In 1961 the IBM Selectric typewriter employed a typeball, which replaced the
typebar of the more conventional typewriter.
"It's gear-driven," he said, looking up after a few minutes--this gives the typebar momentum as it nears the paper--and it has a lever to increase or decrease the tension in the keys.
As I pressed down gingerly, the typebars rose from their beds and fell again when I withdrew.
A
typebar typewriter is one in which the typeface elements are permanently fastened into the machine.
The QWERTY arrangement of letters on the keyboard is not there for scientific principles associated with ergonomics after all; the letters are in that order to keep the
typebars from sticking.
In addition to his records, Sasser collects portable turntables, which he says "have really got some volume." A collection of vintage manual typewriters, with their circular keys and
typebars, fills a glass cabinet.
The keys are laid out on the board in a pattern that prevents the
typebars that fly up to meet the ribbon from getting caught up with nearby keys.