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Home » IBM » Model 04 Executive » 1950 #222215
1950 IBM Model 04 Executive Serial # 222215 1950 IBM Model 04 Executive typewriter, Serial # 222215 Erik Bruchez's 1950 IBM Model 04 Executive typewriter. 2023-02-05 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Erik Bruchez: 1950 IBM Model 04 Executive Serial # 222215 Another first on TWDB. This is the Executive variant of the Electromatic/IBM Model 01, known as Model 04. This model was announced in 1941, but only came out in 1944, probably due to different priorities during World War II.

The Executive model introduced proportional spacing, meaning that each letter could have a different width, counted in "units". It is easily recognizable to it split spacebar, allowing for a wider "3 units" space, or a narrower "2 units" space. From a 1944 service manual, this description dated February 25, 1941:

"The proportional spacing machine is equipped with three star wheel escapements which can operate sep­arately or in combination. Starting with the rear, the escapement wheels space the carriage two, three, and four units. This makes two, three, four, five, six and seven unit spacing possible by operating two wheels in combination. Two, three, four, and five units are used with the present type design. […] A unit is 1/32 of an inch."

This model also introduced the use of a carbon ribbon, allowing for crisper impression on the paper.

The first Executive was essentially a modified Model 01. You can see the big box in the back with the escapement, and the carbon ribbon attachments on the sides. Later executives (A Executive, B Executive, C Executive, and D Executive) had the same form factor as their non-Executive (Standard) counterparts.

This instance appears to be a fairly late version of the design, from 1950 based on the serial. If correct, then this would have been made concurrently with the IBM Model A and Model A Executive.

This machine was initially working, but the capacitor melted after a while and needs replacement before the machine can operate again. In any case it will need some maintenance and cleaning, although it was owned by a collector previously and was in pretty good shape overall.

It weighs 45.6 lbs (vs. 39.2 lbs for my Electromatic). Think that this was shipped to me, and nothing broke, which is to show that you can ship typewriters safely if you do it right.

Branding:

- Paper table: "Executive"
- Top cover: "IBM Electric"

1950 IBM Model 04 Executive #222215

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Erik Bruchez (ebruchez)
Created: 03-04-2021 at 08:23PM
Last Edit: 02-05-2023 at 11:52AM

Description Hunter 43 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Another first on TWDB. This is the Executive variant of the Electromatic/IBM Model 01, known as Model 04. This model was announced in 1941, but only came out in 1944, probably due to different priorities during World War II.

The Executive model introduced proportional spacing, meaning that each letter could have a different width, counted in "units". It is easily recognizable to it split spacebar, allowing for a wider "3 units" space, or a narrower "2 units" space. From a 1944 service manual, this description dated February 25, 1941:

"The proportional spacing machine is equipped with three star wheel escapements which can operate sep­arately or in combination. Starting with the rear, the escapement wheels space the carriage two, three, and four units. This makes two, three, four, five, six and seven unit spacing possible by operating two wheels in combination. Two, three, four, and five units are used with the present type design. […] A unit is 1/32 of an inch."

This model also introduced the use of a carbon ribbon, allowing for crisper impression on the paper.

The first Executive was essentially a modified Model 01. You can see the big box in the back with the escapement, and the carbon ribbon attachments on the sides. Later executives (A Executive, B Executive, C Executive, and D Executive) had the same form factor as their non-Executive (Standard) counterparts.

This instance appears to be a fairly late version of the design, from 1950 based on the serial. If correct, then this would have been made concurrently with the IBM Model A and Model A Executive.

This machine was initially working, but the capacitor melted after a while and needs replacement before the machine can operate again. In any case it will need some maintenance and cleaning, although it was owned by a collector previously and was in pretty good shape overall.

It weighs 45.6 lbs (vs. 39.2 lbs for my Electromatic). Think that this was shipped to me, and nothing broke, which is to show that you can ship typewriters safely if you do it right.

Branding:

- Paper table: "Executive"
- Top cover: "IBM Electric"

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

Photos:












































Hunter: Erik Bruchez (ebruchez)

Erik Bruchez's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 11371

I started collecting my first pre-WW2 standard typewriters in 2017. Since then I have added a few machines to my collection, which now ranges from the 1880s to the 1980s. As of 2024, I have more big standard (desktop) typewriters than portables, a few standard electrics, and some unusual machines like Varitypers, uncommon IBM machines, and more. I am not a pro restorer, but I have restored a few of my machines beyond simple cleaning.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the IBM Model 04 Executive on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the IBM Serial Number page and the IBM Model 04 Executive By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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