Umair Gaines
The evolution of the typewriter is an exciting story, with the first electric typewriter being produced by the Blickensderfer Manufacturing Company in 1902. However, it was not a commercial success. In 1914, James Fields Smathers invented what is considered the first practical power-operated typewriter. Remington released its first electric typewriter in 1925, based on Smathers's design. IBM entered the electric typewriter market in 1933 and went on to dominate it with its revolutionary breakthroughs, such as the IBM Selectric Typewriter in 1961, which eliminated the issue of typebar entanglement. The final major development in typewriters was the electronic typewriter, with the first electronic daisywheel typewriter, the Olivetti Tes 501, being marketed in 1976.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First electric typewriter | Remington's model based on Smathers's design in 1925 |
| First practical power-operated typewriter | Invented by James Fields Smathers in 1914 |
| First practical teletypewriter | Invented by Charles and Howard Krum in 1910 |
| IBM's first electric typewriter | Released in 1935 |
| IBM's revolutionary breakthrough | IBM Selectric Typewriter released in 1961 |
| IBM's market share for electric typewriters | 94% in 1978 |
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What You'll Learn
Remington's first electric typewriter was released in 1925
The history of the typewriter is a long and fascinating one, with many innovations and improvements over the years. Remington's first electric typewriter was a significant milestone in this journey, making its debut in 1925. This groundbreaking invention revolutionised the way we write and stands as a symbol of progress and human ingenuity.
The Remington Electric typewriter of 1925 was based on James Fields Smathers's design from 1914, which is considered the first practical power-operated typewriter. Remington's machine utilised a Northeast motor to power the typing function, marking a significant advance in the field of typewriters. The electric typewriter was essentially a mechanical typewriter with the typing stroke powered by an electric motor drive, simplifying the process of typing for users.
Only 2500 of the 1925 Remington Electric typewriters were manufactured, and only 12 are known to survive today. This rarity, combined with its historical significance, makes it a highly sought-after artefact for collectors and enthusiasts. The designers of the Remington Electric also played a pivotal role in the development of the Electromatic (later IBM) electric standard from the 1940s, further cementing their legacy in the evolution of typewriters.
The release of Remington's first electric typewriter in 1925 paved the way for future advancements in the field. A decade later, in 1935, IBM entered the market with their electric typewriter, eventually dominating the electric typewriter industry. The competition led to further innovations, such as the IBM Selectric Typewriter in 1961, which featured a spherical typeball that eliminated the issue of entangled typebars when multiple keys were struck simultaneously.
The evolution of the typewriter continued with the introduction of electronic typewriters, which replaced the typeball with a plastic or metal daisy wheel mechanism or a thermal print head. The first electronic daisy wheel typewriter, the Olivetti Tes 501, was marketed in 1976, pushing the boundaries of typewriter technology even further. Remington's bold step into the realm of electric typewriters in 1925 set the stage for these subsequent advancements, shaping the way we write and communicate for generations to come.
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The IBM Selectric Typewriter was introduced in 1961
The history of the typewriter is a long and interesting one, with many developments and improvements made over the years. One significant milestone in the evolution of this device was the introduction of the IBM Selectric Typewriter in 1961.
The IBM Selectric, launched on July 31, 1961, was a groundbreaking innovation in the world of typewriters. It revolutionised the way typing was done, addressing some of the common issues with earlier typewriters. Prior to the introduction of the IBM Selectric, typewriters had a cylindrical platen or carriage that moved back and forth, along with individual type bars for each character. This design often led to jams when keys were struck in quick succession, and the carriage frequently forced the paper out of alignment.
IBM invested significant time and research to overcome these problems, and their efforts culminated in the creation of the Selectric. Instead of individual type bars, the Selectric featured 88 characters positioned around a spherical type element, effectively eliminating the jamming issue. This "typeball" or informally "golf ball" as it was called, rotated and tilted to the correct position before striking the paper. The ability to interchange these type elements allowed users to utilise different fonts within the same document, a feature that had been seen in late 19th-century typewriters but was now resurrected and improved upon.
The IBM Selectric was an instant success, with people placing orders on the spot. It could print 186 words per minute, with print characters striking as quickly as 20 milliseconds apart. The design, overseen by Eliot Noyes, was available in eight colour combinations and is considered an icon of IBM's industrial design and product innovation. The Selectric also spurred further innovation, with interchangeable type elements offered in various languages and specialised type elements for formulas and statistics.
The introduction of the IBM Selectric Typewriter in 1961 marked a significant advancement in the world of typewriters, showcasing IBM's commitment to innovation and setting a new standard for the industry.
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Early electric typewriters used a typeball
The first electric typewriter was produced by Remington in 1925, based on James Fields Smathers's design from 1914. However, early electric typewriters were not commercially successful, with the machines often arriving on the market before electrification was common.
