IBM typewriter printer-keyboards

IBM's second generation of keyboards

Contents

Background

The many typewriter-based keyboards IBM used as so-called "printer-keyboards" were their second generation of keyboards, technically introduced as early as 1958 but became available in numbers during the mid-1960s. With well-known examples such as the IBM 1052 I/O Printer-Keyboard and IBM 2740/2741 Communications Terminals, such keyboards were typically used in a configuration where typing on the keyboard inputs characters in a terminal console whilst also printing out characters and console output through the typewriter mechanism, giving them their "printer-keyboard" name. IBM also mixed in using IBM Card Punch keyboard assemblies for such keyboards, resulting in several types of printer-keyboard categorised by their combination of keyboard assembly and typing element used.

Types

IBM printer-keyboards are a broad family of keyboards that drew upon various keyboard assemblies and print technologies available at the time to construct a full unit from. IBM never published official distinctions on its printer-keyboard types other than describing the technologies that comprise a given printer-keyboard in sentences, thus four generalised types of printer-keyboards have been invented to quickly describe the technical composition of a given printer-keyboard.

Typewriter type, typewriter print

The typewriter-type, typewriter-print (TT) printer-keyboard is one that's essentially a modified typewriter with no alternative typing technologies introduced. They may or may not also closely resemble the original mass-market typewriter they're based on. For the most part, TTTP printer-keyboards are based on IBM Selectric typewriters and thus use the original Selectric keyboard and 'golfball' typing mechanism for operation. However, many such printer-keyboards are modified such that keyboard and printing can be separate operations. Before the release of IBM Selectric, IBM was known to use its typebar-era typewriters such as the IBMs Model A and B Electric Typewriters for printer-keyboard usage.

Bail keypunch type, typewriter print

The bail keypunch-type, typewriter-print (BKT) printer-keyboard is one that marries an IBM Card Punch keyboard assembly to a typewriter-sourced typing element. IBM Card Punch keyboards such as the IBM 024 and 029 series use a system of contact bails known as a Keyboard Permutation Unit for key-stroke sensing, which allows the keyboard assembly to be self-contained as its own discrete keyboard. This is then used to electrically signal a connected printer. In most cases, the printing component is based on the IBM Selectric typing mechanism.

Bail keypunch type, dot matrix print

The bail keypunch-type, dot matrix-print (BKDM) printer-keyboard is a version of the above BKT printer-keyboard that sports a purpose-built dot matrix printer instead of a typewriter printer. The sole known example is the IBM 3215 Console Printer-Keyboard, during which time no IBM typewriter used a similar dot matrix printing element. The system was known for being bulky but able to print much faster than an IBM Selectric printer.

Reed keypunch type, typewriter print

After the heyday of the printer-keyboard, IBM revisited a similar concept with its models 50, 60 and 75 IBM Electronic Typewriter that married a keypunch-style keyboard with magnetic reed switches for key-stroke sensing to an IBM Selectric typing element powered by solenoids. This is considered a reed keypunch-type, typewriter-print (RKT) system.

Keyboards

7150 Console Typewriter & Operating Keyboard (1958)

The IBM 7150 was a multi-purpose input/output component for the IBM 7070 Data Processing System family first introduced in 1958^[6][6]
Wikipedia - IBM 7070 [accessed 2022-09-16].. The 7150 (and its 7900 sibling seen below) was amongst the earliest known printer-keyboards and comprised of two separate input devices within one housing - the Console Typewriter and the Operating Keyboard. The Console Typewriter was used for various purposes including inputting and outputting data or displaying the contents of the system's instruction counter, program register or core-storage words, but it could also be used as a normal typewriter as needed. At the time, the current IBM Electric Typewriter series was the Model B and thus the likely donor for the keyboard assembly and type mechanism, albeit modified to output type in single-case only. The Operating Keyboard is the series of larger keys to the right of the Console Typewriter featuring status, control and operation keys^[7][7]
IBM - IBM 7070/7074 Principles of Operation (#GA22-7003-6) [accessed 2022-09-05]..

7900 Inquiry Station Typewriter Keyboard (1958)

The IBM 7900 was the querying input/output component for the IBM 7070 Data Processing System family first introduced in 1958^[6][6]
Wikipedia - IBM 7070 [accessed 2022-09-16].. The 7900 (and its 7150 sibling seen above) was amongst the earliest known printer-keyboards and was used for sending messages to a host 7070, which would then be processed by a stored program routine that would reply using the type mechanism. At the time, the current IBM Electric Typewriter series was the Model B and thus the likely donor for the keyboard assembly and type mechanism, albeit modified to output type in single-case only. Alongside the typewriter keyboard, the 7900 also sports several operating keys and lights^[5][5]
IBM - IBM 7070 Data Processing System Reference Manual (#A22-7003-1) [accessed 2022-09-05]..

