The exhibition celebrates the romance of a pre-computer world, when the clacking and ringing of typewriters provided the symphony of office life.

The display was officially opened yesterday, but popular demand saw the doors open on Thursday.

Typewriters have always been a part of Messenger's life, first in 1957 and later as a journalist.

But the machines didn't become a serious hobby until 2001 when he unwittingly became a collector.

''I took them for granted, they were just a work tool,'' Messenger said.

''But many years later, when I hadn't used one for about 12 years, I started to think 'I wouldn't mind using a typewriter again, just to see what it feels like'.''

''I was at a housewarming and saw one in a corner cabinet and thought it was a nice display.''

Soon after he saw one for sale and took the plunge.

''It looked lovely so I got a few more, and a few more become a few more.

''It sort of got out of control.''

Eleven years later, Messenger is the owner of Australia's largest collection, worth an estimated $200,000.

But it's not just the beauty that attracts Messenger,

Like a classic car, each machine needs to be used, and each one has its own personality.

''You get a cadence from typing,'' Messenger said.

''When you get a creative flow, you don't want to be distracted, you just want to go with that flow and pour it out.

''Modern computers prompt you, tell you what you can and can't do.

''Once you get ideas, it's so much easier to write and create with a typewriter.''

The exhibition includes an interactive section so visitors can experience the joys of using a typewriter.

''It's particularly appealing to young people and children so we thought we better put three there for them to put in a bit of paper and get the feel for typing,'' Messenger said.

■From A to Z: Robert Messenger's Typewriters Canberra Museum and Gallery, Civic, open to September 16.