In 1961, IBM introduced the IBM Selectric Typewriter, which featured a spherical typeball rather than the traditional typebars. The typeball was slightly smaller than a golf ball and had reverse-image letters moulded into its surface. The Selectric used a system of latches, metal tapes, and pulleys driven by an electric motor to rotate the ball into the correct position and then strike it against the ribbon and platen. The typeball moved laterally in front of the paper, instead of the previous designs using a platen-carrying carriage moving the paper across a stationary print position. The typeball eliminated "jams" when more than one key was struck at once and the typebars became entangled.
The IBM Selectric Typewriter was a huge success, dominating the electric typewriter market for the next two decades. IBM's typeball technology was also associated with several innovations in ink ribbon design. The original Selectric had to be ordered to use either cloth reusable ribbon or one-time carbon film ribbon, and the same machine could not use both. The carbon film ribbon presented a security issue as it was possible to read the text that had been typed from the ribbon. The Correcting Selectric II used a new ribbon cartridge mechanism, allowing the use of several types of ribbon on one machine.
The final major development of the typewriter was the electronic typewriter, which replaced the typeball with a plastic or metal daisy wheel mechanism or a thermal print head. The first electronic daisywheel typewriter was the Olivetti Tes 501, marketed in 1976.
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Electric typewriters are basically mechanical typewriters with electric-motor drives
The first commercial typewriters were introduced in 1874 and became common in offices in the United States after the mid-1880s. However, the groundwork for the electric typewriter was laid by Thomas Edison's Universal Stock Ticker in 1870, which remotely printed letters and numbers on a stream of paper tape from input generated by a specially designed typewriter.
Electric typewriters are essentially mechanical typewriters with electric-motor drives. The first electric typewriter was produced by the Blickensderfer Manufacturing Company of Stamford, Connecticut, in 1902. This machine used a cylindrical typewheel rather than individual typebars, and while it was produced in several variants, it was not a commercial success.
In 1910, Charles and Howard Krum filed a patent for the first practical teletypewriter, the Morkrum Printing Telegraph, which also used a typewheel. Two years later, in 1914, James Fields Smathers of Kansas City invented what is considered the first practical power-operated typewriter. In 1925, Remington released its first electric typewriter, based on Smathers's design, which used a Northeast motor to power the typing function.
In 1935, IBM entered the market and quickly became an industry leader. Their 1961 Selectric Typewriter featured a spherical typeball that eliminated "jams" when multiple keys were struck at once. This new model allowed IBM to dominate the electric typewriter market for the next two decades.
The final major development in the typewriter field was the electronic typewriter, which replaced the typeball with a plastic or metal daisy wheel mechanism or a thermal print head. These electronic typewriters were smarter than their electric predecessors, relying on integrated circuits and electromechanical components.
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IBM held 94% of the electric typewriter market in 1978
The history of the typewriter is a long and fascinating one, with many developments and innovations over the years. Electric typewriters, in particular, have come a long way since their early beginnings. Remington introduced its first electric typewriter in 1925, based on James Fields Smathers's 1914 design. However, it was IBM's entry into the market in 1935 that truly set the stage for the electric typewriter's future dominance.
IBM revolutionized the electric typewriter market in 1961 with the introduction of the IBM Selectric Typewriter. This machine featured a unique spherical typeball instead of traditional typebars, eliminating the frustrating "jams" caused by multiple keys being struck simultaneously. The IBM Selectric was an instant success, becoming the most successful electric typewriter in history. Its productivity-enhancing features, multiple font options, and ability to handle multiple alphabets made it a staple in offices worldwide.
By 1978, IBM's market dominance reached its peak, with the company holding an impressive 94% of the electric typewriter market. This success was largely due to the enduring popularity of the IBM Selectric. Its innovative design and functionality had set the standard for electric typewriters, and businesses and professionals alike relied on it for their typing needs.
However, even as IBM reigned supreme in the electric typewriter market, the technology was evolving. The 1970s saw the emergence of electronic typewriters, which truly earned their name by incorporating integrated circuits and electromechanical components. While IBM had initially dominated this market as well, by 1978, competitors were catching up, and IBM's market share in electronic typewriters was already showing signs of decline.
In conclusion, IBM's dominance in the electric typewriter market in 1978, with 94% market share, was a testament to the company's innovative spirit and the enduring success of the IBM Selectric Typewriter. However, with the advent of electronic typewriters and increasing competition, the market was poised for a shift, and IBM's dominance would eventually face new challenges.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric typewriter was produced in 1902 by the Blickensderfer Manufacturing Company, based in Connecticut. However, it was not a commercial success.
Remington released its first electric typewriter in 1925, based on Smathers's design. In 1935, IBM came out with their electric typewriter and went on to dominate the electric typewriter market.
The first electronic typewriter was the Olivetti Tes 501, marketed in 1976.
