About Us
Maintaining Office Equipment
Computers, Copiers, Printers, Fax, Typewriters too!
C.R.Smith Typewriter and Adding Machine Service opened their doors on February 1st 1953 in Glendale, California. It was a family endeavor. Mom Dad and me plus a couple technicians. I was around 8 at the time.
We specialized in reconditioning typewriters and adding machines for sale and providing repair and maintenance contracts to many businesses in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
The Western Distributor for Olympia Typewriters opened up right around the corner and
we became one of the first Olympia typewriter dealers in the LA area.
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There was a problem however.
When my dad visited our clients offices and offered an Olympia typewriter for a trial, everybody declined.
It's the 1950"s in America and Olympia typewriters were made in Germany.
So.... what to do?
One day my dad gathered us all together and said to the technicians "on your next call, don't repair
their typewriter in their office." Recommend that it needs to come into the shop for repair.
Offer them an Olympia as a loaner, bring their machine in, put it on the shelf and lets see what happens."
Well, the phones started ringing "How much is this typewriter?"
And we're off to a great start.​
My Story
I began working in the shop around the age of 12. I learned how to disassemble typewriters and adding machines, run them through the chemical tanks, replace all the rubber parts and reassemble them.
Eventually I also began visiting our clients for pick up and delivery as well.
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In April of 1966 I received a letter from the President of the United States
requesting my presence at the recruiting office in LA.
Next stop Fort Ord and basic training. I was told I tested the best in
Radio Communications. I'm thinking Oh, Oh!
When asked what I did in civilian life, I said I was a typewriter mechanic.
Low and behold I skipped Advanced Individual Training and went straight to work at the Fort Ord Typewriter Shop. A few months later I was assigned to the 78th Light Equipment Maintenance Company in Germany.
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After my 2 year stint in the Army I decided I wasn't going back
to the family business. I went down to the LA office of IBM and got a job.
We spent 3 months learning how to disassemble, adjust and reassemble
8 different models of IBM typewriters. (1 full month on the IBM Selectric)
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I was assigned to the IBM Branch in Westchester. After a few months helping to run calls in a
Westwood / Brentwood territory I got my own territory at UCLA.
I had 720 IBM Typewriters to maintain in the central area of the campus.
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When my dad started having health issues I returned to help with the family business.
My dad passed in 1971 and I became responsible for keeping the shop and the outside
service calls running smoothly. My mom passed away in 1975 and I decided to diversify.
I changed the company name to Smith Office Systems.
First came Copiers, Electric typewriters became Electronic typewriters and calculators,
then Fax Machines came along, and Word Processors,
In 1981 the IBM Personal Computer became available, Got to do that!.
Computers led to Daisy wheel Printers, Laser Printers
Inkjet Printers... On and On
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We kept pace up until 2003 when we decided it was time to take life a little easier.
We moved to Oakhurst CA. to be near our beloved Bass Lake​.
We now enjoy a much slower life repairing and maintaining computers and printers
here in Madera & Mariposa Counties.
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