IBM Selectric Operating Instructions

Platen
Knobs
The
left
and
right
Platen
Knobs
enable
you
to
rotate
the
platen
manually
in
order
to
insert
paper
or
to
change
the
position
of
the
page
vertically.
Platen
Variable
Variable
platen
action
is
achieved
by
pressing
in
against
the
left
Platen
Knob—providing
free-rolling
of
the
platen
in
either
direction.
This
enables
you
to
permanently
change
the
position
of
the
writing
line
and
aids
when
reinserting a
page
for
corrections
or
additions.
-
Before
setting
the
Page-End
Indicator,
align
the
top
edge
of
the
paper
with
the
writing
line
on
the
Clear
View
Card
Holder.
-
Rotate
the
Indicator
until
the
2
position
(the
setting
for
standard—size
paper)
is
in
line
with
the
horizontal
mark
on
the
top
of
the
typewriter
adjacent
to
the
right
Platen
Knob.
When
using
other
than
11”
paper,
add
one
inch
to
the
Indicator
setting
of
two
(2)
for
each
inch
longer
than
11”.
For
each
inch
shorter
than
11”
subtract
one
inch
from
the
Indicator
setting
for
standard-size
paper.
Note:
Remember
that
there
is
only
a
half
inch
of
space
between
0
and
the
number
4
on
the
Page-End
Indicator. Therefore,
when
you
add
1
to
the
number
4
the
setting
will
be
1/2.
The
setting
you
arrive
at
when
you
add
1
to
31/22
will
be
zero.
Page-End
Indicator
The
Page-End
Indicator
rotates
in
descending
numerical
order
(4,
3,
2,
1,
0)
as
you
type.
It
is
calibrated
in
half
inches.
One
complete
revolution
of
the
platen
equals
41/2”.
Two
revolutions
equal
9”.
Since
standard—size
paper
is
11”
long
you
must
add
2”
to
the
9”,
represented
by
the
two
revolutions
of
the
platen,
to
equal
11”.
Therefore,
when
using
standard
paper,
set
the
Indicator
on
2.
When
you
reach
zero
for
the
second
time
you
will
be
41/2"
from
the
bottom
of
the
page.
From
that
point
on
the
Indicator
will
show
the
number
of
inches to
the
bottom
of
the
page.

IBM Selectric Specifications

General

Type	Electric typewriter
Introduced	1961
Keyboard Layout	QWERTY
Carriage Return	Electric
Manufacturer	IBM
Printing Technology	Typeball (golf ball)
Power Source	AC Power
Power Supply	120V AC