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1947 IBM Electromatic Serial # 185802 1947 IBM Electromatic typewriter, Serial # 185802 Scott O's 1947 IBM Electromatic typewriter. 2018-04-18 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Scott O: 1947 IBM Electromatic Serial # 185802 I did not expect to buy an IBM Model 01. They look massive; aesthetically it looks like it came from the Soviet Union in the mid-1930s. That said, I had to look when this one was listed in a local classifieds as fully working. Once I typed on it I was sold.

Typing is a dream. The touch is lighter and more responsive than my IBM Correcting Selectric II, if you can believe it. The motor is loud and I wouldn't recommend it for a contemplative writer, but it's an ideal first draft machine when one's brain is brimming with ideas and you need your fastest possible typing speed.

I'm considering getting a new platen; currently periods and commas aren't printing unless I increase the number impressions (max is 25). It's surprisingly easy to remove and replace the platen.

Working on the rest of it seems forbidding. Most of the moving parts lock in place when the power is off, and I'm leery of working on it when the power is turned on. The carriage moves lightening-quick and the power roller underneath looks mean enough to grind tree stumps. It's definitely not a machine to have around small children.

1947 IBM Electromatic #185802

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Scott O (ScottO)
Created: 10-12-2015 at 12:10PM
Last Edit: 04-18-2018 at 03:34PM


Description:

I did not expect to buy an IBM Model 01. They look massive; aesthetically it looks like it came from the Soviet Union in the mid-1930s. That said, I had to look when this one was listed in a local classifieds as fully working. Once I typed on it I was sold.

Typing is a dream. The touch is lighter and more responsive than my IBM Correcting Selectric II, if you can believe it. The motor is loud and I wouldn't recommend it for a contemplative writer, but it's an ideal first draft machine when one's brain is brimming with ideas and you need your fastest possible typing speed.

I'm considering getting a new platen; currently periods and commas aren't printing unless I increase the number impressions (max is 25). It's surprisingly easy to remove and replace the platen.

Working on the rest of it seems forbidding. Most of the moving parts lock in place when the power is off, and I'm leery of working on it when the power is turned on. The carriage moves lightening-quick and the power roller underneath looks mean enough to grind tree stumps. It's definitely not a machine to have around small children.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:



Hunter: Scott O (ScottO)

Scott O's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 563

Writer, collector and typewriter tinkerer based in the Seattle area, WA State, U.S.A.



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