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1964 Smith Corona Electra 120 Serial # 6LE2-112058 1964 Smith Corona Electra 120 typewriter, Serial # 6LE2-112058 Steven Blake's 1964 Smith Corona Electra 120 typewriter. 2022-01-11 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Steven Blake: 1964 Smith Corona Electra 120 Serial # 6LE2-112058 What’s not to love about Smith-Corona’s electric portables? These classic, well-built, and easy-to-use typewriters contain most every feature available on the full-size machines of their era yet were lightweight enough to be toted between home and school or even the office. As a result, SCM’s portable electrics quickly became a popular choice for students and small business users alike. The fact that so many of them survive to this day is a testament to their durability as well.

This 1964 Electra 120 is a typical example of the model with its wide 12-inch carriage (its sister machine, the Electra 110, by way of comparison, has a narrower 10-inch carriage), full-size key layout, plus it came with an almost bulletproof carrying case. And while the typebars are actuated and driven by way of a small electric motor inside the case, the 120 also has manual carriage return, which I prefer.

But the reason this particular 120 speaks to me can be found in its typeface: Smith-Corona’s
Classic Pica (No. 85). I have a certain fondness for any of the modern, squared-off, sans serif typefaces offered by almost every typewriter manufacturer at one time or another. They are all essentially variations on the “cubic” type style. And while there are lots of examples of the Olympia and Hermes versions in and about the typosphere, I had never seen SCM’s take on the cubic style until I stumbled across this machine in a vintage store. Note: a clip of the Classic Pica entry from SCM’s typeface guide is included in the photos, courtesy of Ted Munk (with a link to the entire guide below).

1964 Smith Corona Electra 120 #6LE2-112058

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Steven Blake (FloydGondolli)
Created: 01-11-2022 at 10:12PM
Last Edit: 01-11-2022 at 10:19PM

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Description:

What’s not to love about Smith-Corona’s electric portables? These classic, well-built, and easy-to-use typewriters contain most every feature available on the full-size machines of their era yet were lightweight enough to be toted between home and school or even the office. As a result, SCM’s portable electrics quickly became a popular choice for students and small business users alike. The fact that so many of them survive to this day is a testament to their durability as well.

This 1964 Electra 120 is a typical example of the model with its wide 12-inch carriage (its sister machine, the Electra 110, by way of comparison, has a narrower 10-inch carriage), full-size key layout, plus it came with an almost bulletproof carrying case. And while the typebars are actuated and driven by way of a small electric motor inside the case, the 120 also has manual carriage return, which I prefer.

But the reason this particular 120 speaks to me can be found in its typeface: Smith-Corona’s
Classic Pica (No. 85). I have a certain fondness for any of the modern, squared-off, sans serif typefaces offered by almost every typewriter manufacturer at one time or another. They are all essentially variations on the “cubic” type style. And while there are lots of examples of the Olympia and Hermes versions in and about the typosphere, I had never seen SCM’s take on the cubic style until I stumbled across this machine in a vintage store. Note: a clip of the Classic Pica entry from SCM’s typeface guide is included in the photos, courtesy of Ted Munk (with a link to the entire guide below).

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Hunter: Steven Blake (FloydGondolli)

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Lawyer and recently acknowledged typewriter addict. It all started with an IBM Personal Typewriter, followed by a Smith-Corona Galaxie Deluxe, an Adler Universal 20, and then, well, you know the rest.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona Electra 120 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona Electra 120 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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