To all,
The Computer History Museum's IBM 1620 Jr. project has already done
this. We have converted an IBM Wheelwriter 1000 electric typewriter
into a computer terminal. The conversion consists of a custom PCB with
an Arduino Teensy 3.5 microcontroller which is physically installed in
the typewriter, electrically in-between the keyboard and typewriter
motherboard, with custom firmware.
The initial work was to create a robust substitute for the IBM 1620's
console typewriter. However, software changes are being completed this
month to extend it into a general-purpose, easily-adapted, ASCII
teleprinter.
We demoed the device as part of our VCF West display last August at
which we took 1st Place in Best of Show and 2nd Place in
Restorations/Replicas.
We will be making all of our design files, software, and documentation
available free to the classic computer community.
To whet your appetite, here's the step-by-step, illustrated guide for
the physical conversion of the typewriter:
https://github.com/IBM-1620/Junior/raw/master/docs/wheelwriter-adaptation-instructions.pdf
We'll be posting a formal announcement of this device within a few months.
This work has been done by Joe Fredrick, Steve Casner, and myself.
Thanks,
Dave
On 4/10/2019 9:24 AM, ED SHARPE via cctalk wrote:
I remember in '79 a KSR Diablo was the dream KSR printing terminal
and cost like 3 grand? Oh how we used to dream of having one of
these back then!
We do have one in the museum's collection... although have not attempted
to power up to use.
Ed#
In a message dated 4/10/2019 8:40:58 AM US Mountain Standard Time,
cctalk@classiccmp.org writes:
On 4/10/19 8:16 AM, Jon Elson via cctalk wrote:
On 04/10/2019 03:38 AM, GerardCJAT via cctalk wrote:
I would like to emulate a TTY, using a daisywheel typewriter.
Well, there are Qume and Diablo. Diablo was bought by Xerox, so some of
them carry that label.
Most of the stand-alone versions had serial (RS-232) ASCII interface.
I've given a couple of the Diablo KSRs (that's what the Hitypes with the
keyboard were known as). I didn't care for them much--no immediacy of
sound and keypress--the two seem unrelated.
Daisywheel printers are incredibly difficult to get rid of--nobody wants
to pay shipping. I got rid of the last one by throwing in a complete
system with it. Still have a NEC Spinwriter mouldering away.
--Chuck
