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IBM Selectric Typewriter & its digital to analogue converter

engineerguy · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Mechanical & precision engineeringHistory of computing

What it is

Bill Hammack of engineerguy uses slow motion video to show how the IBM Selectric typewriter works. He focuses on its fully mechanical digital-to-analog converter, which turns key presses into rotation of the type ball.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters recommend it whenever the Selectric comes up, as a short, excellent explanation of its internals.

  • 4 people recommended it
  • 5 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2016, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “I highly recommend watching”

    Fascinating look at how the Selectric works

    voxadam, 2023-04 · Strong recommendation · in “DIY IBM Selectric type balls give ’60s typewriters new life (and Comic Sans)”

  2. “You may enjoy Bill Hammack's video”

    Bill Hammack's explanation of the IBM Selectric

    dghughes, 2016-06 · Recommendation · in “Xerox Alto Restoration Part 2: Firing up the monitor [video]”

  3. “You might enjoy these.”

    Mechanical digital-to-analog conversion in the Selectric

    djmips, 2023-03 · Recommendation · in “Mechanical aircraft weight and balance computer using whippletrees”

  4. “excellent short video by Bill Hammack on the Selectric internals”

    Short look at Selectric internals

    golem14, 2023-06 · Recommendation · in “How to make your own Selectric Typeballs”

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

Topics: ibm selectric, typewriter, mechanical computing, whiffletree, digital-to-analog

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