[GreenKeys] Teletype Models

Mon, 24 Feb 2003 09:52:52 EST

Don,

I suspect my vague recollection that the M26 is older than the M14/15/19 may 
have come from the fact that the M15 is a much better built machine - i.e., 
urban legend.  The date on the M26 Parts Manual that I sent you in November 
was 1945 which would agree with your dating below.  

The only M26 I ever saw running belonged to a friend in Shreveport who had it 
running with a T-47/ART-13.  That would have been around 1966/7 I think.

In a message dated 2/24/2003 3:06:26 AM Central Standard Time, 
[email protected] writes: 
> 
> 
> The Model 26 is still a bit of a mystery.  As far as I can figure, it 
> was built specifically for start-up manual teletypewriter exchange 
> service (TWX) customers.   The Bell System was trying to grow the TWX 
> network and wanted an inexpensive machine.  The internal design goes 
> back to pre-model 15 using a cylinder for the type and moving the 
> platen instead of the carriage.  Apparently the machine used less 
> parts than a 15 and was less expensive to purchase; but when ever a 
> part needed to be replaced it required a major disassembly procedure. 
> The rising cost to maintain the machines caused the Bell System to 
> change their minds and go back to installing M15s and M19s until the 
> Model 28 was introduced.
> 
> Manual TWX service started in 1935 with the Model 14 strip printer. 
> By 1939 the M15 was the favorite for TWX.  If my data is correct the 
> Model 26 came into favor about 1947 and most were taken out of 
> service by 1953.  Because the machine is relatively compact the 
> military showed some interest but maintenance issues and paper 
> handling issues killed it there also.  The only reason the 26 is 
> around today is because so many were released to HAM radio operators.

73
Robert Downs
Houston
<[email protected]>

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