Moon Astonishment: The Unveiling of the Selectric
In the mid-20th century, the IBM Selectric typewriter revolutionized the world of typing, with its innovative replaceable element design. However, its high price tag of over $1,000, equivalent to a nice car for most people at the time, was a significant barrier.
Enter Thomas O'Reilly, a typewriter salesman who envisioned a more affordable IBM Selectric clone. His vision was realized by Juki, a sewing machine and printer company, who produced a clone of the IBM Selectric. Unlike other typewriters using typeballs, Juki's model was compatible with IBM typeballs.
The mechanical operation of the Juki clone Selectric typewriter is similar to the IBM original. A spherical typeball rotates and tilts to select characters, then strikes paper. However, there's a catch when it comes to computer control.
While it's possible to print with a Juki clone Selectric typeball via computer, it's not a straightforward process. Controlling the ball position and print action by computer is possible only through custom hardware to drive the mechanical parts. This requires detailed knowledge of the mechanism and building electronic/motion-control interfaces.
The Hackaday community has experimented with recreating Selectric typeball mechanisms for computer control, but examples remain niche and mostly experimental, rather than turnkey computer-driven printers. There's no indication that Juki clone typeballs come with built-in digital control capabilities; any computer-controlled printing would thus be a custom retrofit project.
Despite the challenges, the Juki clone Selectric typewriter offers an intriguing retro hacking project for enthusiasts. If you're up for the challenge, you might find Juki ribbons on eBay and similar sites.
Interestingly, Juki later produced a Xerox-compatible daisywheel printer, again at a significantly lower cost compared to the original. The Juki typewriter manual was a replica of the IBM Selectric manual, and the Juki typewriter was narrower than most Selectrics, making it easier to carry up stairs, although carrying a Selectric up stairs might still be considered a challenge.
However, it's worth noting that the Juki typewriter in a video demonstration did not work properly. Additionally, the Juki ribbons have correction tape built in, which could be a convenient feature for typists.
In conclusion, while Juki clone Selectric typewriters offer a unique retro typing experience, directly controlling them for computer printing requires extensive modification and engineering. For those willing to take on the challenge, however, it presents an exciting opportunity for hackers and makers.
1.串行电脑连接是可能的，但杰口克隆选 lets打字機需要定制的硬件来控制机械部件，这需要深入了解机制并构建电子/运动控制接口。
2.出于兴趣，你可能会在eBay和类似的站点上找到杰口克隆选 lets打字機的纱端，建议购买多一些作为备件。
