Are old typewriters a lying around the office a good way to show that the organisation is old and trusty?

Okay this problem is related to my dad's office. He has this 25-year old typewriter, a 10 year-old digital word-processor lying around the main desks of his office. I asked him to get rid of them and use the space for something better instead and He justified it by saying that those typewriters are a way of showing the new clients that we are not a new company but old and trusty.
Is that a good idea?

I personally would think you were behind the times if I saw those OLD things laying around. There is nothing wrong with having a typewriter that you still use, (for typing on vehicle titles or other paperwork) but the stuff that is just sitting there needs to be gone! I would just think maybe you guys were too cheap to buy new things. Maybe a sign stating how long you had been in business could take the place of the antiques.

I hear "sentimental value". Similar to the first dollar the company brought in, or the waiting room chairs the boss's wife picked out, 15 yrs ago.

Have you thought about buying a nice looking cover for the typewriter?
Or even put in a piece of paper and encourage customers to type a quick message. That would be your positive, upbeat customers of course. You'll probably be mildly surprised how many customers miss their own typewriters and how many younger customers have never, ever typed on one.
Or use the typewriter as a prop in a decorative touch for the room. Maybe incorporate other items from the business past', old photos, notepads, etc.. and highlight the company profile.

Your Dad has spoken - he intends to keep the typewriter. Now work with this, not against it. Step back, take another look.

There is no co-relation between "old" and "trusty". Yes, it is a good thing to convey to your customer that you've been around for a long time, thereby suggesting that you do a good enough job to have lasted this long. But at the same time a customer expects a good enough job from any vendor - new or old. Having this old equipment as a "museum" like display - is nice and shows respect to all the work that has been done; but having it take up space that can otherwise be more productive, just in-case a customer may interpret it as a sign of longevity is not necessarily a good idea.

Your dad is an idiot! If I walked into his office and saw such outdated equipment, the first thing I would do is snicker to myself, and then walk out!!

uh, i think that is not a good idea. if your dad wants to keep those stuff in your office, dont just leave them lying around. try to set it up in a corner, to serve as room decoration.

but it would be better to take them out of the office. clients might think what your father said, or, they might also think that you are way behind technology. old and rusty. not old and trusty.

you dont need old stuff to show how old your company is. well, any other company could buy antiques and put them in their office but it wouldnt tell whether the company is old or new.

you just have to prove to your clients that your company is trustworthy enough. :) the 25-year old typewriter, and the 10 year-old digital word-processor will not be the bases anyway.