There was a machine invented as a prototype for the typewriter. It was originally made by Professor Orlando, the authority on letterpress printing and a researcher of mechanical dolls. His wife, Molly, was a novelist, but she became blind and could not write anymore. Dr Orlando then created the first Auto-Memories Doll for her, meant to register everything said by a human voice.

In the present time, the term refers to the industry of writing for others. The story revolves around Auto Memory Dolls (自動手記人形, Jidō Shuki Ningyō). Specifically - the story follows Violet Evergarden, a former soldier, and her journey of reintegrating back into society after the war is over as she is no longer a soldier, and her search for her life's purpose in order to understand the last words her mentor and guardian, Major Gilbert, had said to her: "I love you."