1984 IBM Electronic Typewriter 85 #7112090
Status: Sightings
Hunter: Ted Munk (munk)
Created: 09-11-2014 at 03:59PM
Last Edit: 01-10-2022 at 03:37PM
Find on Ebay #AD
Find on Etsy #AD
Description:
I had never seen one of these before, an odd, short-lived hybrid that was manufactured between the Selectric III and the Wheelwriter. It uses Selectric III 96-character ball elements, but has a strange incompatible ribbon, and an electronically-controlled ball carrier and keyboard similar to a Wheelwriter, however the back half is all-mechanical like a Selectric. The thing is larger than, and weighs even *more* than a Selectric III somehow. I don't think very many were made, as they had to have been hella expensive. Sighted at MTE, where Bill says he doesn't even know how to get it apart, let alone fix it.
It can do 10/12 pitch plus Proportional Spacing (with Selectric III elements?)
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Ted Munk (munk)
Ted Munk's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Curator
Points: 2786
I am a scoundrel without a cause, and my swank outshines the sun.
I am a casual Typewriter Hunter residing in the sweltering deserts of Arizona with a wife, three cats and about 50 typewriters. My main hunting ground is thrift stores, and I rarely pay more than $10 for a machine. My collection consists mainly of portables with cases, and they stay in the cases unless I am actively using it (usually more than one at a time). I do, however keep a handful of interesting Selectrics, including a Composer and a couple of large Nakajima Electronics to use as daisywheel printers for my vintage laptop collection.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the IBM Electronic Typewriter 85 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the IBM Serial Number page and the IBM Electronic Typewriter 85 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
