1955 Smith Corona Silent Super #5T 238712X
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Dan Johnson (rdj)
Created: 06-12-2014 at 01:27PM
Last Edit: 04-26-2020 at 08:13PM
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Description:
Never having typed on one of these but rather having less than satisfactory experiences using (albeit very casually) other, recent Corona models, I was intrigued at having read somewhere that the Silent Super may be considered one of the top manual portables of them all.
Having typed a bit on this one, I now understand how it might have earned that reputation! In addition to having a solid yet fleet-footed "feel", one thing that sets this apart from many other typewriters is that the space bar action occurs entirely on the downstroke, just as it does for every other key. To a fast typist, having syncopated spacebar action seems unnatural.
The downside is that this typewriter does not support half-spaces which have myriad uses (including typing em-dashes and en-dashes). It seems a worthwhile trade-off to me.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Dan Johnson (rdj)
Dan Johnson's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 948
I have always loved typewriters along with other kinds of well-engineered tools and devices such as slide rules, calculators (particular HP), radios, cameras (particularly Nikons), and microscopes. In addition to appreciating their intrinsic beauty and utility, they represent "things that need to be figured out to be understood". That's how I first learned about computers and programming in the 1970s, by figuring things out for myself. It's activity in which I never seem to tire of engaging.
Although communities have arisen around other collection interests, typewriters have the advantage that those who use them also typically enjoy communicating through words, whether those words are about the machines themselves or their lives, hopes, dreams, or expressions of beauty. There's much to be appreciated here.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona Silent Super 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 Super By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
