[GreenKeys] Happened to find these on line... a question

Thu May 25 01:52:22 EDT 2017

I like your theories to explain the existence of the mysterious teletype
table bulb. My wife particularly likes the spider repulsion aspect as she
does not do well with arachnids about. She already feels better about
having my teletypes down in that basement with your theory.

While I certainly don't know for sure the purpose myself, I recently came
into possession of a Teletype Corp. branded table for a Model 19. It, too,
had a bulb (60 watt incandescent, to be precise, probably screwed into its
socket some 40 years ago when the previous owner last used the machines).
Under the bulb was labeled "DC BALLAST LAMP". This has led me to believe it
may be acting, alone or in series with other components, as a current
limiter for the DC current loop that's built in to the table and/or for the
DC outlets also built into the table.

Someone who lived and breathed these machines for decades can confirm or
tell me I'm out in left field, wandering like a shuffling, lost mental
patient in a hospital gown and unkempt hair.

--Jordan

On Wed, May 24, 2017 at 9:30 PM, Mark Hall <ke5lib001 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Gentlemen,
>
> I have a small supply of aforementioned ribbons from said Seller. The
> metal reels lend a nice authentic touch to any Teletype and after gingerly
> moistening
> one ribbon with a light application of WD-40 I obtained reasonably clear
> copy. I did let the ribbon absorb the spray and dry somewhat overnight. The
> topic of
> re-inking, which to some represents one of the most odious of tasks, is
> interesting to me. I would welcome hearing from others of greater
> experiences and
> wisdom who have done their own re-inking.
>
> With the advent of the Cybermarket, it is possible to find some of the
> most esoteric of things, shoes and ships and sealing wax, cabbages and
> strings! I mean
> kings...
>
> Sure. Ribbons are easily obtained, in a plethora of eye-captivating colors
> (including hot pink). But, there is a charm to learning an obscure skill
> prior to an
> Apocalyptic/SHTF event or era. Then when tanks and zombies are trundling
> through the streets, I will be all cosy in my bunker practising my
> marketable arts
> of re-inking, distillery and zymurgy. Then, as the sunlight deems us the
> safety to venture out of our lairs to commingle and commarket for staples,
> I will ply for
> my needs by offering things readily desired by most, to wit consumable
> medicinal alcohol, adult malt based beverages, and lovingly hand-re-inked
> Teletype
> ribbons. I will even offer a deposit on returned reels. In this way
> business is repeated with joy. Harmony and good will among men shall
> abound. And cough syrup
> will be of the most efficacious admixture.
>
> OK. My question:
>
> In the pic of the 15 KSR for RTTY there is a socket with a light bulb
> under the table top of the 15 KSR's table. I have also posed this question
> to Seller of same
> device: "What is this for?" At present I can only surmise two utilities
> for such an implementation:
>
> #1 Repulsion of Teletype spiders.
>
> The light bulb (most effective if 100 watt incandescent variety) would be
> sufficient to ward of the deadly poisonous Teletypicus Urticarious spider
> which afflicts its
> victim in the most specious manner, attacking the nervous system with
> neurotoxins in its bite, causing the hapless victim to collect all things
> Teletype and
> live after the Baudot or ASCII manner, with all compliance. This is
> similar to, and considered a variant of the "zombie" state, without the
> culinary desire for fresh
> brains. Instead old lubricant saturated felts and crusty insulation are
> relished as delicacies and the aroma of Teletype oil is almost aphrodisiac
> in effect.
>
> #2 Knee warmer
>
> In a Godforsaken, damned cold environment where the ham/RTTY operator
> finds himself exiled, from warmth, companionship and loving family- such as
> attic or
> basement, the knee warmer light is a godsend for those with achy lower
> extremities. The warmth keeps the joints ready to allow vertical
> re-disposition and ambulation
> of the person to interrupt fights amongst unruly children, hauling garbage
> for the beloved or merely fetching another beer from the 'fridge. #1 still
> applies with this,
> because Teletype and basement toilet spiders adore lonely cold places too.
>
> OK. It's time for me to open that "Bedtime" compartment on my pill
> organizer. I bid all of the peace and sleep this even.
>
> 73!
>
> Mark
>
> i-Telex # 74047
>
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