IBM Selectric!

In Typewriter Video Series Episode 322, Joe presents the newest machine in his collection, the original IBM Selectric, the so-called Model 1, but actually Type 721.

[@cfloren]

On craigslist here in LA a few months ago there was a dirty, forlorn green model 721 Selectric that kept calling to me because it was cheap... and it was cheap because it was non-functional. I finally made the trek out to Burbank to meet the seller in a storage garage full of movie & TV props (for rent and for sale). I scored the grungy Selectric, took it home, and began my trial by fire. The machine was incredibly dirty and gunked up, the motor did start spinning with some persuasion, but the rotate tape broke almost immediately. The tab pulley was already broken and the tab cord came unwound from its spools. By watching Mr. Duane Jensen's (Phoenix Typewriter) videos I was able to completely clean, refurbish, and recommission this beautiful old masterpiece. The classic light minty green finish came back looking almost new, and it types with nary a hiccup now. I got sucked into the cult (or sect) of Selectric, seduced by its clever all-mechanical design and its incredible speed. Such a fun and rewarding project. Now I just need to use it more!

[@av8bvma513]

Well done, that acolyte!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Well done!

[@loveisall5520]

I was a production typist and office manager through the seventies. 1) the original Selectric type elements had spring-steel squeeze retainers for the machine, later replaced with the lever system. The levers tended to break off with heavy use, unfortunately. Special-order elements, for instance with special characters, would have either white, yellow or red levers. 2) it was quite possible in the seventies and eighties with the Selectric I and II, to simply order a new machine shell when the original got too worn, or if one wished to change the color of the machine. Because of the modular construction, an IBM FE could change the shell of the machine quite easily. We used to have older Selectrics and though they weren't worn out, the S-I in particular would wear the finish off around the edges. A new shell would look like a new machine!

[@brucebardell3792]

That machine (narrow carriage, cloth ribbon) was a staple of high school typing classes, back in the day. In fact, I purchased mine used, in the late 1970s via an auction. Of course, it immediately required repair. After the repair, it lasted about 15 years before again requiring servicing. By then, I had a decent printer on my home computer. I still have half-a-dozen elements (type balls), including an aftermarket Olde English. I strongly believe these machines were intended to be maintained by IBM Factory Service Technicians, who would make periodic visits to offices (and schools) to keep the equipment running properly.

[@LynneLaRochelle]

I recently bought a selectric model 71 in green. Tucked inside the shell was the service record. Many visits to tune it up between 1969 and 1986.

[@jennievpollard77]

I used the IBM Selectric and remember when it was considered advanced technology. Some of the later models were used for a long time in offices to address envelopes and other office typing tasks.

[@ImperfectPhotography]

Thanks for a great trip down Memory Lane. I had a 3rd series one in the 1990’s still miss it 😢

[@cristianseres1353]

I used to have a red Selectric I in the 1990s which I used to write some of my essays in high school in Finland. What a piece of art in engineering! You just had to produce a full sheet of paper with no typos.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

The IBM Selectric 700 typewriter has the best keyboard that I ever worked on a typewriter. The keys touch feels nice, and no hard finger pressure is ever needed. This typewriter is the best. Whoever watches the show and reads this comment, I bid you "Happy Keyboarding!"

[@miconis123]

Fun fact. The IBM Selectric 3's squarer rougher key buttons were carried over to their electronic typewriters (WheenWriters and QuietWriters) and even their computer keyboards. Often imitated by never duplicated by other keyboards

[@Channelscruf]

I own a nice example of a Correcting Selectric II made in 1979. More than one engineer thinks this is the last great analog invention. My favorite typewriter by far. Thank you.

[@alfonsoa68]

Good video Mr. Joe , I love typewriters specially the IBM Wheelwriter 6 I I thing 1986 - 1988. Anyway every explanation you show to us is very interesting . Thanks for your knowledge. You are a Master..

[@yarngear]

💙 Awesome custom job! I'm in 💚 with my Correcting Selectric II. It's the perfect typewriter for me, except for no 1.5 line spacing, even though it's marked on the body. Good to know that I can upgrade that feature. Thanks again for another great Typosphere video, Joe.🧡

[@Selectrolux]

Hi Joe, this is a great video and I love the color of your machine! I have a Selectric 711 (carbon ribbon system, fixed 10-pitch) that was manufactured in 1971. I just had it completely refurbished and it works like a new machine. Mine is that seafoam green color that was popular in the first generation Selectrics...and I call it the "mean green machine." My signature type element in it is "Delegate."

[@khaley37781]

I earned my living for years typing on the Selectric I and then the II. Awesome machine!

[@michaelcase8574]

I just acquired a Selectric 2 correcting from a charity shop today for $44. It is in perfect condition too! I am very pleased.

[@ZachCopley]

You have one of the best color Selectrics... "IBM" blue. The other best/good/famous color is the red one, which Hunter S. Thomson purportedly wrote "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" on. I've personally only seen pictures of him with a beige Model I Selectric, and the blue model II.

