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"
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!
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
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.
I thought I'd seen every single TH-cam 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.
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.
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
The narrow classic Selectric. Not a II, not a II, the original. This is the model I learned on in 1982 typing class in high school. And I just bought a black one used for $60 in excellent condition.
I still miss my red IBM Selectric I with an early Finnish keyboard layout. For instance the number 1 had to be typed as a small letter L. If I remember correctly there was no number zero either, one had to type a capital letter O instead. Finnish letters Ä and Ö were on a completely different places than on any modern keyboard. Anyhow it has been the best keyboard I have used in 35 years.
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 :(
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.
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
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.
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.
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
@@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
@@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
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"
Omg the music, the lighting, the sound, the typewriter, everything about this video is immaculate 👌
Thank you so much!!!! I really appreciate it
This is the machine I learned how to type on in high school back in 1985
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!
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
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.
Beautiful machine. I have a blue one that I love to use
Sounds beautiful!
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.
My elementary school librarian was still using one of those typewriters as late as 1997.
THIS IS STUNNING!
THANK YOU
I thought I'd seen every single TH-cam 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.
What an honor, I am so glad you enjoyed!!!
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!
Wonderfull machine IBM selectric model 72😎👍🏻.
The sound of that IBM is like music to my ears
Simply wonderful!
Wow, this video is cinematographically wonderful. The images and the sounds are fantastic.
Daniel
Love the green case! I have the selectric II in beige and love it!
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.
Closest thing out there is the Personal Writer, which is at least an 8 inch carriage, but they're crazy expensive.
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
This is the exact model Selectric 1 that I want, with the cloth ribbon. I have a cartridge for one, I just need to find a machine now.
I'd trade if you were local
The narrow classic Selectric. Not a II, not a II, the original. This is the model I learned on in 1982 typing class in high school. And I just bought a black one used for $60 in excellent condition.
I still miss my red IBM Selectric I with an early Finnish keyboard layout. For instance the number 1 had to be typed as a small letter L. If I remember correctly there was no number zero either, one had to type a capital letter O instead. Finnish letters Ä and Ö were on a completely different places than on any modern keyboard. Anyhow it has been the best keyboard I have used in 35 years.
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 :(
Oh no! That's so sad, these are incredible machines
I can't wait to buy one. Struggling to find one is Australia. One day!
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.
Yeah, sometimes it gets bumped changing the elements
Nice typewriter, Like this!
This is a a tv commercial for this machine
Very nice. Do you have any trouble finding the ribbons?
This one takes ink cartridges, so they're much easier to come by
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
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.
What's Ctrl-Alt-Del do?
It causes WWIII, I think. It's the secret button combination that launches the whole US nuclear arsenal.
Enables silly-question mode. Seems someone forgot to disable it.
Nice! What is your favorite IBM Selectric?
This one!
@@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!
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.
Depends on what local is to you
@@TypewriterChicago Local as in Chicago area- I'm out in the NW burbs
I'm in downers grove @@bouncypear_net
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.
Gorgeous stationary. Is that vintage stuff, or is it a reproduction?
Reproduction!
@@TypewriterChicago It's fantastic, where can I get some?
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?
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
@@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
@@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