[GreenKeys] Fwd: Looking for an IBM 2741 or similar

[Jim Haynes]

It's somewhat ironic that Teletype decided after the Model 12 that making
a printer with typewriter parts was a bad idea.  Though Western Union
repeated the adventure in the 1930s with their 100-series models.

The IBM selectric seems like a natural for adaptation to a code-driven
printer, since it already depends on binary tilt and rotate mechanisms.
But I'm told there were about three different mechanical grades of that
mechanism, depending on reliability requirements, and the 2740/2741
I guess lean toward the light-duty end of the scale.  While the one used
as a console device on the Series/360 computers is perhaps one of the
more rugged models.  G.E. also used Selectric-based machines as console
devices, and were not too happy with them.  Burroughs for the B-5500 
started out with I think a Smith-Corona electric typewriter, and then
switched to a Teletype 33.  The earlier Burroughs 220 had used a Model 28
printer, but without keyboard, for the console.  Some Univac computers
used Model 35 printers as consoles, but with their own electronic
keyboards.  I don't know much about the rest of the computer industry -
some used Friden Flexowriters, which were based on an earlier IBM
electric typewriter design.  Minicomputers took great advantage of
the Teletype 33 - no where else could you get a keyboard, printer, tape
punch and reader for about $1000.  I don't know if Burroughs regretted
using the 33 - presumably it was cheap enough that they could keep a spare
machine at their service office and just swap it out in case of trouble.

In any event, the 2741 was a completely different category of machine,
being of typewriter quality up/low case printing.  In fact there was a
switch that would turn it into a plain typewriter, so you didn't waste
space in the office with a machine that could only be used as a 
teleprinter.  And usable with single sheets of paper as well as roll 
paper.  The Selectric line could be switched between sprocket and
friction feed just by snapping one platen out and putting the other in.
And they were not limited to 8 1/2" wide forms.  So it was natural as
a word-processing machine, while the Teletype was a communication
machine.