My IBM ESC (Electronic "Selectric" Composer) performing a justified print from memory.
Posted by Rick_but_short@reddit | retrobattlestations | View on Reddit | 12 comments
mrspelunx@reddit
Code will read out Andromeda Strain. End message.
GreatGizmo744@reddit
Holy shit I love this. OP I have next to know knowledge about these things. Please educate me in how one can requite and hook one up. I really want to learn more about it.
Rick_but_short@reddit (OP)
Thanks mate. I'll try and make a video where I show the programming of the machine. I'd love to help you find one but they're about as rare as hens teeth.
GreatGizmo744@reddit
No problem! I figured. Not sure if it's the same thing but I really want a Teletype Model 33. I'd just love hearing those things operating.
ddrfraser1@reddit
What I thought my older sisters typing speed was as a kid
ShoddyBasket3209@reddit
Does it use EBCIDIC internally?
Rick_but_short@reddit (OP)
I don't believe so, the way it records characters is, each character has a mechanical 6 bit code plus shift for caps and special characters which is picked up by a rack of 7 reed switches (6 that pick up the characters code and one to register shift)
megaladon44@reddit
it a demon typing that this thing has a soul
Rick_but_short@reddit (OP)
No demon just 2,800 parts actuated by a few solenoid banks.
ghoffart@reddit
BTW: Which IBM typewriters or printers have ribbon-tape (non-ink-based) and an RS232 or IEEE1284 interface?
Rick_but_short@reddit (OP)
Most selectrics and selectric based machines take carbon Film cartridges apart from some selectric 1 machines that could be optioned with a fabric ink ribbon. As for interfaces I couldn't say, however for this machine to enter into the memory you press the "entry" key to the left of the keyboard, then enter codes for how you want the text formatted on retrieval and printing, then you type out the text and then print in the format.
Rick_but_short@reddit (OP)
The IBM ESC is a professional typesetting machine from 1975 based on the Selectric typewriter. When printing it recalls from a memory bank in the rear of the machine that holds approximately 8k characters. The printing itself is done entirely mechanically powered by a single AC motor and driven by solenoids.