1978 IBM Electronic Typewriter 50 #N/A

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Erik Bruchez (ebruchez)
Created: 08-14-2026 at 02:11PM
Last Edit: 08-14-2026 at 02:18PM

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Description:

First IBM Electronic Typewriter 50 on TWDB!

The motor turns, but the machine doesn't type.

This model is the first "electronic" typewriter made by IBM - except if you exclude all of the earlier electronic ones, of course, going back arguably to the 1964 MT/ST (which used some electronics and close 100 relays), but certainly if you include the Mag Card II family of machines (which all had an electronic board, known as "planar" in IBM parlance). These newer electronic machines, starting in 1978, had an actual microprocessor (or microcontroller) inside, unlike the earlier electronic machines, which had more discrete electronic components.

This instance was put in service on September 25, 1978, so during the first year of production.

These machines were not liked by IBM CEs, because unlike the Selectric, the mechanical parts tended to fail often.

Serial TBD.

See also my model 75:

https://typewriterdatabase.com/1980-ibm-electronic-typewriter-75.15451.typewriter

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Hunter: Erik Bruchez (ebruchez)

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Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 12846

I started collecting my first pre-WW2 standard typewriters in 2017. Since then I have added a few machines to my collection, which now ranges from the 1880s to the 1980s. As of 2024, I have more big standard (desktop) typewriters than portables, a few standard electrics, and some unusual machines like Varitypers, uncommon IBM machines, and more. I am not a pro restorer, but I have restored a few of my machines beyond simple cleaning.