literature, one memorable typist is Mina Murray (later Mina Harker) from Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897). She is a working woman before she marries protagonist Jonathan Harker; later, her typing skills help Van Helsing and his team keep a track record of Dracula's story and movements and eventually trap and kill him.
In fact, Jonathan and Mina Harker have a relationship which is closer to what we might call a relationship of equality today; they respect each other, know each other well before they marry, and can tell each other everything. Jonathan is, in my view, the best male character in the novel. He is remarkably brave and strong, but he is also emotional, sensitive and devoted!
In popular literature today, a memorable typist is Linda Voss in the novel Shining Through by Susan Isaacs. Though the novel has many faults, it is true that being able to work at a large office opens Linda's horizons and allows her to escape the more conventional lifestyle expected from her.
The profession of the typist has a long history and tradition, and was vital to the fight for women's equality!
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