[GreenKeys] Some more info on Teletype model numbers

[wa2hwj@att.net]

Jim,

Great information! Is there any way we could attach
timeframes(years, at least) to the model numbers? 
The Model 42 was indeed the 5-level 43. I've never
run across one, but have seen manuals and pictures.
I have a "How to Operate the Model 42" Teletype
booklet that came with a bunch of WU junk.
There was a 42 on Ebay some time ago (mislabeled as a 43
in the ad, but definitely a 42).

Jack WA2HWJ
> I talked with Walt Zenner 20 August 2003
> 
> Numbered models are pretty much a Bell System thing.  Some model numbers
> were assigned to machines that were never produced.
> 
> Model 10 - Western Electric machine, by Pfannenstiehl et al  Typebar page
>    printer with stationary platen
> Model 11 - Morkrum, typewheel page printer based on Blickensderfer
>    typewriter (according to Slayton; Zenner says not based on Blick typewriter)
> Model 12 - well-known machine, Morkrum, typebar page printer with moving
>    platen
> Model 13 - Model 10 retrofitted with Morkrum Model 12 typing unit
> Model 14 - well-known Morkrum machine  It seems, according to the catalog,
>    that the GPE perforator and XD transmitter-distributor were also 
>    considered part of the Model 14 line.
> Model 15 - well-known Teletype machine
> Model 16 - a stock ticker that was not produced because of the 1929 depression.
>    Design was by Walt's group.  It had dual type baskets, one for letters and
>    one for figures.

> Black box stock ticker - did not have a model number.
> Model 17 - Designed by Kleinschmidt, a Hellschreiber-like machine.  Don't
>    know if it could interoperate with a real Hellschreiber.
> Model 18 - Kleinschmidt designed page printer for Western Union.  Not
>    manufactured.  It had a lot of parts in common with the 21-A multiplex
>    tape printer, but was a simplex (i.e. start-stop) machine.
> Model 19 - well known Teletype machine  There is also the DPE perforator,
>    being a perforator-only version of the Model 19 keyboard.
> Model 20 - fairly well known machine, up/low 6-level version of Model 15
>    used for Teletypesetter
> Model 21 -  The Western Union 21-A multiplex tape printer that has
>    a few parts in common with Model 14
> Models 22, 23, 25 and 27 - Walt doesn't remember anything about them.
>    Probably machines that were designed but not manufactured. 
> Model 24 seems to be an early version of Model 26, lacking some features

>    of the latter.  Which means the typewheel positioning mechanism is
>    based on the stock ticker.
> Model 26 - fairly well known machine.  Was intended to be a low-cost machine
>    for TWX service.  It turned out that by concentrating on one model, the
>    Model 15, they could achieve the cost-reduction goal more easily.
> Model 28 - well known machine.  10,000 of them were ordered by the Navy
>    before it went into production.  Sales wanted to give it a new name or
>    model number to indicate it was a complete break with the past; but
>    Bell Labs insisted that model numbers continue in sequence.
> Model 29 - One tradition says this was to be a 28-line replacement for
>    the Model 20, and didn't sell.  Then there was the Model 28 IDP ASR
>    set which a lot of us called the Model 29, rightly or wrongly.  But
>    this is not inconsistent, since the IDP set used 6-level BCD
>    computer code and the Model 20 replacement used 6-level TTS code.

> Model 30 - Walt doesn't remember.  There was a lightweight page printer
>    project for the military that was also an ancestor of the 32/33 line.
>    The military project went nowhere because they chose the Kleinschmidt
>    design, wanting to have a design they could own.
> Model 31 - fairly well-known machine.  Lightweight portable tape printer.
>    Used a type sector printing mechanism similar to SIGABA.
> Model 32 - well known
> Model 33 - well known
>    Initially there was no interest from either the Bell System or Western
>    Union in light-duty machines.  Teletype pushed ahead with development.
>    The Canadians brought in European Telex, and W.U. saw this as an
>    opportunity to connect with European Telex and compete with TWX, so
>    they very suddenly got interested in the Model 32.  A Model 28 had a
>    life of 10-12 years in 24/7 service, which meant that in typical TWX
>    service it had a life of over 50 years.
> Model 34 - Is this a Model 28 in Model 35's clothing?  Walt doesn't know.

> Model 35 - well known
> Model 36 -  Was this number saved for a 5-level version of Model 37?  Walt
>    doesn't know.
> Model 37 - fairly well known.  Aggregate motion printer produced in
>    stock ticker and page printer versions.
> Model 38 - fairly well known.  Up/low version of Model 33.
> Model 39 - Walt doesn't know.  Was after he retired.
> Model 40 - well known
> Model 41 - Walt doesn't know.  Was after he retired.
> Model 42 - Was this reserved for a 5-level version of Model 43?  Walt doesn't
>    know.
> Model 43 - well known dot matrix page printer.
> 
> Also - Teletype would make single copies of machines, or dummy machines,
>    to demonstrate concepts.  Walt mentioned that in particular they would
>    do this at the request of young Navy officers.  Old Navy officers already
>    had their careers made, but younger ones were trying to make names for
>    themselves and Teletype was happy to help them.
> 
> -- 
> 
> jhaynes at alumni dot uark dot edu
> 
> 
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