[GreenKeys] AP Model 15 longevity

[Sheldon Daitch]

I am sure some of the machines used by the AP had 50 years service.  Were
all the parts in use during the full 50 years?  Probably not, but 
consider some
of the parts simply don't wear, the frame, the case, I am sure were
from the "new" days of the equipment. 

Back when I worked for the AP, I was told the AP was having some parts
made for these machines, even as late at 1979, because there was enough
equipment out in the field to warrant the work.  Frnakly, I was amazed at
the thinking, especially since Extel had a nice printer the AP was 
installing,
if the subscriber paid for the machine.  I can only figure in the infinite
wisdom of accounting beaners, that they could justify paying for the parts,
as an operating expense, but buying the Extel printers was considered a
capital expense, and a different budgt category, and perhaps different
accounting rules.

What was the end of the M-15 production by Teletype?  I can't imagine
the AP bought out the final production run for the entire news service,
so there must have been serial number machines in the field from much
earlier Teletype production runs.





David I. Emery wrote:

>On Sun, Sep 23, 2007 at 07:22:15PM +0000, sdaitch at mor.ibb.gov wrote:
>
>  
>
>>The AP was using M-15 machines (and M-20s fpr that matter), at least
>>in North Carolina, into 1979.  I know, I worked on them. 
>>    
>>
>
>	Does anyone know how old those 15s and 20s were when they were
>finally retired ?
>	
>	I know the 15 went into production some time in the very late
>1920s or early 30s and the 20 was I think immediately post WW II (maybe
>1950).
>
>	Did some of those machines make 50 years of continuous service
>(with parts replaced of course) ?
>
>
>
>  
>