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Object Timeline

1973

  • Work on this object began.

2017

2018

2024

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Correcting Selectric II, model 895 Typewriter And Typing Elements

This is a Typewriter and Typing Elements. It was designed by Eliot Noyes and manufactured by International Business Machines Corp. (IBM). It is dated 1973 and we acquired it in 2017. Its medium is aluminum, steel, molded plastic. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

IBM’s Selectric typewriter revolutionized typing technology by improving the speed and flexibility of business and personal writing. Instead of the "basket" of individual type-bars that swung up to strike the ribbon and page in a traditional typewriter, the IBM Selectric had a circular device, covered with typographical characters, that pivoted to the correct position before striking. A modified version of the Selectric was incorporated into one of the first computer terminals, serving as the keyboard for the IBM System/360 computer in the 1960s.

This object was donated by Robert Greenberg. It is credited Gift of Robert M. Greenberg.

  • Praxis 48 Typewriter
  • plastic and metal housing.
  • Gift of Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor.
  • 1986-99-2-a,b
  •

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Its dimensions are

H x W x D (typewriter): 18 × 51 × 38 cm (7 1/16 × 20 1/16 × 14 15/16 in.) H x diam. (typing ball: each): 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.) H x W x D (typing ball in box): 4 × 4 × 4 cm (1 9/16 × 1 9/16 × 1 9/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Correcting Selectric II, model 895 Typewriter And Typing Elements; Designed by Eliot Noyes (American, 1910 - 1977); Manufactured by International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) (United States); aluminum, steel, molded plastic; H x W x D (typewriter): 18 × 51 × 38 cm (7 1/16 × 20 1/16 × 14 15/16 in.) H x diam. (typing ball: each): 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.) H x W x D (typing ball in box): 4 × 4 × 4 cm (1 9/16 × 1 9/16 × 1 9/16 in.); Gift of Robert M. Greenberg; 2017-51-18-a/h

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Bob Greenberg Selects.

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<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/1141960829/ |title=Correcting Selectric II, model 895 Typewriter And Typing Elements |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=20 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>