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1936 Remington Noiseless Portable Serial # N82004 1936 Remington Noiseless Portable typewriter, Serial # N82004 Wayne Bouchard's 1936 Remington Noiseless Portable typewriter. 2024-11-11 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Wayne Bouchard: 1936 Remington Noiseless Portable Serial # N82004 A Remington Rand "Noiseless Portable" built in 1936.
Equipped with Pica No. 6 (10 pitch, 6 LPI)

This is a typewriter that was built after the Noiseless system, using a "thrust" mechanism to accelerate the type bars against the platen. However, it is calibrated to stop just shy and let momentum carry it the rest of the way. A traditional typewriter with a "throw" system also does this, however, the force in the Noiseless design is mare carefully controlled, resulting in a softer impact. So you get more of a "thud" than a "smack". Additionally, other areas of the typewriter have been modified to reduce the noise of operation.

The problem, as I see it, is that while this works to a degree, what it does is push the noise into the lower frequency spectrum. So what can happen is that you get a low rumble, rather than the high pitched chatter. What you find more annoying depends on what type of person you are. You will also notice that the characters are more sharply cut here than they would be on another typewriter. This is necessary in order to make a clear impression with less force, but even still, these typewriters usually produce a softer sort of impression than standard, albeit still perfectly readable. This has only gotten worse as these units have aged. If you look at memos produced by the secretary to Winston Churchill, you are looking at memos typed on a Remington Noiseless Standard typewriter which operates with a similar setup and they are pretty clear. So it is evident that these typewriters have drifted from their factory setup. One other issue with these is that you have to have a particular typing technique to keep from skipping and that means using a softer touch than otherwise desirable.

1936 Remington Noiseless Portable #N82004

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Wayne Bouchard (azweb100)
Created: 11-11-2024 at 06:32PM
Last Edit: 11-11-2024 at 06:50PM


Description:

A Remington Rand "Noiseless Portable" built in 1936.
Equipped with Pica No. 6 (10 pitch, 6 LPI)

This is a typewriter that was built after the Noiseless system, using a "thrust" mechanism to accelerate the type bars against the platen. However, it is calibrated to stop just shy and let momentum carry it the rest of the way. A traditional typewriter with a "throw" system also does this, however, the force in the Noiseless design is mare carefully controlled, resulting in a softer impact. So you get more of a "thud" than a "smack". Additionally, other areas of the typewriter have been modified to reduce the noise of operation.

The problem, as I see it, is that while this works to a degree, what it does is push the noise into the lower frequency spectrum. So what can happen is that you get a low rumble, rather than the high pitched chatter. What you find more annoying depends on what type of person you are. You will also notice that the characters are more sharply cut here than they would be on another typewriter. This is necessary in order to make a clear impression with less force, but even still, these typewriters usually produce a softer sort of impression than standard, albeit still perfectly readable. This has only gotten worse as these units have aged. If you look at memos produced by the secretary to Winston Churchill, you are looking at memos typed on a Remington Noiseless Standard typewriter which operates with a similar setup and they are pretty clear. So it is evident that these typewriters have drifted from their factory setup. One other issue with these is that you have to have a particular typing technique to keep from skipping and that means using a softer touch than otherwise desirable.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:





Please take note that the "blotchiness" of the side of the typewriter is actually a reflection of the floor tiles, not a problem on the finish.
Please take note that the "blotchiness" of the side of the typewriter is actually a reflection of the floor tiles, not a problem on the finish.





Serial number N82004, located on the top of rear of the frame
Serial number N82004, located on the top of rear of the frame


I'm not sure there is supposed to be a cover on this side of the typewriter or not, but you can see some interesting pivots and levers here.
I'm not sure there is supposed to be a cover on this side of the typewriter or not, but you can see some interesting pivots and levers here.

A photo showing the mechanics of the thrust system of pushing the type bars into the platen.
A photo showing the mechanics of the thrust system of pushing the type bars into the platen.

Standard American QWERTY keyboard with 42 keys.
Standard American QWERTY keyboard with 42 keys.



These typewriters use spool rings, not traditional ribbon spools. This also means that they must be installed and indexed correctly . When the ribbon runs off the spool, a lever drops which, once it reaches the contact point, actuates a mechanism that reverses the ribbon direction. The winding ribbon automatically captures the lever and retains it.
These typewriters use spool rings, not traditional ribbon spools. This also means that they must be installed and indexed correctly . When the ribbon runs off the spool, a lever drops which, once it reaches the contact point, actuates a mechanism that reverses the ribbon direction. The winding ribbon automatically captures the lever and retains it.

The case is worse for wear. This appears to be brass on steel, but after removing the oxide, it has turned distinctly copper colored. The leather has also disintegrated at the ends of the handle.
The case is worse for wear. This appears to be brass on steel, but after removing the oxide, it has turned distinctly copper colored. The leather has also disintegrated at the ends of the handle.


Hunter: Wayne Bouchard (azweb100)

Wayne Bouchard's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1089

Collector of several things, including typewriters, slide rules, and mechanical calculators.
Started collecting typewriters in 2023 with a Royal HHE like the one I did my first book report on when I was in school and using my dad's old typewriter.



RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Remington Noiseless Portable on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Remington Serial Number page and the Remington Noiseless Portable By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.