[@tbm3fan913]

Cool and very timely also. I obtained a Selectric II some weeks ago and have started restoration. The guts were covered with grease and foam bits all over. Cleaned completely and then the motor failed. Replaced the motor, carefully oiled strategic spots, and it runs with a thump. Main drive pulley next up. The I model is definitely harder to find versus the II.

[@loveisall5520]

PS--Joe, actually, when the Selectric came out in '61, its key travel was the longest IBM had ever had. The original Electromatic from the forties had virtually no key travel on those little round keys. I've owned Models A through C with the little square keys and they had much less key travel than the Remington, Underwood, Royal or Smith-Corona office electrics of the time. That original Selectric keyboard like you have was a revelation, and then the Model D type bar machines copied its keyboard. Plus--if you use those fabric ribbons you'll find that those spherical type elements are a cinch to clean compared to machines with type bars. You bring back some memories for me here!

[@saratoga123321]

As a young person who’s supposed to be alien to this vintage stuff, seeing a random video for a Selectric perked my interest in typewriters. Even as a mechanical engineer the ball mechanism still blows my mind with fascination

[@IzzyOnTheMove]

I got my first Selectridc (blue) in 1998. Now i have a black one with the grey keys (a II). Love them so much. They are indestructible! ❤ And i love the fact you can change the font easily. I use different fonts for different articles in a zine.

[@BooksForever]

I’m not really into electric typewriters, but that blue machine has made an impression on me. Thanks for the overview.

[@selkiemaine]

Congratulations on a great machine. I hope you get great usage out of it. I used a selectric all day when clerking at a law firm 30 years ago. Best electric I've ever had the pleasure to work with. I wouldn't mind having one now, but the technical complexity has scared me off.

[@jkeelsnc]

Very nice machine. I learned to type on a selectric I.

[@justinedse3314]

There's just something about the design of the body of selectric i. It's gorgeous, swanky, and a reflection of the times. It looks better than the ii or iii to me.

[@rickpinelli1586]

I worked for IBM supporting the Selectric typewriters. IBM did not have a Master Mechanic title, I wonder where that came from.

[@mattcwatkins]

Totally taking me back to 1982 and typing class in high school Freshman year. We had to take typing before we were allowed into the computer class our Sophomore year and that was actually pretty smart given there were only 4 or 5 computers for the whole class. Bonus is I got pretty good at 53 wpm and learned how to do some more advanced page formatting that's stuck with me over the years. And you'll see a habit here. I still type two spaces after a period. Totally habit. And your model is exactly what I had..with a cloth ribbon.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thank you! I’ve been wondering who used these cloth ribbon machines.

[@mattcwatkins]

@@Joe_VanCleave It was a bare bones public institution and the teacher, Mr. Wing, that said he could service all but the gnarlier issues of the typewriters said the cloth ribbons were cheaper than the newer style.....it didn't matter so much if student learning pages weren't the darkest block. He'd also reserve a couple of machines at the head of the room that either had the newest ribbons or later carbon style if somebody needed to type a term paper or resume that quality counted. Thx for commenting Joe! This vintage space is new for me and the Selectric 2 I picked up last night for $60 seems in good condition (and came with 27 ribbons) and I'm going to look online for tips on light servicing. I'm guessing it could use a little TLC, cleaning, and fresh oil on certain bits TBD. And I do notice the carriage is catching on the edges of plastic pieces under it with the warning sticker and patent list....the plastic seems to have curled a bit.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@mattcwatkins There are some Facebook Selectric maintenance groups that are good resources if you need to dig further into your machine.

[@mattcwatkins]

@@Joe_VanCleave The algorithm has been steering me that way. I did have some carriage return stickiness show up last night and have some ideas about which bits to clean and re-oil after a good "101" video. Having fun learning as I go. It amazes me that while I was eager in 1982 to explore the worlds of Commodore 64s and ProWriters that one of the pinnacle pieces of analog equipment that cost over a thousand bucks even then are still available and now wonderfully nostalgic 40 years later. I actually have some paper files that I'm planning on typing labels for.

[@saulysw]

Fantastic episode. I am concerned that we have permanently lost you to the cult of sceletric, but I have faith that a good type bar manual will bring you back occasionally!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I still love the manuals. That’s why I’m ecumenical!

[@brendablomberg8483]

Very cool, great color ! ❤️

[@Chernobypi67]

Wonderfull machine IBM selectric 😎👍🏻

[@arthurmagalhaes661]

Primeira que vejo com essa tecla “EXP” (A tecla foi feita em impressora 3D?) e com “RETURN” igual ao da Seletric II, parabéns! From Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

No, these were IBM parts for the Selectric 2.

[@douglasjackson9058]

Interesting machine.