1052 I/O Printer-Keyboard (1963)

More information: IBM 1052 I/O Printer-Keyboard

The IBM 1052 was the console component of the IBM 1050 Data Communications System from 1963. The IBM 1050 could send and receive data to and from another 1050 terminal or an IBM 1400, 7000 or System/360 series computer^[10][10]
Wikipedia - IBM 1050 [accessed 2021-07-09].. The printer-keyboard itself is a mating of a Selectric printer and an IBM 024/026 Card Punch keyboard assembly. The connection between the printer and keyboard is facilitated by a console control unit, which also allows both components to operate independently^[9][9]
IBM - IBM Field Engineering 1052 Adapter and 2150 Console Theory of Operation (#SY22-2909-2) [accessed 2022-09-05].. 1052 was available in various configurations with differing amounts of 1x4 keys beside the alphanumeric keyboard and toggle switches on the upper front-facing panel. The variants could be lettered or numbered such as the 1052a, 1052-3, 1052-5, 1052-6, 1052-7 and 1052-8.

1816 Printer-Keyboard (1964)

More information: IBM 1816 Printer-Keyboard

The IBM 1816 was the printer-keyboard component for the IBM 1800 Data Acquisition and Control System introduced in 1964. It seems to be essentially the same as 1052, making it a likely keypunch-Selectric keyboard. Known uses of the IBM 1800 at large include Buick, CERN, Ford, NASA and the United States Air Force^[12][12]
Engineering and Technology History Wiki - IBM 1800 [accessed 2021-09-16]..

1130 Computing System Console Keyboard (1965)

More information: IBM 1130 Computing System Console Keyboard

The IBM 1130 Computing System was a low-cost computer intended for price-sensitive and computing-intensive technical markets like education and engineering. It was announced in February 1965^[13][13]
IBM - DPD chronology - 1965 [accessed 2022-09-05]. and comes in the form of a desk-like setup containing an IBM 1131 Central Processing Unit, an IBM 029 Card Punch based keyboard and a Selectric-based IBM 1053 Console Printer. The console keyboard was used for entering data and instructions into the system's core storage^[14][14]
The National Museum of Computing - IBM 1130 History [accessed 2022-09-06]..

2740 Communications Terminal (1965)

More information: IBM 2740 & 2741 Communications Terminal

The IBM 2740 was a Selectric typewriter based printer-keyboard released in July 1965 alongside the IBM 2741^[13][13]
IBM - DPD chronology - 1965 [accessed 2022-09-05].. Both the 2740 and 2741 feature an IBM 72 I/O Typewriter using then-end Solid Logic Technology (SLT) circuitry and the ability to be used as a standard typewriter as needed^[17][17]
IBM - IBM 2740 & 2741 Communications Terminal field engineering announcement (#229-9501-0) [accessed 2022-09-05].. The IBM 2740 could communicate with other terminals or a computer such as an IBM System/360, requiring a common-carrier data set or IBM modem line adapter. The IBM 2740 was available in two models; Model 1 (2740-1) and Model 2 (2740-2). 2740-2 is a buffered version of 2740-1 that can store up to 120 characters and print them for verification before transmission. The IBM 2740 was intended for applications such as payment entry, journal entries, inquiries, administrative messages, file updating and renewals^[16][16]
IBM - IBM 2740 Model 1, 2740 Model 2 & 2741 Communications Terminal Theory of Operation (#SY27-0013-4) [accessed 2022-09-16].. Visually speaking, 2740-1 and 2740-2 also differed with their non-typewriter keys, which for 2740-1 were small and circular but were rectangular for 2740-2.

2741 Communications Terminal (1965)

More information: IBM 2740 & 2741 Communications Terminal

The IBM 2741 was a Selectric typewriter based printer-keyboard released in July 1965 alongside the IBM 2740^[13][13]
IBM - DPD chronology - 1965 [accessed 2022-09-05].. Both the 2740 and 2741 feature an IBM 72 I/O Typewriter using then-end Solid Logic Technology (SLT) circuitry and the ability to be used as a standard typewriter as needed^[17][17]
IBM - IBM 2740 & 2741 Communications Terminal field engineering announcement (#229-9501-0) [accessed 2022-09-05].. Unlike 2740 which could communicate with both other terminals and a computer, 2741 is limited to just communicating with a computer such as an IBM System/360. In fact, its operations are controlled by host computer programming. The IBM 2741 thus lacks a few keys that 2740 has and even uses a different typing element. 2741 was primarily intended for use in the IBM Administrative Terminal System (ATS)^[16][16]
IBM - IBM 2740 Model 1, 2740 Model 2 & 2741 Communications Terminal Theory of Operation (#SY27-0013-4) [accessed 2022-09-16]..

