This article reviews the early history of Korean mechanical typewriters, to point out that the market for Korean typewriters could emerge hand in hand with a transformation of writing culture in Korea, from vertical writing mixed with Chinese characters to horizontal writing only in Korean characters (Hangul). Since 1914, early inventors of Korean typewriters realized that Korean typewriters, modified from Roman alphabet typewriters and thus based on the Western writing culture, were not fully compatible with traditional writing system and sought for technical compromises. It was only after the Korean War that inventors could rely on South Korean military as the biggest buyer, which was relatively free from traditional writing culture. The military especially preferred Kong Pyung Woo’s speed-oriented typewriter. Once the foundation was laid for the typewriter market, competing inventors challenged Kong’s dominance by the late-1960s, reflecting diverse demand from consumers.