[@napoleoneb.p4445]

Ciao Joe from Italy 🤗👍❤️❤️

[@aphexteknol]

Nice Selectric 1 Joe! Shame it wasn’t a red model, since you could have written your own “Fear And Loathing in Albuquerque” novel. :)

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Funny enough, I was storing a larger red Selectric 2 for a friend, who was going through hard times, until he finally got on his feet and picked it up. He got the red one because he likes Hunter’s work.

[@tmunk]

721 is BEST SELECTRIC! :D

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thanks, Ted, I think so too!

[@suvorovoleg9325]

I want one just for numbers in low register! Is it still possible to find one with an additional cyrillic ball?

[@ZachCopley]

This was an incredible walkthrough. Thank you! But: What in the world are you doing with these customizations? Why would you even think about doing such a thing? Are you not messing with perfection? (I'm sure you have good reasons but I didn't catch them during the video).

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Kevin had the mods done before I got it. He knew I liked 1.5 line spacing. I’m not sure the express backspace is necessary, but it’s fun to watch … ZZZZIP!

[@rickbecker6274]

The 1.5-line spacing customization was actually available as an IBM modification kit that could be field-installed, so it's not total sacrilege to have installed it. 😁 I'm fascinated by the express backspace modification, though. I'd NOT seen that before and I will be looking into it! The so-called "rotary backspace" system was standard in the Sel II's, and it looks like it can be retrofitted into the Sel I's. 👍

[@LTHanlon]

I enjoy using my IBM Personal Selectric except for one thing: IBM's designers and engineers must have assumed that only experienced touch-typists would be using Selectrics. More than any other typewriter I've used, Selectrics obscure way more of what I've just typed - forcing me to slow down and rely on my low-speed touch-type skills.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

True! They are surprisingly poor in visibility, which makes most typebar electrics better in that regard.

[@LTHanlon]

@@Joe_VanCleave A left-handed relative of mine says that using a Selectric makes right-handers partly appreciate the challenges lefties face when writing with a pen or pencil. Right-handers view what they've just written as they compose the following words, while left-handers see less of their words or none. He says it's almost a different brain-use situation entirely. Based on how different I feel when composing on my Selectric, I agree.

[@danieldeary9344]

I had a similar model but larger Selectric II with a fabric ribbon cartridge. I bought it used and it worked, sort of, for 15 years. It was a bit noisy, but it typed well. It had an internal geared pully that cracked severely and I was not willing to get into the guts of the machine to fix so I gave it away. It is very complex internally and that is why I prefer SCM electrics over this. As far as the fabric ribbon cartridge I have always believed you could replace the ribbon with an inked ribbon. My unit weighed about 35lbs. How heavy is yours?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

31 pounds, due to the narrower body.

[@lespaul6550]

What's the difference in size between this one and the white one you showed in an earlier video?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

This one is the earlier body style in narrow size, has a CLOTH two-color ribbon cartridge. The other machine was also the earlier body style but in wider size and has the carbon film ribbon spool system. Both lack the lift-off correction system, that didn’t come out until the Selectric 2.

[@lespaul6550]

@@Joe_VanCleave I did some research, and found out the answer to my own question, lol. This is an 11-inch model, the other one is a 13-inch model. They came in 11, 13 and 15-inch wide models.

[@Inabottle]

I've been looking for a functioning IBM Selectric for years now, I have a closet with 4 that just dont work :(

[@Inabottle]

Also I am looking for a blue one lol

[@kyronwagner9015]

My wife just picked one of these up when she hits the return key it doesn’t go back to the start any suggestions

[@Joe_VanCleave]

These frequently need to be serviced if they’ve sat unused for a while. It could be the greases have hardened up and it needs to be degreased, cleaned and relubricated. There are other parts that can break. There’s several Facebook groups with people who have learned to service them, but it might be quicker to find a repair shop in your area.

[@rodneybryant2873]

I have a dozen or more print balls which I would like to sell. I no longer have any of the type writers.

[@elliotwhite32]

can you do a video about making carbon copies? i dont understand how they were made

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Good idea!

[@c00kee]

Two sheets of paper, with a sheet of carbon paper sandwiched between them, with the rear of the carbon paper against the rear sheet.

[@cauldron101]

It is a gorgeous machine. Although I am not a big fan of electric and electronic typewriters, this one got me badly.

[@elliotwhite32]

no WAY

[@Joe_VanCleave]

WAY!

[@Kitsaplorax]

They broke a lot.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Yes, I believe that was IBM’s business model, service after the sale. These machines certainly needed a service contract if used regularly.

[@Channelscruf]

I’ve had two. One was problematic. The one I now own used to be owned by Teledyne Wah Chang. They were known for maintaining their typewriters up to the level of the federal government, which maintained typewriters to a high standard. I’m guessing that’s why this one has been reliable. I use it at least monthly for business.

[@ImperfectPhotography]

Thanks for a great trip down Memory Lane. I had a 3rd series one in the 1990’s still miss it 😢