Typewriter Video Series - Episode 212: Silent-Super Versus QDL

Joe compares two of the keepers in his collection, perhaps the core writing tools, the 1955 Smith-Corona Silent-Super and the 1956 Royal Quiet De Luxe.

[@notmychelle]

You're the Bob Ross of typewriters, Joe. I love the comparison videos, a great way to review 2 machines at once. Thanks for sharing.

[@diranindjeian7825]

Thanks Joe. I must confess that the very emotional and passionate way you make your videos have made me a collector in the last year. I would like to know if you can make a video of those Typewritings that have been cataloged as icons of technology and design, such as the Valentine or the Olivetti's Letter 22.

[@mikequinlan9585]

Me too, I just got my first manual typewriter, I picked the Royal QDR over the Smith Corona SS. I found the keyboard on the QDR to have a nicer feel than the SC SS. The problem is now I want the SC SS too. Oh well in another year maybe I get the Smith Corona. 😉

[@nateballew2369]

I absolutely love your videos.

[@PJames-fh4gj]

That thing with the Smith-Corona advancing the ribbon even when you just press shift also happens in my Classic 12. I like it as it helps me quickly see the ribbon direction without actually pressing any ke.

[@michaelkirwan177]

Can readily understand why these two selections would remain in bulwark positions. They both embody the features that induce loyalty via their durability & reliability. As writing tools that meet those criteria routinely you have two stellar candidates there my friend. Both keepers. Mike Kirwan - Kenmore, WA

[@cuthalion4281]

I recently acquired a 1948 Royal QDL at reasonable price from a local antique store. The drawband was snapped and the backspace mechanism did not engage correctly with the escapement, but with a little work and adjustment, it now works perfectly. It's interesting to see the differences between the 1948 and 1956 models.

[@johntapp7232]

While being near identical mechanically, there are marked differences in the two generations in this machine. Both are reliable, but the ‘56 is more modern and has added features-like the extra four characters and a push button that releases the top. Also, the newer machine is more colorful and has more modern plastic key tops. But both are superior machines.

[@douglasjackson9058]

Thanks as always for great information! Can't wait to see this story continue as you go through your machines :)

[@someonespadre]

One of the cool things on the Royal is you can type the last letter, press and hold space then . then ‘ then release for ! No back space required. On my 1938 Royal Model A the ratchet release is for typing on a line then when it is reengaged the ratchet position is not changed, it is not the variable spacer which is the button on the left platen knob.

[@320Cobra]

Great analysis, Joe. I enjoyed the video. :-)

[@johntapp7232]

The tab stop evolution on both machines is very interesting. On the Smith-Corona-they went to the key set mechanism very early from the old pullout tabs they used earlier. Royal went to the key set in their Futura models in 1959 (the same thing happened when they introduced the same concept in their upright typewriter in 1935-36).

[@silverteinbas9485]

I just love your typewriter video series! Well, I'd be interested in you or Keving talking about his Noiseless Portable:) I recently got the Underwood Noiseless Portable (1932), I also have a regular Underwood Portable (1934) and I love these machines. I also noticed that they both are quieter than my other machines (I have 4, so not much of a comparison), but the sound of the keymovement is louder in my Noiseless, whereas the keys of the Underwood Portable are almost silent - so they're both rather quiet but in different ways. It would be interesting to hear your or Kevin's thoughts on these topics: perhaps comparing the loudness of typewriters and/or introducing his the Noiseless Portable - what fascinating machines these are. Either way it's good to see you talking about your typewriters, always interesting to hear. This is a truly wonderful series you have here!

[@James_Bowie]

A very detailed and interesting comparison. 👍

[@littlebittathisnthatfirear8048]

I type like you mentioned with fingers out and i dont hit the wall of the royal buttttt i do pop the hood when im typing w's or e's sometimes 😅 lol

[@tmunk]

Good choices! I can tell you that those are both together more toteable than an Osborne 1 - that sucker weighs like 40+lbs. I hope Ryan actually organizes a retro computer event like he was saying last month., so I have some reason to keep it around :D

[@dianemaher3538]

So will you do a new "family portrait" like you did back in episode 146?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I should - a more intimate gathering! Thanks for the suggestion.

[@Sharko-nv5gd]

You should do more comparison videos!

[@danmiller6890]

I'm curious as to why my 1954 Silent-Super has the "1" and +/= keys on the top row and your's doesn't even though your's is a year newer? Mine is SERIAL # 5T230656X. I believe I decoded the year correctly but I could be mistaken. Does anyone know why the difference in keys between my machine and Joe's? This is the first I've come across this. I really enjoyed this comparison - thanks again for a great video Joe! -Dan (MtPleasant Typer)

[@LTHanlon]

I also have a 1954 Silent-Super with those keys. I believe the "X" in the serial number indicates an "extended" keyboard - but I have no idea why there's a difference. My machine has the pica typeface; I've seen ones with elite that lack the extra keys. Could that be the reason?

[@danmiller6890]

L.T. Hanlon - Mine also has the PICA type. The mystery continues!

[@LTHanlon]

@@danmiller6890 I'm not 100 percent sure that pica/elite is the reason . . . just an observation. Like you noted, typewriters have many mysteries. I'll bet someone else here has the answer.

[@maxwein6037]

@@LTHanlon For my guess, most of the early silent-supers had lacked the 1 and =/+ key since Smith Corona was still waiting for the newer type-segments to arrive, and they built the first model-year ones with the older type segments. And I can shoot down the pitch for being a reason since I have a Pica 1954/55 Silent Super that lacks the 2 keys.

[@johntapp7232]

I don’t think type size has to do with it. More likely, it’s that Smith-Corona updated its machines, as other makes have theirs along about the early to mid 1950s-some with 43 keys and others with 44 keys. By the late 1960s most all machines had at least 44 keys-some had even more.

[@wickedlyfancy9551]

I really need some help to figure out what Olympia ...

[@johntapp7232]

I would be very much interested in answering your questions about your machine, as Olympia is a superior typewriter-and one of my favorites.!! Aah, that good ol’ German over engineering!!

[@mundomoderno7699]

A mi me gustan las dos. Yo tengo. Las dos pero no se que año son

[@schmenkspeedtyping218]

Hey my royal "p" ribbon spool will not remove from the typewriter, i cannot pull out the spool.

[@johntapp7232]

This is odd, but all older Royal portables, Underwood portables and old style uprights early 1953 on back and most foreign typewriters use the same spool. It must be hanging up somehow. About the only thing I can suggest is to study the spoils to see if the ribbon is too tight or if it mis-wound. You may also have one or two bent spools.