IBM Typerwriters had 1/2 spacing keys on them

GingerSnaps

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 01:40 PM
Original message

IBM Typerwriters had 1/2 spacing keys on them

My Mom had one and I used it for years.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

napi21

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 01:43 PM
Response to Original message

1. Yes they did, and a lot of other capabilities. Here's a link to the

operations manual for that typewriter. It was quite revolutionary when it was introduced.

http://www.ibmcomposer.org/docs/Selectric%20Composer%20Operations%20Manual.pdf

I used one many years ago, and although I sure was no typist, it made my life a lot easier when the few emergencies arose when I was the only one around to get something done.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

GingerSnaps

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 01:46 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. They are spinning a bunch of BS

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

mzmolly

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 03:45 PM
Response to Reply #1

12. THIS is the sort of thing WE need to send to the media.

:hi:

Get busy !

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

pacalo

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 01:47 PM
Response to Original message

3. I miss some of the functions typewriters had.

The 1/2-space key was very helpful in typing exponent characters, also. Can't the computer geniuses come up with a 1/2-space key? Please?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

GingerSnaps

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 01:49 PM
Response to Reply #3

5. I don't think that there is one

They keep going back to the part about the 1/2 inch space and it doesn't measure up and that is why the documents are forged.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

pacalo

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 02:30 PM
Response to Reply #5

8. Sounds like the allegations are coming from those who

weren't around in the typewriter days.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

wryter2000

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 01:48 PM
Response to Original message

4. The IBM selectric typewriter

The IBM Selectric Correcting Typewriter II (second generation from the one we're discussing, I think) was the finest typewriter ever manufactured. If I couldn't have a computer, I'd have one of those. In fact, they were far, far superior to the first computer printers.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

zulchzulu

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 01:51 PM
Response to Reply #4

6. The Erase Back Key RAWKED DUDE!

Imagine typing something and then have a backspace to delete the typed on lettering!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Lancer

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 01:55 PM
Response to Reply #4

7. The IBM Selectric Correcting Typewriter II

if I'm remembering correctly, wasn't this the first typewriter where typing an exclamation point wasn't a two-step process?

Before them you had to type a period, backspace and type an apostrophe.

I still miss the ZING! of a carriage return on an old manual. My father, ex-newspaperman, has several of them.

Used effectively in Citizen Kane thusly:

KANE (typing): Of course we're speaking, Jedediah.

You're fired.

CARRIAGE RETURN: Ziiinnng!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

napi21

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 02:39 PM
Response to Original message

9. Listen to Ed Schultz on the net. Guest said look at all previous docs

issued on W's records, and they all contain superscript! Isn't that a reliable way to confirm these docs came from a ligitimate source? Gee, why didn't I think of that!!!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Zookeeper

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 03:30 PM
Response to Original message

10. For what it's worth...

I don't remember too many details of using those wonderful old Selectrics, but I do remember the raised "th," and using 1/2 space functions.

Again, FWIW, the first time I saw the documents I recognized them as being typed, not printed. 'Just something about being familiar with both methods.

(OK, I know I'm dating myself here! ;-) )

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

qanda

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 03:42 PM
Response to Original message

11. I have a question and hopefully someone will answer...

There are things on the documents from the 70's that can be reproduced today, but are there some things that only a typewriter from the 70's would have been able to do (like some of the shapes of the letters or numbers)?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

yellowcanine

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Sep-10-04 03:56 PM
Response to Reply #11

13. If they have the original documents it is easy to tell type from laser

print - the type makes an indentation on the page.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Sun May 05th 2024, 11:47 PM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.