Two typewriters were added to my collection this past week.

[autowasherfreak]

I have added two IBM Executive typewriters to my collection. These are special because they belonged to my very first boss who used them to produce catalogs for her mail order company, and she passed away in April, and now the business is closing after almost 30 years.

She used this one for the catalogs, and most correspondence. I remember her having me clean it really good so she could stick the red PANIC key on it, surprised it stayed on all these years.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I don't remember this one, but I do remember copying the chart taped to the front, and I recognize my writing on it, unless it came off of another typewriter. This is different--notice where the 1! key is located, I've never seen an IBM with that kind of keyboard layout.

She had three Selectric I machines, but they were taken to local typewriter shop to be parted, there weren't working, plus I didn't have the room for them.

 

[ironrite]

Beautiful Machines!

And that would have been a units cheat sheet on that one machine. Those Executives had the most beautiful type. I think the Ds are my favorite IBM machines.

One of my older sisters had a typing business. She started with a regular IBM C model, but as business improved she got a D series Executive. And she taught me at a young age all about unit spacing. Flash forward a couple of years to senior year in high school, my best friend and I took business machines. Only two guys in the class, which pissed off the teacher. She prefered having a girls only class...in more ways than one. So first off I asked to learn the Executive. She sneered at me and gave me the lessons for it. I passed with an A. That really pissed her off. I never told her how I did so well.

The class actually was the only thing that saved my butt in the working world since I learned 10 key by touch and to use a dictaphone. Also full keyboard comptometer and rotary calculator by touch as well.

 

[autowasherfreak]

This is my Model Executive that I bought off of eBay and then spent about $200.00 having it restored/repaired several years ago. Mine has a longer carriage.

I also have a couple of Model D Standard. One using the fabric ribbon and the other use the one time film ribbon, this one needs needs, and the two that I just got need new power rolls. Even with the impression control set to the highest setting the characters are very light, and new ribbons didn't help much.

I like the typeface on my Executive the most. I don't use them much, it's such a pain to make corrections. If I want to type something in proportional spacing, I have a IBM Model 85 electronic that can do proportional spacing, with automatic lift off corrections. The Model D, Selectric I, Selectric II use the same keys, which I like better than the newer keys they used on the Selectric III's.

 

[autowasherfreak]

We had a D Executive in our typing class, but no one ever used it. I asked the teacher and she said it was a special machine, and no one would be able to use it. I don't even think she used it.

 

[petek]

Nice.. I used a well used basic Model C at my first job typing freight bills. That particular machine I used had all capitals, no small letters, custom order jobs which IBM did. It was so well used that the keys were always coming off and we'd stick them back on with nail polish borrowed from one of the girls in the office. Eventually even the letters themselves were flying off and then the whole carriage basically flew off.. but it had a kazillion bajillion years of 24 hr typing on it.

 

[autowasherfreak]

IBM's were built like tanks. Even the new electronic Wheelwriters are going strong after 20+ years.

 

[autowasherfreak]

then the whole carriage basically flew off.

I can picture that, LOL. Wasn't there a episode on one of Lucille Balls's later series where something like this happened?

 

[ironrite]

Flying Keys

Was watching my sister type on the D and almost got hit by a flying piece from one of the keys. She was pissed that the machine broke. When she was in high school, her teacher made her an example to the class of how bad of a typist she was at the time. Sis got mad and was determined to show the teacher up. She got so she could type over 120 wpm with no errors. She later added a Selectric to the mix and didn't like the machine as well. It couldn't keep up with her speed.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I like the the correcting Selectric II the best out of the Selectric line. The III's are nice, but for some reason I prefer the II.

When I took typing in high school I flunked the first semester, and passed the second semester with a D. My mom bought me a Smith Corona Portable at K-Mart, but I didn't like it at all so I bought myself a Selectric III non correcting, single pitch and ordered a set of touch typing lessons on records from the order form that came with the Smith Corona Portable, then I covered the keys on the Selectric with black electrical tape and I would practice with the records 3-4 hours a day, and by the time school started back up in the fall I was typing 60 wpm. The teacher couldn't believe that I learned to type over summer vacation.

 

[arbilab]

Interested in a perfectly good Smith Corona electronic? Cost-reduced version of Correcting Selectric II IINM. In a 'luggage' portable case. Font-wheel style. I'd just give it to you but the shipping will be substantial, it's heavy.

