1983 IBM Selectric III Correcting
One of the main innovations to these typewriters is the golf-ball changeable typeface so different fonts could easily be swapped in and out.
The interchangeable font idea wasn’t new and it’s writing that the IBM Selectrics took the concept from the Blickensderfer typewriter from the early 1900s.
The golf ball contains the standard 44 typewriter characters. During prototype design, an IBM computer scientist Bob Berner had pioneered the creation of the American Standard Code for INformation Interchange, or ASCII which defines the characters used by computers. He pushed to get the Selectric typewriters to use 64 characters required for ASCII so it would be easier to convert Selectric typewriters for computer input.
The Selectric din’t get to speak ASCII, but uses a unique code base on the tilt and rotate command to be able to print.
The Selectric 2 was released in 1971 with sharper corner and squarer lines and the ability to change the pitch from 10 to 12 characters per inch.
The Selectric III, was sold in the 80s with more advanced word processing capabilities and a 96-character printing element.
But by 1986 personal computers and daisy-wheel printers began to take over and the Selectric brand typewriter was retired.
In 1973 a ribbon that could correct mistakes was created.
This one is an example where the return and express wasn’t working. The ribbon carriage would fly to the right but not return unless pushed back.
All the foam in this typewriter had turned to mush and was soaked with years of oil. All that had to be removed. Other than quieting down the machine a bit, it really served no other purpose.
After cleaning and adjusting the return spring mechanism, this IBM is working perfectly again.
The IBM Selectric III Correcting typewriter is by far one of the best industry work horses out there. Many people still use these for filling in forms in their businesses. Some people even love these for writing stories, screen plays and more.
When they work, they are fantastic! When they don’t they are a bear to fix.
The IBM Selectric typewriter was the first of it’s kind, originally created back in 1961. It transformed the speed, accuracy and flexibility with which people could create typed documents. The keyboard was innovative and helped pave the way for the use of typewriter keyboards as the primary method for humans to interact with computers.
These were so popular when they first came out that the sales forecast expected to only sell 60 or less, but ended up selling nearly 600. Sales grew quickly with some 80 thousand orders created by the end of 1961. By 1986 over 13 million Selectric typewriters had been sold.
Prices are for reference and not necessarily a “For Sale” price.
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