Germany's "Vintage" Solution to High-Tech Snooping

[NYCWriter]

It appears they're seriously considering ditching email and going back to typewriters.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/07/15/germany-considers-the-ultimate-antidote-to-high-tech-espionage-the-humble-typewriter/

 

[classiccaprice]

I guess they would have to start producing them again. Wonder how the quality will be?

 

[NYCWriter]

There are still ...

... quite a few IBM Selectrics -- from the earliest models through the Selectric III -- that are still floating around.

They're built like tanks.

 

[classiccaprice]

They said manuals, not electrics... There are a few still around, but enough for all the government offices to be procured easily? I'm not so sure.

 

[miele_ge]

"Electric" vs. "Electronic"

I think they said non-electronic models.  Electronic models usually have memory that can store either snippets of text or whole documents.  I could see where one of those could cause a security risk.  I remember back in the 1980's Xerox made a version of the Memorywriter (electronic) that was for high-security applications (I think it was designated as "Tempest" but not sure).  I do know that when it was turned off the memory was wiped so the typed text wasn't stored in the machine.

 

 

 

 

[NYCWriter]

Yeah ...

... there is ZERO more security threat with an ELECTRIC IBM Selectric versus a 1932 Coronoa.

 

[frigilux]

It's the return of low-tech snooping: Stealing typewriter ribbons.

I'm a Burroughs fan, myself.

 

[classiccaprice]

Misread, my mistake!

 

[brainardcooper]

Wheelwriter III

I have an IBM Wheelwriter III on my desk at work.  The students laugh their heads off at me but I use it all the time!

 

[blackstone]

So, if you want to save a copy of a typewritten document, do you scan it into your computer?

 

[frigilux]

Blackstone: This also marks the return of carbon paper espionage! (Hint: Done with mirrors.)

[this post was last edited: 7/20/2014-09:04]

 

[perc-o-prince]

but enough for all the government offices to be procured eas

Well, there are a LOT of classic portables out and about, not to mention the ubiquitous Underwood 5s and Royal 10s. We probably saw no less than 2 dozen of them in just 7 hours at Brimfield earlier this month!

And then there are some that probably shouldn't be used daily.....

(Chuck)

http://typewriter.rydia.net/

 

[jerrod6]

I have a blue IBM selectric in my garage along with all of it's different type face balls..  Great in it's time.  I don't even know if the thing will turn on.  I should try it. It probably needs some good oil'n. 

 

[tolivac]

Typewriter ribbons used for sensitive gov't and other things were SHREDDED before discarding-or they were incinerated.One supplier still sells shredders that can be used to grind them up!Have their catalog at work!

 

[philr]

maybe they could juSt sEnd Coded messages oveR hEre and They would probAbly GEt uNnoTiced while poSting About washing Machines Or other appliaNces in this GroUp.

doeS that makes sense?!

 

Or I guess they could go with any type of typewriter that doesn't use cartridges or memory but I don't see the point! I mean, if they're afraid of having their computers spied, how about tiny cameras that could be installed anywhere and film those who are typing?

 

My IBM sits right next to my computer keyboard and I still use it as I don't have a printer on this computer! A few weeks ago, someone was giving me information over the phone and I was typing it while he was talking to me. He heard the typewriter and asked me if I was typing on a typewriter. I told him that I was and he started to laugh! So it's probably not the best way to get unnoticed nowadays!

 

[foraloysius]

I used to have a very heavy electric Olivetti typewriter. It had a small memory function though for the correction system. I don't think it could store more than one line IIRC. Certainly not a whole letter.

I found a picture online, a small one, but that's the one I had.

 

[dj-gabriele]

When Olivetti meant something...

I have this machine sitting on my desk, an Olivetti Diaspron 82, wide carriage.
Made in 1958 and used at my uncle's office up to 1997!!! Still works wonderfully!

I love this machine as it makes typing so much easier with its low force buttons and red and black tape plus correcting tape

I guess I'm an "Olivetti girl" too

 

[foraloysius]

Olivetti meant something indeed! Mine was so heavy, that it had to be placed on a sturdy table or desk. I once tried to use it on a lighter table, the whole table was moving when I typed! lol

Yours is a mechanical one I suppose? I mean not electric? Nice machine!

 

[dj-gabriele]

Yes Louis, totally mechanical!
I could work even in the desert