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Using a 1930 Teletype as a Linux Terminal

CuriousMarc · demo · Watch on YouTube

Demoscene & retrocomputingHistory of computingLinux & open-source ecosystems

What it is

CuriousMarc connects a restored 1930 Model 15 Teletype to a Linux machine and uses it as a terminal, after commenters requested it. The video shows the challenges of linking a 5-bit mechanical device to a modern OS.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters love it as a vivid demonstration of terminal history, explaining why tools like ed and the tty echo model work the way they do.

  • 4 people recommended it
  • 5 different months
  • 2 strong recommendations
  • first 2020, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “Perhaps my favorite video on YouTube is this glorious footage of someone hooking a 1930s teletype up to a computer running Linux”

    Shows a 1930s teletype driving Linux, explaining why ed works as it does.

    NateEag, 2020-07 · Strong recommendation · in “How Did Vim Become So Popular?”

  2. “A facinating video that is part of a series going into the restoration of a 1930 Model 15 Teletype.”

    Restored 1930 Model 15 Teletype used as a Linux terminal.

    sbuk, 2020-04 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: What are some great posts or articles about history of computing?”

  3. “If you haven't seen it before, you might enjoy this”

    A 1930 Teletype used as a Linux terminal.

    emdashcomma, 2021-02 · Recommendation · in “The VT-69 portable data terminal”

  4. “CuriousMarc has an amazing series on the Apollo Guidance Computer”

    CuriousMarc one-off showing a Linux terminal on a teletype.

    WaffleIronMaker, 2022-07 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: YouTube Channels for the Intellectually Curious”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: teletype, retro computing, unix history, terminals, restoration

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