A Typewriter Tool Kit , IBM Repair Box , Service Equipment<br /> by [[Duane Jensen]] of [[Phoenix Typewriter]] <br /> accessed on 2026-02-24T00:16:44

via Rick Becker at https://www.facebook.com/groups/259796744144251?multi_permalinks=24082657108098214

https://www.facebook.com/groups/259796744144251?multi_permalinks=24082657108098214

True mineral spirits won't harm the plastic keys of an IBM Selectric whereas lacquer thinner, paint thinner, etc. will cause issues.

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1qof9xw/a_mechanical_lazarus_by_charles_bukowski/

a mechanical Lazarus by Charles Bukowski

The Arabic We Never Got: Unified Arabic Script #shorts<br /> by [[Haithooomi]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-01-22T09:56:12

via https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1qaftye/finding_the_correct_ribbon_for_a_1973_ibm_model_d/

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1q71z6k/ibm_selectric_i_spotted_on_one_of_the_maps_in_the/

https://app.box.com/v/selectric

Successful Secretary Presented by Royal Office Typewriters. A Thomas Craven Film Corporation Production, 1966. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If5b2FiDaLk.

Script: Lee Thuna<br /> Educational Consultant: Catharine Stevens<br /> Assistant Director: Willis F. Briley<br /> Design: Francisco Reynders<br /> Director & Producer: Carl A. Carbone<br /> A Thomas Craven Film Corporation Production

"Mother the mail"

gendered subservience

"coding boobytraps"

"I think you'll like the half sheet better. It is faster." —Mr. Typewriter, timestamp

A little bit of the tone of "HAL" from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). This is particularly suggestive as H.A.L. was a one letter increment from I.B.M. and the 1966 Royal 660 was designed to compete with IBM's Selectric

This calm voice makes suggestions to a secretary while H.A.L. does it for a male astronaut (a heroic figure of the time period). Suddenly the populace feels the computer might be a bad actor.

"We're living in an electric world, more speed and less effort."—Mr. Typewriter<br /> (techno-utopianism)

https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/john-irving-and-academy

Jack Handey Is the Envy of Every Comedy Writer in America by [[Dan Kois]]

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1kyerph/snl_writing_legend_jack_handey_with_his_lap/

Typewriter Collection: IBM Typewriters by [[Erik Bruchez]]

Looks like Peter Elbow used an early IBM Selectric I

https://selectric.org/selectric/

World's fastest typist in typewriter - Stella Pajunas

140 wpm

Typing with a handkerchief covering the keyboard such that the handkerchief doesn't move.

How Soviets used IBM Selectric keyloggers to spy on US diplomats by [[Dan Goodin]]

David Hayden <br /> Austin Selectric Rescue<br /> https://selectricrescue.org/

Custom type elements for the IBM Selectric

ᔥ[[Joe Van Cleave]] in New Selectric Type Elements<br /> (accessed:: 2024-10-19 11:42:15)

Custom 3D Printed Selectric Elements are HERE! (Vogue! Papyrus!) by [[Theodore Munk]]

1962 Vintage IBM Typewriter Training Film IBM Selectric Proper Typing Procedures, w/ Bud McDole by [[Computer History Archives Project]]

Right at the Typewriter. 16 mm. San Francisco, CA: KQED, 1962. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPfHAW_OfGo.

On manual typewriters one "snaps" the keys while on an electric keyboard one "taps" the keys for maximum speed and accuracy.

Overview of functionality of an IBM typewriter.

To add longevity to one's carbon papers they should be rotated both top to bottom and front to back within one's packs.

Use plastic type cleaner, meant for cleaning type slugs, to clean the excess ink from a typewriter. Form it into a point and press it to the letter to erase several times. Then erase with eraser shield and eraser.

To type to the very bottom of the page, particularly with a carbon pack, to prevent slippage at the bottom, insert a "trailer sheet" about halfway down the first page. Insert it at the back of the pack just behind the original and between the first carbon sheet.

For typing small sheets of paper (index cards) fold a pleat into a regular sheet of paper and use the lip to hold the smaller sheet you're typing on.

To more quickly type envelopes, do the first then reverse the platen so that only about an inch of the top of the envelope is visible. Then insert the next envelope behind the first and continue reversing the platen. This will allow the finished envelopes to stack at the paper table and speed the threading and typing of envelopes in rapid succession.

Use of the divots on the typing guide for making horizontal or vertical lines while moving the carriage or rotating the platen respectively.

How to change the typeball and the ribbon cartridge on the IBM selectric.

Oliver Sacks Archive Heads to the New York Public Library by [[Jennifer Schuessler]]

The voluminous papers of the celebrated neurologist include letters, notebooks, drafts and other traces of a man who couldn’t stop writing.

You have to love the boos, notebooks, papers, fountain pen, typewriter, computer, printer, and even writing software all pictured in this... Add the glasses and it just reeks of someone who reads and writes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aopwhHY9eUY

Demonstration of an IBM Selectric on an episode of Columbo.

https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1f3b3gg/whats_molykote/lkckuwc/

Molykote BR2<br /> Shell grease 6430<br /> Molykote A Depot Fat Technical white oil

Mobil grease 28 (replacement for IBM No. 23 grease in IBM Selectrics) contains clay thickener which many greases don't have Mobil 1 0W-30 (or 0W-20)

See also: https://archive.org/details/olympia-sge-30-spare-parts-catalog-german/page/n23/mode/2up

The IBM Personal Typewriter and the Selectric 1 - IBMs Two Smallest Typewriters by [[Typewriter Chicago]]

Sad to see Lucas drop a type element (golf ball) at the end and break it...

The Minimal Complete Typewriter Collection by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

Joe Van Cleave's personal six categories in a (his) typewriter collection: - Standard manual - medium-sized portable (largest segment in the collector's space) - lightweight portable or ultra-portable - typebar electric - IBM Selectric - Electronic typewriter (thermal typewriter), portable, quiet, battery operation.

Joe's minimal collection based on what he's got in his collection currently and the condition that they're in: - Royal KMM (his only standard) - Hermes 3000 (boxy middle era) - Olympia Splendid 33 (he's also got a Royal Mercury & Groma Kalibri) - Olympia Reporter - Selectric I (the only one he's got) cloth, ribbon cartridge system, no lift-off correction - Canon Typestar 220

Some of Joe's most important criteria in a typewriter: he prefers an elite face, 1 1/2 spacing, and bichrome setting.

At the time of this recording Joe had 30 typewriters.