(CNN) - In today's highly computerized world, it's easy to forget about life before keypads and touch screens, when typewriters were considered high-tech, but one Houston typewriter repairman who is still very much in demand.
It is the way people communicated until the computer age, machines powered by typist hands. The words they printed ran businesses, governments, even composed love letters. Typewriters may have gone the way of all outdated technology, but they're still very much around on Dowling Street. "The crack right here, cracked all the way through," says Edward Smith.
For the past 45 years, Edward Smith has repaired typewriters from vintage to electric. "I guess I could say each and every typewriter that comes in this door, there is a different story and they tend to tell me the story of the typewriter even when it's been setting up."
So much of Smitty's work awaiting repair comes from people who've rediscovered the typewriters that have been gathering dust in attics. "The first thing they ask Smitty says is 'What is that?, Where did you get that little thing? and does it work?'"
It does after he expertly dis-assembles and repairs what is broken. Mr Smith has always had a knack for machines and one even saved his life. 7 years ago he collapsed in front of his shop, a heart attack, a good friend helped save him. "Whoever he touches, you're not going to leave here mad."
Smitty survived. A defibrillator implant is there to shock him should his heart stop again. He's now on his second implanted machine in his chest, but he never feels compelled to work on that. "No but they gave me the old one."