 

[ptcruiser51]

September, 1965

My first day of Typing 1. Taking the cover off the manual Remington and seeing that all the keys were BLANK! The horror! There were quite a few of us with that same experience. I did finally get up to 90 wpm. Next year was shorthand/transcription. I could never get beyond 60 wpm in steno, but I did OK in transcription because we had IBM Selectrics.

My neighbor is a h.s. teacher, I asked out of curiosity one day if they still taught steno. He said "what's that?".

Those were the days!

 

[lordkenmore]

I have to think that steno is a dead skill. My impression is that any sort of dictation these days is handled by some sort of voice recording system--tape, digital recorder, old console radio with record cutting attachment. (OK, I guess the last option isn't something you'd see in most offices today--except, possibly, if AW.org ever opens an office!) For that matter, there is software now that allows one to dictate to one's computer, and have it transcribe said dictation.

 

[kenmore58]

Yes, everyone, us steno teachers are dinosaurs! In 1981 I graduated college, armed with my degree in Business Teacher Education and off I went to teach the world how to type and take shorthand. Although I taught for several years, I saw the handwriting on the wall (or I should say the shorthand outlines on the wall) that I would soon be out of a job.

Off I headed to court reporting school at night. So, teacher by day; court reporting student at night. It was a nice segue from one career to another. Also, being a freelance court reporter, I could set my own schedule, which allowed me to continue teaching a part-time schedule.

I will say I do miss teaching. Over the years I taught typewriting, accounting, Gregg shorthand, Speedwriting shorthand, English, and even got to write the curriculum and pick out the equipment when the school I was teaching at decided to add word processing to the mix.

Well, thanks for the trip down memory lane. It's 9:30 p.m., and I need to work on a transcript!

Later.

Ron

 

[whirlcool]

My mother made me take a "personal typing" course in high school. I didn't want to take it, but she said she wasn't going to pay for my term papers in college to be typed by a typist. All you were expected to do in one semester was type 35wpm.

The class used Royal "Courier" model office (circa 1964) typewriters. They weren't electic.
To tell you the truth, it was probably one of the best classes for developing a skill. In 1965, we didn't even see the advent of personal computers or terminals in the work place!

I still remember the teacher shouting to the class "Type, Type, Type, Type, 1-2-3,
Type, Type, Type, Type, 1-2-3 over and over again during class.

I wonder how many people used Mavis Beacon to learn to type? My auto mechanic learned how to type quite well using that program. He wasn't the kind of guy you would expect to type at all. But he did learn how!

And as far as IBM Selectrics go, I always think of doctors offices when I see one. I guess that was the place I first saw one of those even though just about every business on earth had them.

Those Executives go for some big bucks today!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/REFURB-Vint...pewriters_Word_Processors&hash=item19afa99115

 

[passatdoc]

I first learned to type in fifth and sixth grades. San Diego schools had adopted a gifted education program back in the 1950s. I didn't begin school until the 60s. My school's "gifted" class was called a "cluster" class: they took in students who tested at the state-defined "gifted" level plus high-achieving students who tests below the state-defined level (these students could be moved in or out of the class depending on performance).

The subsection of students testing as gifted, for whom the schools received extra state funding, were "pulled out" for various enrichment units in 4th-5th-6th grades. One of the enrichment units for 5th and 5th was two weeks of personal typing courses twice a year for two years, hence eight weeks total over two years. Almost one semester of instruction, but it was reinforced because you revisited the topic four times over two years. The goal was to prepare us to type term papers and reports in middle/secondary school and college. I don't think they regarded the instruction as vocational.

We used Royal standard office typewriters with tape over the keys. Our hands were so small then that it was hard to hit all the keys without one's hands having to fly all over the keyboard. The best I ever did by the end of sixth grade on those machines was in the low 20s; I may have hit 28 wpm but without deducting for errors.

But at home, we had a Smith-Corona electric portable. Practicing at home, I learned (with the help of a kitchen timer) that I was hitting 38-40 wpm by end of sixth grade. This kept me motivated not to let my skills slide. I don't think I foresaw the advent of home computers, but I did think that I myself would own an electric typewriter when I was an adult. Lo and behold, I acquired my own Smith Corona electric portable in high school, and today can type 70-80 wpm on a computer keyboard. Our hospital has gone to all electronic records, and the doctors having problems with it are the ones who hunt and peck. The doctors with good keyboard skills are the ones with the least difficulties.

