Typing on a Royal 200

Another typing video.

Commodore 776M

Naturally the Silver-Reed calculation machine is the most impressive calculator we have but not the one we actually use, that one is the Commodore Business Machines 776M. This is a typical calculator from the mid-1970s (indeed it was probably built in 1974) when mass production and a reduced number of components meant that the cost of pocket calculators was dropping and would stay low.

The 776M has a Commodore GRBP-67 integrated circuit and has the basic four arithmetric functions plus a percentage function and a basic memory function. The display is a seven segment red LED which gives a pleasing retro effect. The calculator is powered by a 9v battery (though can be powered by an external charger if available).

Underwood ribbon

The next typewriter to receive a new ribbon was my Underwood 315. Replacing the ribbon was slightly more involved than with the Seiko built machines though nowhere near as messy as with the Smith-Corona GT! The typewriter works well and with the new ribbon has a nice clear typeface.

Xeroxlore

As we've said before, office technology like the typewriter and fax machine have always ended up be used (or is that abused) for purposes far beyond those originally intended, such as making art and the production and dissemination of jokes. Naturally the humble photocopier can also be included in this, especially as it could mass produce the "offending" items.

Photocopiers were used to circulate jokes and bogus communications in the same manner as fax machines, this being sometimes called xeroxlore or photocopylore if you wish to avoid a lawsuit. Copies would often be mild acts of subversion against the organisation and how it operated. Others might just poke fun at the futility of the average office job or even life itself!

Fuji-Xerox Copier, photo from Wiki Commons & Flickr by leighklotz

Number 25

Time to add a typewriter to the collection! The latest machine, and twenty fifth overall, is this fine Silver-Reed SR100 Tabulator. The typewriter is in superb condition, clean and seems to work flawlessly. The ribbon even has some life left in it!