Tom Hanks named official spokesperson of QWERTYFEST MKE, unbeknownst to him

Illustration by Nick Berg

Tom Hanks is an avid typewriter enthusiast who, since the 1970s, has been a passionate collector. Currently, he owns roughly 250 machines and continues to use them regularly.

Earlier today, QWERTYFEST MKE named Tom Hanks the official spokesperson of the three-day, Milwaukee-based event that celebrates the invention of the typewriter in Milwaukee 150 years ago.

Hanks has no clue of his new title or his prominent role in the world’s only typewriter festival.

“We’ve invited him multiple times through typewritten and digital letters and have not heard back, so it was pretty easy to name him spokesperson because he has no idea this is happening,” says co-organizer Molly Snyder.

As the unknowing spokesperson of QWERTYFEST, happening June 21-23 in Milwaukee, Hanks will be attributed with all sorts of quips he didn’t say. For example:

“QWERTYFEST MKE is the greatest festival of our times and everyone on the planet should consider attending.”

“QWERTYFEST MKE is more than a typewriter festival. It is a revolution of contemporary practices.”

“QWERTYFEST is poised to be the next New York World’s Fair – only based in Milwaukee.”

Tea Krulos, co-organizer of the event, agrees that Hanks is the perfect person to be the spokesperson for QWERTYFEST MKE.

“Hanks has played some really important roles in his life, but the one as spokesperson for QWERTYFEST is undoubtedly going to be his finest yet,” says Krulos. “Too bad he’ll never know about it.” 

If he knew about it, Hanks would probably tell you to check out the full QWERTYFEST MKE schedule and tickets here: QWERTYFEST 2024 SCHEDULE - QWERTYFEST