Creating identical words using potato stamps was a fun, engaging and sometimes challenging process that required a significant amount of time and effort. From preparing the potatoes and carving the stamps to testing them out and producing the final prints, the entire process was manual and required a great deal of attention to detail.

First, I chose potatoes that were relatively large and had a smooth surface. I bought several knowing it would take me several attempts to get it right. I cut them in thirds to create a flat surface for carving. I sketched out the letters for the word “smile” using all capitals thinking this would be easier. It was not! This was a bit tricky because I had to make sure that the letters were mirrored, so they would appear correctly when stamped onto paper. I struggled immensely with the “S” and “E.” Once I was satisfied with my sketches, I used a small exacto knife to carefully carve out the letters from the potato. I had help with the “S” it was difficult for me, and required patience and extreme precision, especially with the curve of the “S”. 

Once the stamps were carved, a time-consuming process, about two hours. I tested them out by dipping them in craft paint and pressing them onto paper. It took a bit of trial and error to get the right amount of paint on the stamp and the right amount of pressure to create a clean print. Finally, I was able to create the stamp SMILE. 

One of the things I appreciated about this activity was the opportunity to be creative with limited resources. Potatoes are a common household item, and yet they can be transformed into a tool for creating beautiful prints. It was a reminder that creativity doesn’t always require expensive materials or fancy equipment. I also appreciated the tactile nature of the process. Carving the stamps and pressing them onto paper required the use of my hands and allowed me to engage with the materials in a way that I don’t often get to do with digital projects.

The process of creating potato stamps can be seen as a stark contrast to the mechanization of writing that has occurred with the advent of digital technology. While using potato stamps required manual labour and a great deal of attention to detail, digital technology has made it possible to produce thousands of identical words with the press of a button.

When considering the overall context of the mechanization of writing, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I appreciate the benefits that technology has brought to the writing process. Word processing software, for example, has made it easier to write and edit documents, while digital printing has made it possible to produce high-quality copies quickly and efficiently. On the other hand, the potential loss of the personal touch in writing that comes with this mechanization. Handwriting, for example, is a skill that is becoming increasingly rare, as more and more people rely on keyboards and touchscreens to communicate. Similarly, the ability to produce identical copies of a document quickly and easily can lead to a loss of the uniqueness and individuality that was once an integral part of writing.

Overall, I think there is a place for both manual and mechanized approaches to writing. While technology has brought many benefits, it is important to remember that there is value in taking things slowly and focusing on the details. By striking a balance between these two approaches, we can ensure that writing remains a personal and engaging process, even as technology continues to advance.