1955 Smith Corona Silent #5S 499931
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Uwe Wachtendorf (Uwe)
Created: 10-04-2014 at 11:31AM
Last Edit: 10-19-2017 at 11:48PM
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Description:
A significant machine for me only because my sister gave it to me after having owned it since it was new.
As for this Smith-Corona's moniker, it's anything but silent. I conducted a rather unscientific test to see if this Silent was actually any quieter than another Super-5 model because I couldn't discern a difference in its noise level.
With a decibel meter positioned approximately 30 cm from the machine, I recorded an ambient noise level of 31 db, and then typed a full line of text. The Silent had a peak noise level of 88 db compared to 90 db that a Sterling produced repeating the exact same process.
Pulling an Underwood Noiseless 77 off the shelf, I wasn't surprised that it only peaked at 79 db; the Noiseless models are appreciably quieter, and not just because they create less noise, the frequency of that noise is much lower.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Uwe Wachtendorf (Uwe)
Uwe Wachtendorf's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 13159
Typewriter collector based in Toronto who prefers mid-century models.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona Silent on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona Silent By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
