[GreenKeys] TTY Ribbons

[k0bx at arrl.net]

When I was a Navy Radioman 1966-1970 we used hectoroll paper in our model 28's.  
The incoming messages were torn off and we either typed or wrote the routing 
instructions on it.  Then we put it on the hectographs and made the number of 
copies we needed.

That was the way it was until I got out.

Joe K0BX
on rtty since 1975, 

 Stop the insanity!
Please do not add me to any distribution lists (Joke, Stories or Junk) without 
my permission.




________________________________
From: Doug Alderdice <ka2wft at arrl.net>
To: GreenKeys at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Wed, August 10, 2011 8:54:59 AM
Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] TTY Ribbons

Ah, yes, the hectographs aka "Ditto" machines.  I believe Ditto was the 
trademark for one of the manufacturers, AB Dick, maybe.  They were a staple 
in schools and small offices for a long time.  When I started teaching 25 
yrs ago my district still had a lot of those machines in service and I even 
bought a case of pin-fed Ditto masters to be used in dot matrix (and other 
impact) printers ... cutting edge technology, hi hi.  I even bought my own 
(used) machine since access to the school's machines could be difficult at 
test or exam time.  I still have the machine, it's squirreled away in a 
storeroom at school.

Randy's description of the transfer process is spot-on, with the exception 
that it was the *paper* that passed over the wick and was slightly 
moistened by the alcohol and then was pressed against the master and the 
image transferred.  If the master passed against the wick, it would have 
smeared the you-know-what out of the master image and rendered it useless.

And yes, the smell was unmistakable.  When you'd pass out fresh Dittos in 
class there'd be kids who'd immediately upon receipt of their copy put the 
paper up to their faces and sniff deeply.

73,

Doug, KA2WFT


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