 

[passatdoc]

Does anyone know if you could BUY an IBM? Versus lease one?

There was a woman in my college who had a Selectric II and who earned big bucks typing papers for others. She reportedly did 130 wpm.

What I remember hearing (late 1970s) was that you could not BUY an IBM typewriter, you could only LEASE one (at least Selectrics). Anyone know if that was true? The rumor was that Barbara's father's business leased an extra typewriter for her and that she took that machine to school. I never saw any other undergrad with a Selectric, 90% or more had Smith Corona electric portables.

 

[lordkenmore]

I had typing one semester in high school. It was unplanned--some schedule problem came up, a class I was enrolled for was too full, and so on the first day of school ninth grade I was in typing. I didn't particularly like the class, but I did learn to type. Although I could have probably learned on my own--I remember seeing books on teach yourself typing.

Still, it was a good thing I learned. Not just because of the computer era, but it was useful actually be able to type. Long before I had a computer, I was doing school papers, etc on a typewriter. And it was a skill that was "lifetime" in my family. My parents regularly typed something or other. Even my grandmother, who was a housewife, typed a lot--she was a regular letter writer, and every letter that I can recall was typed. Although not 100% professionally--it seems to me she was capable of using the "X" to cover mistakes. (She did use the correction tape system built in on her last typewriter. Until the tape wore out and she learned how much they cost. At that point, she said:"Forget it!")

 

[passatdoc]

Many of my classmates had college-educated parents who'd used portable manuals in college, and most of these machines sat in closets and hadn't been used since graduation. As a result, they didn't have a good practice machine at home. My parents' electric machine was wonderful for practice, but I was in the minority of students who had usable machines at home. With the advent of computers, I am SO happy that I learned. Because of my age when I was taught typing, they didn't really focus on the numbers or symbols, and even today I have to look if I am typing numbers, but it was a good foundation for a lifetime of typing skills.

 

[lordkenmore]

I don't know if Selectrics could be bought or not. I've assumed they could be--I'd never heard anything about lease only. But then, the only typewriter I knew about in the late 70s was the one my parents had.

But even if they could be "bought" I imagine there might have been people who said they could only be "leased" for some reason. I can't say for sure, but I know in more recent times, some businesses have insisted that equipment can only be leased because of tax reasons. Tax reasons wouldn't be an issue with many individuals. Of course, a person running a typing service out of dorm room might be concerned with the tax issue. Assuming, of course, that the business does well enough, and that this person is honest enough to properly file taxes....

Of course, the buy/lease question was probably irrelevant for many people. I got the impression that the Selectric wasn't exactly a cheap choice in the 80s, judging from what my high school typing teacher said. (We had a lab of nothing but Selectrics.) So one would need A)good reason to get one or B)to be rich. Everyone else would make do with something cheaper. I can't remember typewriter years well enough, but I sure remember that this was the case with computer printers. When I got my first computer, I liked what LaserWriters could do. But, instead, I got a humble dot matrix printer which worked well enough for most of my needs and was a lot more affordable.

 

[rp2813]

I do kind of remember that leasing scenario with Selectrics.  I've seen a couple at Salvation Army in recent months.

 

In Typing 1 back in 1968 we had Underwoods with blank keys.  I didn't like them.  The key travel was ridiculously huge, even for a beginner.  There were some Remingtons in the room as well and they had a much better feel to them.  I switched over to one of those as soon as possible.

 

My WPM were the reverse of Charlie's.  I barely got to 60 WPM with typing, and once hit 90 WPM with shorthand. I can type a lot faster now in the days of keyboarding, and used to have people in other cubicles remark about how fast they could hear me typing.  It's just me being more reckless, knowing I can backspace away any mistakes.

 

Stenography is as much to me a lost art as it is a dead skill, and every once in a while I'll write something out for a friend, like their name, and they'll just have this baffled look on their face, even after you spell/sound it out for them. 

 

 

 

 

 

[lordkenmore]

"Because of my age when I was taught typing, they didn't really focus on the numbers or symbols, and even today I have to look if I am typing numbers, but it was a good foundation for a lifetime of typing skills."

They did numbers and symbols when I took typing. But for many symbols I often have to look. Part of this is probably how little I use symbols.

