That increasingly loud clacking sound you hear throughout the city isn’t your imagination—it’s just the impending return of QWERTYFEST MKE, a homegrown celebration of a homegrown Milwaukee invention. That’s right! Working in Milwaukee in 1873, Christopher Latham Sholes invented the modern QWERTY keyboard layout we still use today. The modern keyboard was invented in Milwaukee! How about that!
QWERTYFEST MKE was founded in 2023 by Milwaukee writers Molly Snyder (OnMilwaukee) and Tea Krulos (author, Milwaukee Record contributor). For the 2025 installment, set for October 3-5, the duo promises such nerdy delights as a “Typewriter Ball” at Turner Hall Ballroom (complete with music from the Boston Typewriter Orchestra and Milwaukee’s own Nineteen Thirteen), a workshop discussion with Bob Marshall (the typewriter repair engineer for typewriter enthusiast Tom Hanks), more workshops and events at the Central Library, a cemetery tour, a party at the Newsroom Pub, and much more.
“We’ve grown a lot in just three years, and I’m really thrilled for people to check out this year’s line-up,” Krulos says. “I think it’s a fantastic mix of programming that’s informative and interesting while still being a fun time. From presentations to talented vendors to just plain fun activities, we got a good mix of it all.”
Hunt and peck your way to the QWERTYFEST MKE website for the full, expansive, and glorious schedule. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the fest’s quarterly zine!
Want more Milwaukee Record? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and/or support us on Patreon.