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Home » Facit » 1820 » 1971 #228104
1971 Facit 1820 Serial # 228104 1971 Facit 1820 typewriter, Serial # 228104 Uwe Wachtendorf's 1971 Facit 1820 typewriter. 2014-09-11 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Uwe Wachtendorf: 1971 Facit 1820 Serial # 228104 It's big. It's very heavy. And it's ugly, in part because of those great expanses of featureless metal that make the 1820 a somber statement.

Typing with it is another matter. The machine works well, too well for a typewriter because it feels more like using a computer keyboard than a mechanical device. Not to worry, there is one feature of the Facit that won't let you forget you're using a typewriter, the noise it makes. The hum and whir from its motor can be described as average for an electric machine, but the clatter from its typebars is on the loud side.

I don't like electric typewriters, there's just too much pressure to work - quickly - once the power switch has been flicked to ON - but I am intrigued by them. Most notable about this big, ugly Swede is that it features a dual ribbon system, which means it has two vibrators (did I mention it was made in Sweden?). The primary ribbon is the traditional 13 mm cloth, but the secondary uses a special carbon - one time only - ribbon. Having tried both it was immediately obvious that the type quality from the carbon ribbon was far superior to the cloth, which incidentally is what was used for the type sample.

1971 Facit 1820 #228104

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Uwe Wachtendorf (Uwe)
Created: 09-11-2014 at 10:39AM
Last Edit: 09-11-2014 at 10:44AM


Description:

It's big. It's very heavy. And it's ugly, in part because of those great expanses of featureless metal that make the 1820 a somber statement.

Typing with it is another matter. The machine works well, too well for a typewriter because it feels more like using a computer keyboard than a mechanical device. Not to worry, there is one feature of the Facit that won't let you forget you're using a typewriter, the noise it makes. The hum and whir from its motor can be described as average for an electric machine, but the clatter from its typebars is on the loud side.

I don't like electric typewriters, there's just too much pressure to work - quickly - once the power switch has been flicked to ON - but I am intrigued by them. Most notable about this big, ugly Swede is that it features a dual ribbon system, which means it has two vibrators (did I mention it was made in Sweden?). The primary ribbon is the traditional 13 mm cloth, but the secondary uses a special carbon - one time only - ribbon. Having tried both it was immediately obvious that the type quality from the carbon ribbon was far superior to the cloth, which incidentally is what was used for the type sample.

Typeface Specimen:

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Hunter: Uwe Wachtendorf (Uwe)

Uwe Wachtendorf's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 13159

Typewriter collector based in Toronto who prefers mid-century models.



RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Facit 1820 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Facit Serial Number page and the Facit 1820 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.