But it also really doesn't help how keyboard layouts have changed. The basic QWERTY has been unchanged since forever. Symbols have changed--and in some cases, possibly more than once. I learned on an IBM Selectric. Then, I went to using my parents electric portable, which had several changes. Then, I switched to an old manual typewriter sourced from a yard sale. (Call me crazy--many people back then did--but I really liked it. Partly because it was mine, and I could use it when I wanted, although my parents were pretty flexible about letting me use their typewriter. But I also did not like the high sensitivity of my parent's typewriter keys--it made my typo rate go higher than it would have otherwise.) Then I went to computers, which often were inspired by the IBM Selectric, but did some things differently. I made the first 3 changes mighty fast--fall ninth grade, IBM; spring ninth grade, parents typewriter; summer after ninth grade, my manual was acquired. I had to relearn some things two times in less than a year. I'm sure I only bothered with the stuff I used--quote key, for example, and not the cents key. And I imagine there were moments with seldom used keys that I was in temporary limbo, simply because it might be in 2, 3 different spots.

I don't know if memory of years gone by lingers, or if it was accident. But not too long ago, I was using an old typewriter to address an envelope. The funny thing was that I automatically typed the lower case "L" for the 1. It was wrong for that typewriter--it has a true "1", but I wonder if my mind hadn't shifted into "old typewriter mode" somehow.

 

[lordkenmore]

I just took some photos of some old Smith-Corona typewriters I have lying around. I don't collect them--although I'm aware of the rule that if you have 2 or more of something, it's a collection!

Actually, a major reason I got at least 2 of them was a rescue operation at a thrift shop--either "you take this for a few cents today, or we'll toss it in the Dumpster in the morning!"

I also have sentiment for the brand--so many people in I knew had one.

First typewriter is the one I got most recently. It is an electric. It works pretty well, and I've used it for envelopes and the like. I think it's pretty high end for Smith-Corona, at least compared to models I remember people having in the past. It has features like electric carriage return.

Excuse the fact that it's not 100% squeaky clean--cleaning has been one of about 5 million projects I haven't gotten around to.

 

[lordkenmore]

Back of typewriter. Note "Made in USA." Last Smith-Corona models I saw were, if I recall right, made in Mexico.

 

[lordkenmore]

This machine also came with the key for the case. I seldom see that. (I see these turn up somewhat regularly in thrift shops.) That key seems to be a "it fits every Smith-Corona case made!" type. So much for security!

It also has the 2 color style (black and red) ribbon. My parents used black ribbons. One time, my parents typewriter got serviced and came back with a red and black ribbon. I seem to recall my father trying to get some good out of the red side by typing personal letters in red.

 

[lordkenmore]

Another electric. This one has some issue with the space bar not working.

This one has the manual, and something on the changeable type feature. The keys on the keyboard that have a black background (like the "1") had an easily removed type bar face. Thus, the 1 could be replaced with special characters for foreign languages, etc. (Although at least one foreign language teacher I knew preferred to simply use a typewriter imported from a country where the foreign language was used.)

 

[lordkenmore]

Finally, a manual portable. It wasn't as much of a rescue operation, but it was next to nothing at a yard sale. I had the vision of actually using it for envelopes. It works, but is well worn, and if I recall right, the type alignment is pretty bad.

 

[lordkenmore]

The manual portable also had a manual, and those white plastic correction strips. (I really remember those--that was my #1 way of fixing my numerous typing mistakes!)

Interesting that the manual says "standard" typewriters. It calls to mind "standard transmission" for "manual transmission."

 

[passatdoc]

Love the SCM portable!! Mine was harvest gold. Yours must be early 1970s. I bought mine (11th grade high school) for $119 at FedCo. Mine had the MANUAL carriage return. They sold your model (power return) for $149. My parents were buying it for me and I opted for manual return because I didn't want them to spend the extra $30 (in retrospect, had I known the prices and features when we went shopping, I could have brought $30 of my own money and added it in, but I digress...).

When I arrived at college in September 1974, some of my classmates had brand new Smith Corona portables with the ribbon cartridge. Many of them received their new typewriter as a high school graduation or off to college gift. So I would surmise that the cartridge hit the market in 73 or 74. It was not an option when I bought my machine in mid-72.

 

[lordkenmore]

And finally, before everyone falls to sleep...

A comparison of keyboards. Note how some things (like quotation marks) changed from electric portable to manual portable.

First, the electric (the blue machine pictured above):