I took a Typing class in High School in the 80s. The entire room was full of these. The greatest achievement in Human mechanical design/manufacturing. "This typewriter goes to 11"

Not only functional., but an absolute work of art. I knew my destiny was writing. On my 8th birthday, I asked for a typewriter. No, I did not get the Selectric, but the infamous "Tom Thumb" toy typewriter. After impressing my folks with my typing and writing skills, I was given an old Underwood machine a few months later.

Omg the music, the lighting, the sound, the typewriter, everything about this video is immaculate 👌

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!!!! I really appreciate it

My elementary school librarian was still using one of those typewriters as late as 1997.

This is the machine I learned how to type on in high school back in 1985

@fredWaxBeans11111

12 күн бұрын

SAME!! In fact, I think the same year I took my typing class. I knew you looked familiar!! 😄 An entire room full of these. It was glorious. An orchestra of Selectrics.

As a guy who put himself through college for a decade doing production typing, I'd estimate that I easily typed 500K on Selectric I and II machines, and the MT/ST, and both Mag Card machines using the Selectric elements, then the Electronic E-50 using the 96 character elements. I was so accustomed to these that every time I returned to my IBM D-Executive or my Hermes Baby, it'd be weird not to have my eyes following the type! I still think the original Selectric had by far the most beautiful skin, being Noyes-designed. I had a science teacher in the mid sixties who kept a green one on her desk that she'd bought herself and I was captivated but never got to type on it. By the time I got in high school the girls in vocational ed had this same Selectric you're using here. Great typing!

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

the first model is indeed IBM's most beautiful typewriter! The executive series is lovely too, proportional spacing makes me drool. I have some 96 character elements kicking around if you need any :) Hermes baby is also a good choice! I've been lately loving the Groma Kolibri

There was a story that the CIA could monitor what was being typed on one of those by monitoring the line current from the motor in a Selectric. Apparently the effort to move the type ball to each letter was predictable. Really like your channel and just found it.

@TypewriterChicago

10 ай бұрын

Thank you! I believe the Russians may have used a primitive depth sensor along the keylevers to determine which ones were pressed

It is a shame that there is no such thing as a correcting Selectric I. Yes, the II is a marvelous machine, but it just doesn't have the same aesthetics, too angular. I found one sitting in a corner of a local library, I think I'll see if I can get some practice on it after work.

This is same model and color I learned to type back in high school. Even when the school bought a few of the newer model. I still chose this one.

Wonderfull machine IBM selectric model 72😎👍🏻. The sound of that IBM is like music to my ears

Thanks for a wonderful video. I have an early Selectric 3 in that same colour.

I think the design simplicity contributed to the acceptance of such a revolutionary machine!

Beautiful machine. I have a blue one that I love to use

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

Sounds beautiful!

In this video, the 'Gear Lever' (Impression control) next to the type element, is set to Max (5) This is for multiple carbon copies or multipart forms. It is the toughest and most wearing on the mechanism of your typewriter. The manual suggests the lowest impression setting that gives good printing without 'engraving' the paper. This also ensures the longest service life of the machine.

@TypewriterChicago

8 ай бұрын

Yeah, sometimes it gets bumped changing the elements

Love the green case! I have the selectric II in beige and love it!

THIS IS STUNNING!

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

THANK YOU

Wow, this video is cinematographically wonderful. The images and the sounds are fantastic. Daniel

I love your videos they are always the highest quality, i have gotten so far into typing that i can't even properly type on a computer since i learned how to touch type on typewriters, still worth it

Simply wonderful!

This is a a tv commercial for this machine

I thought I'd seen every single KZread video about Selectric typewriters. How did I not see yours until September 2023? What an amazing video. I shall be watching it quite a few more times over the coming days. Thanks so much for taking the time to film it, edit it and then upload it. Liked and subscribed.

@TypewriterChicago

8 ай бұрын

What an honor, I am so glad you enjoyed!!!

Nice typewriter, Like this!

We had a very similar typewriter (if not the same one?) to this come through a recycling cart at Best Buy once a few years ago, outside of a retirement community area. I begged the manager to take it, someone to get it off that cart, but they didn’t understand the difference between a normal punching rod and this. And to the trash it went :(

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

Oh no! That's so sad, these are incredible machines

Do you find easily ink cartridges ? I have a 1984 Olympia Report Electronic (same as Nakajima typewriters) and I had to buy it in USA because in Europe it's impossible to find one.

What's the loudest noisiest kind? I'm looking for something to shake the room. A satisfying thud and cha-chinggg. I've heard the Oliver bat wing, IBM Selectric and Super Sterling are loud

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

The IBM is the loudest of the three. Standard typewriters are pretty loud, royal 10 and Underwood 5. The old ones. Oddly enough the diminutive Underwood 3 bank is thunderiosuly loud as well, and the Olympia SM series typewriters are also pretty loud. You'll find that older machines are generally noisier as they lacked sound deadening engineering.

I love this machine. Do you know anywhere local that does typewriter repair? Mine is in good shape aesthetically, but needs a mechanical tune up.

@TypewriterChicago

5 ай бұрын

Depends on what local is to you

@bouncypear_net

5 ай бұрын

@@TypewriterChicago Local as in Chicago area- I'm out in the NW burbs

@TypewriterChicago

5 ай бұрын

I'm in downers grove @@bouncypear_net

What's Ctrl-Alt-Del do?

@stephengnb

6 ай бұрын

It causes WWIII, I think. It's the secret button combination that launches the whole US nuclear arsenal.

@c00kee

7 күн бұрын

Enables silly-question mode. Seems someone forgot to disable it.

Very nice. Do you have any trouble finding the ribbons?

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

This one takes ink cartridges, so they're much easier to come by

Nice! What is your favorite IBM Selectric?

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

This one!

@joshuagalka3526

Жыл бұрын

@@TypewriterChicago Of Course! I love the Correcting Selectric III With the light up margin scale! Maybe if you have that one, Please do a video!

Hello mr typewriter! I am also from Chicago and am looking for a recommendation on a smaller electric typewriter-do you have any in mind?

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

Hi Mr. Orange, I generally don't recommend small electrics. They have puny motors and belts that lose grip and dry out, plus they're often made out of stamped sheet metal. That being said, I can reccomend any IBM electric, as well as some of the later olivetti electrics like the Praxis 88. You might also have luck with later wheelriters, but those suck to type on as they introduce input lag. If you're really looking for a conventional sized electric, try the smith corona 5te, they're very robust, but older. 1950s I believe. Hope that helps, Lucas

@tangyorange6509

Жыл бұрын

@@TypewriterChicago thank you!! I am trying to find a not giant typewriter that is easy for my little fingers to use lol. I thought electric would be my only route but I’ve only tried one writer so far

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

@@tangyorange6509 have you tried any manuals? Gotta put in a good word for the royal P. Some manuals are super compact and wonderfully light to the touch. Don't shame a good standard too, the royal 10 or the royal FP have my top recommendations

Gorgeous stationary. Is that vintage stuff, or is it a reproduction?

@TypewriterChicago

Жыл бұрын

Reproduction!

@mikepesarchick8376

Жыл бұрын

@@TypewriterChicago It's fantastic, where can I get some?