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bregmalast Tuesday at 4:35 PM1 replyview on HN

I have never seen a Selectric in which the ball moved instead of the carriage. I can't imagine how complicated the mechanics would be for that and how often it would jam, break, or malfunction. Certainly not something a company such as IBM would make their reputation on. I used many Selectrics in my time.


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kpslast Tuesday at 5:26 PM

You must be confusing these with something else. Every Selectric had a fixed carriage and moving head.

IBM Selectric: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNUEUth7qjc

IBM Wheelwriter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZabsF0aIE6k

NEC Spinwriter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCCB0AW9yT4

Diablo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5bodpSsFl8&t=342

Teletype Model 33: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N8gu5F894k