Monday, April 25, 2011

Hail To The Selectric

 



My 1966 red IBM Selectric I does the honors this week.



You like me. You really, really like me!!!


10 comments:

  1. 'course we like you! Living the dream! Everyone else has to be a little bit furtive and apologetic because they CAN get in the way of work, life etc.

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  2. Yes, the Selectric, King of the Electrics! Our secretaries at the university do use the wheel writer, but I could not fathom why the Selectric was jettisoned for the wheel writer. The former seems to me to be the superior machine.

    --Marty

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    Replies
    1. The Selectric has around Two Thousand Eight Hundred Forty Two parts. The Wheelwriter has about Twenty.

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  3. Thanks from the UK ... whenever I get depressed at what I do for a living, a quick read of your blog ... with its passion for what you do, and your enthusiasm ... brightens my day. That's not to mention the fantastic nostalgia trips that you set in motion. Well done and thank you. Colin

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  4. Thanks Tom, and yes of course we like you! Your posts are terrific. I love my Selectric III that I worked on myself a while back. I had to replace the bushing under the clutch where the motor is. Also I sent out a bunch to Dan at Type Clack and I believe he got his fixed too. Must be a common thing to wear out?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOCbBC8ZwAw&feature=related

    I personally love Selectrics just as much as manuals because they really are marvals of their time. Plus if you think about it, they are totally manual, just with an electric motor assist.
    I love that little red one in the picture. Someday I want to pick up a Selectric I because they take up less deskspace.

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  5. Yack! Just when I thought I had settled in as a manual-machine purist, you rekindle my Selectric fetish. I may need one of these as well, now. Such beautiful type.

    On a broader note, your entire blog is marvelous. The many instances of your cooperation with serendipity really makes me think there is a soul inhabiting these machines; at the least they contain a great deal of very benevolent energy.

    I eagerly await your next post.

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  6. You guys are great! I was feeling a little down this week, but after reading your comments, I'm happy as a clam again. I hope everyone knows the "you like me" comment was a joke, really. I'm amazed that so many people like to read about my little corner of heaven here in New England. I'll keep on sharing. I do read everyone else's blog too although I don't comment too much. I'll try to chip in a little more. Thanks again.

    Martin- As long as people continue to use and maintain Selectrics, they will live on for many more years, long after Wheelwriters have disappeared.

    James- very nice to hear from you. I also enjoy typing on a Selectric as much as any manual. I type on so many different kinds of machines here, I appreciate different machines for different applications.

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  7. Yeah, those bushings do seem to wear down often. I think I read they were supposed to be changed every couple years...back in the day:)

    I do believe that every typewriter collector should have a Selectric. They are a perfect writing hybrid between manual and computer...if you are into that sort of thing!

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  8. Hey Deek- I think many people have never typed on a Selectric and have no idea what they're missing. Also, I was just told by Coleman Mfg. in Texas that they can't get those motor clutch pulley sleeves anymore. If anyone else has another source for these bushings, please sent a note along.

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