Joseph Heller
1923-1999
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York
Typewriter: SCM Smith Corona Electra*

Heller gained world fame with his satirical, anti-war novel CATCH-22 (1961), set in the World War II Italy. The book was partly based on Heller's own experiences and influenced among others Robert Altman's comedy M*A*S*H, and the subsequent long-running TV series, set in the Korean War. The phrase "catch-22" has entered the English language to signify a no-win situation, particularly one created by a law, regulation or circumstance.