Yes it is in near mint condition. I used it all through high school and university so it has seen a lot of papers typed up on it! It still sounds as quiet and smooth as I remember. Everything works on it.
Gary
Gary
Two typewriters were added to my collection this past week.
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westingman123
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IBM Selectric II for me, please!
I learned to type on an Olympia manual (a behemoth), and after moving up in the class was allowed the Selectric I. But, joy of joys, in senior-high business class I discovered the Selectric II. After graduation, I worked at the Courts here in St. Louis County, and our brand-spanking new computer system had IBM keyboards. Oh, how I LOVE that click-clack sound.
My speed is always at its best on an IBM.
I still take notes in Gregg shorthand at work, the kids think I am WEIRD. I do believe they think I made up my own language.
I learned to type on an Olympia manual (a behemoth), and after moving up in the class was allowed the Selectric I. But, joy of joys, in senior-high business class I discovered the Selectric II. After graduation, I worked at the Courts here in St. Louis County, and our brand-spanking new computer system had IBM keyboards. Oh, how I LOVE that click-clack sound.
My speed is always at its best on an IBM.
I still take notes in Gregg shorthand at work, the kids think I am WEIRD. I do believe they think I made up my own language.
whirlcool
Well-known member
After reading this thread it's amazing at how many typewriter companies are no longer in business. SCM (Smith-Corona, Olympia, etc.) all went insolvent and folded.
I am surprised that Olympia folded. They had a great reputation, a lot of people love that German precision. They should have gone into the PC business, I bet they would have survived.
SCM did try the PC business, but stuck to word processing basics. But they ran out of money before they really got anywhere with it.
I am surprised that Olympia folded. They had a great reputation, a lot of people love that German precision. They should have gone into the PC business, I bet they would have survived.
SCM did try the PC business, but stuck to word processing basics. But they ran out of money before they really got anywhere with it.
Time I came clean!
While I never actively went looking for typewriters, it seemed they would always find me! Of course it helped that I was at an age where money from allowance and odd jobs intersected with the transition for many from typewriters to computers....seemed every garage sale had at least one. So without further adieu, here are a few, covered in dust, waiting to be pulled out of storage and cleaned up.
While I never actively went looking for typewriters, it seemed they would always find me! Of course it helped that I was at an age where money from allowance and odd jobs intersected with the transition for many from typewriters to computers....seemed every garage sale had at least one. So without further adieu, here are a few, covered in dust, waiting to be pulled out of storage and cleaned up.
A Model D Standard...
Note that this one uses the one-time-use large spooled carbon ribbon (on left)...
Now for something completely different....
This Model D (clean as a pin) uses a conventional cloth ribbon.... but notice what else is special about it?
This Model D (clean as a pin) uses a conventional cloth ribbon.... but notice what else is special about it?
Keeping with the IBM Theme....
The "Memory Typewriter 100". Appears that it started life as a 50 but was upgraded along the line. You select a document location on the dial on the right, tell the machine that you are going to type a document, then commence to typing. You can backspace and/or correct as you go and at each carriage return the typewriter records your keystrokes (if my memory serves...the manual is pretty thick!). I've got lots of docs stored in the machine (the mechanism uses a wide magnetic tape with read/write heads which are positioned by the dial). One can dial up and playback any document at will and the machine will type away merrily!
The "Memory Typewriter 100". Appears that it started life as a 50 but was upgraded along the line. You select a document location on the dial on the right, tell the machine that you are going to type a document, then commence to typing. You can backspace and/or correct as you go and at each carriage return the typewriter records your keystrokes (if my memory serves...the manual is pretty thick!). I've got lots of docs stored in the machine (the mechanism uses a wide magnetic tape with read/write heads which are positioned by the dial). One can dial up and playback any document at will and the machine will type away merrily!
Someone questioned whether Selectrics could be purchased...
While I'd love to know for sure, I have a couple small selectrics badged "Personal Typewriter" as you can see here. That would lead me to believe they were aimed more at the residential market rather than some models of this size badged Selectric or Selectric I.
While I'd love to know for sure, I have a couple small selectrics badged "Personal Typewriter" as you can see here. That would lead me to believe they were aimed more at the residential market rather than some models of this size badged Selectric or Selectric I.
A Model C....
With a glazed power roller. Neat styling though!
With a glazed power roller. Neat styling though!
The Remington 26
Don't let the appearance fool you- Yes, totally overbuilt, but the experience is best summed up as "finnicky".
Don't let the appearance fool you- Yes, totally overbuilt, but the experience is best summed up as "finnicky".
whirlcool
Well-known member
IBM also had mag card typewriters where the document was recorded on magnetic cards. That was a boon for secretaries who had bosses who dumped their typing requests in the secretaries in box on the way out the door for the evening with the comment "Oh by the way, I'll need those ready when I come in tomorrow morning..."
And finally, what makes it interesting....
Dig this.... Your choice of both carbon AND cloth ribbons!
Dig this.... Your choice of both carbon AND cloth ribbons!
And can you believe I can't get access to two of my favorites-
The first, the Smith Corona Skywriter. The footprint of this typewriter is only a little bigger than a sheet of typing paper. The metal case snaps over it making the entire package only a couple inches thick. Light enough to take anywhere and small enough to slip into a bookbag. Great 50's styling and the print is acceptable (though it's a fixed basket/alternating carriage machine).
The second was my Canon Typestar. An electronic machine that had a little lcd display that would show you a couple words at a time. It was able to print in up to 4 colors (it would execute at each carriage return). Used film ribbon cassettes (pricey). But you could run it on D batteries and it was almost silent! This thing saw some use in jr. high where I could type up a report in class without disturbing a soul! Take it anywhere.....
I'll upload pics if they turn up! -Cory
The first, the Smith Corona Skywriter. The footprint of this typewriter is only a little bigger than a sheet of typing paper. The metal case snaps over it making the entire package only a couple inches thick. Light enough to take anywhere and small enough to slip into a bookbag. Great 50's styling and the print is acceptable (though it's a fixed basket/alternating carriage machine).
The second was my Canon Typestar. An electronic machine that had a little lcd display that would show you a couple words at a time. It was able to print in up to 4 colors (it would execute at each carriage return). Used film ribbon cassettes (pricey). But you could run it on D batteries and it was almost silent! This thing saw some use in jr. high where I could type up a report in class without disturbing a soul! Take it anywhere.....
I'll upload pics if they turn up! -Cory
That Remington 26 is really an interesting looking beast
Re the Skywriter.. Here's mine although I'm guessing from your description of the case mine is a little newer? It has a regular vinyl type zipper case and the newer SCM logo
Re the Skywriter.. Here's mine although I'm guessing from your description of the case mine is a little newer? It has a regular vinyl type zipper case and the newer SCM logo
Here's a nice pristine machine.. I erred earlier,, this is the one that came from the sanitorium in Kitchener Ontario
An Underwood Quiet Tab.. they don't seem any quieter than other machines tabs
An Underwood Quiet Tab.. they don't seem any quieter than other machines tabs
An old Remington Rand portable.. It came with two old typewriter ribbon boxes and canister.
The model D in post #85 - I've never seen a keyboard layout like that before. Looks very strange.
Gary
Gary
whirlcool
Well-known member
You are right, that IS very strange. It looks like it has a 10 key adding machine in it. Or maybe someone took the key caps off and put them on wrong?
macboy91si
Well-known member
Ohhh
I think I'm about to faint.... Jules, fetch me my smellin' salts....
-Tim
I think I'm about to faint.... Jules, fetch me my smellin' salts....
-Tim
