The amazing IBM Selectric II typewriter - an electro-mechanical marvel!
Ғылым және технология
This 1979 IBM Selectric II (non-correcting) wasn't working at all when I got it. Some investigation revealed that the plug hadn't been wired properly! I spent several nights cleaning it out, flushing and lubricating some of its moving parts, and was overjoyed when it kicked into life and began to type. Here is a demonstration of the typewriter in action. I hope to make another video showing how I brought it back to life.
I have yearned for a Selectric for a long time. Last year, I bought three of them, but only one showed any signs of life. Now, all three have working motors, but two of the machines need more work to get them working. The one in the video is a bit dirty, and the outer case has seen better days, but it works a treat!
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I put myself through college in the late 60s-early 70s as a medical transcriptionist, typing 130+ WPM on both the Selectric II and III. My IBM repairman said my problem was that I typed so fast that the ball did not get time to realign before I had typed 3-4 more keys causing it to jam. I had to slow down a bit to eliminate that problem. I still love the Selectric III. Would love to secure another one in good shape.
I and my secretary had these wonderful, serviceable machines. I wasn't bad, but she could type 110 words per of camera ready copy with NO mistakes for the brochures we printed for the University conferences. She was a treasure. So sad when she retired. Then I got a college student (45 words per) who thought clean copy meant making horrid corrections, i.e., a letter sunk into a glob of whie-out! Useless for printing. 😂 Haven't thought of that in years.
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to, - having seen your video of that Text Ball in action in slow motion has helped I am Sure !! Great work Anthony, a great achievement Sir
Awesome, nostalgia, reminds me of late dad's from 70s
Congratulations on your repair of this green Selectric II ! Quite an achievement, Anthony! Great job!
@mythicalireland
8 ай бұрын
Thanks Susan! I am delighted because I didn't have great expectations when picking it up. Its previous owner said it was "dead". But the hub and pulley had been replaced at some point, and I think that aided its state of preservation. My first working Selectric - and now I have two!
The sound of Selectric typewriters is so soothing. Brings back good memories.
Looking fantastic typing on the green Selectric II. I also have a green 1981 Correcting Selectric III. Expect a letter coming to you! Daniel
Beautiful electro-mechanical music for us oldsters. Exhilarating to hear one again.
What wonderful euphony. I could listen to you type on this all day!
I have an old Smith Corona that somebody gave to me long ago. It uses cartridges with correction, I still have some new cartridges for it, and it worked fine the last time I used it. But it has literally collected dust (heavy dust) for close to 30 years now. Maybe I should clean it up and see if it still works.
Lol! This is the machine on which I learned to type. I had forgotten about the "whhhhr" sound.
Might be me but listening to the typing it’s so therapeutic you will need some hand therapy after a few pages Anthony
Would have been good, if it did not have that base motor noise.