2152 Printer-Keyboard (1968)

The IBM 2152 was a printer-keyboard released for the IBM System/360 Model 20 in October 1968^[19][19]
IBM - IBM World Trade Data Processing Programming Announcement P68 [accessed 2022-09-05].. It is a Selectric-based printer-keyboard mounted onto a table that is cable connected to a System/360 Model 20 CPU and is mainly used as an inquiry station^[20][20]
IBM - IBM System/360 Model 20 Functional Characteristics (#A26-5847-5) [accessed 2022-09-26].. From 1972, it was also available as an optional component of the IBM 2922 Programmable Terminal, an RPQ of the IBM System/360 Model 20^[21][21]
IBM - IBM 2922 Programmable Terminal RPQ 810563, 810564, and 810565 Component Description (#GL24-3597-1) [accessed 2022-09-05]..

5471 Printer-Keyboard (1969)

The IBM 5471 is a printer-keyboard available for IBM System/3 computers with an IBM 5444 Disk Storage Drive attached. It was available at the IBM System/3's launch in July 1969^[23][23]
IBM - IBM System/3 [accessed 2022-09-26].. It was designed to perform online inquiries, key entry of data, operator/system communications and operate as a secondary printer. The keyboard and printer components can operate independently of each other under program control^[22][22]
IBM - IBM System/3 field engineering announcement [accessed 2022-09-05].. Visually, it resembles an IBM 2741-2 Communications Terminal lacking some keys.

3210 Console Printer-Keyboard (1970)

More information: IBM 3210 & 3215 Console Printer-Keyboard

The IBM 3210 was the first of two related console printer-keyboard designs introduced for the IBM System/370 in 1970, alongside the IBM 3215 below. It was used as an auxiliary I/O terminal that provided two-way communication between an operator and an attached data processing system via keyboard entry and the integrated printer. Out of the two, the 3210 mates a keypunch-based keyboard assembly with a then-new Selectric I/O-II printer. It could come in two models that differ in mount and capability. Model 1 is table-mounted and is attached directly to a system CPU with the ability to alter or display data in storage. Model 2 is mounted on its own pedestal and is attached to a CPU via an external signal cable, requiring its own AC power cable and has no alter/display capability^[24][24]
IBM - IBM 3210 Console Printer-Keyboard Component Description (#GA24-3552-1) [accessed 2022-09-05]..

3215 Console Printer-Keyboard (1971)

More information: IBM 3210 & 3215 Console Printer-Keyboard

The IBM 3215 was the second of two related console printer-keyboard designs introduced for the IBM System/370 in 1971, alongside the IBM 3210 above. It was used as an auxiliary I/O terminal that provides two-way communication between an operator and an attached data processing system via keyboard entry and the integrated printer. Out of the two, the 3215 mates a keypunch-based keyboard assembly with a unique 7x7 dot matrix printing element. This allows for a printing rate of 85 characters per second under program control^[3][3]
IBM - IBM 3215 Console Printer-Keyboard Component Description (#GA24-3550-1) [accessed 2022-09-04]., versus 15.5 characters per second for the Selectric I/O-II based 3210^[24][24]
IBM - IBM 3210 Console Printer-Keyboard Component Description (#GA24-3552-1) [accessed 2022-09-05].. The 3215 only came in one model unlike the 3210, a pedestal mounted and directly attached console like 3210 Model 1.

3793 Printer-Keyboard (1974)

The IBM 3793 is a Selectric I/O II^[26][26]
IBM - IBM 3790 Communications System Brochure (#G229-7023-0) [accessed 2022-09-05]. printer-keyboard for the IBM 3790 Communications System of which four such keyboards could be attached to via the IBM 3792 Auxiliary Control Unit^[27][27]
Wikipedia - IBM 3790 [accessed 2022-09-05].. The 3793 was a data entry operator station that also included various control keys, operator guidance indicators and system indicators. The keyboard also included a 10-key arrangement of dual-function keys that could be used for entering numbers as well^[25][25]
IBM - IBM Input/Output Device Summary [accessed 2022-09-16]..

Electronic Typewriter Models 50, 60 and 75 (1978)

The first series of IBM Electronic Typewriters (models 50, 60 and 75) was released in 1978^[29][29]
IBM - IBM typewriter milestones [accessed 2002-09-26]. as IBM's first typewriter that was electronic rather than electromechanical - ie, able to perform some amount of internal processing via electronics than rely on mechanical elements. This allowed for features not unlike those found on word processors such as automatic error correction, text underscoring and text centring. They used an electrically-separable keyboard connected to a low-power computer that would use solenoids to drive the Selectric-style print mechanism, contrasting the IBM Selectric's use of mechanical encoding to drive the print mechanism and making the typewriter very similar in setup to a printer-keyboard. The keyboard assembly seems inspired by IBM Card Punch keyboards but uses a series of magnetic reed sensors for key-stroke sensing. The Electronic Typewriter series would ultimately be an intermediary between the IBM Selectric and the Model M-based IBM Wheelwriter typewriter families, but not before these models were replaced by the IBM Electronic Typewriter models 65, 85 and 95 in 1982 that used Model F-based keyboard assemblies instead.

Sources

ASK. Admiral Shark's Keyboards original content. License/note: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

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