The application of various emerging information technologies in the development of office equipment through the second half of the 20th century brought about dramatic changes in office culture and the organisation of office labour. This small collection of office equipment demonstrates part of the story of 'word processing', which saw the disappearance of the typist and the domination of computers as word processors by the mid 1980s.

These IBM recording and transcription machines demonstrate the efforts of IBM's office products division (formerly its typewriter division) to develop start to end technologies and processes that dealt with the creation, distribution and printing of documents (word processing) on a par with the methods and resources employed by IBM's data division. The vision of such companies was that word processing would become removed and centralised from other office activities. However by the 1980s a very different story unfolded as the availability of inexpensive word processing programs and systems saw the return of typing and editing work to the office.

From a chronological perspective in regard to existing collection material, this IBM equipment is a link between the older Selectric typewriters and the earliest word processing software packages such as WordStar for the Osborne or large dedicated word processing systems such as the Xerox 6085 Professional Computer System of 1985.

(ref: Vol. 28 # 4 of the IEEE Annals)

Campbell Bickerstaff
April 2008

The office equipment was made by IBM in the United States of America between 1963 and 1968.

The word processing system was introduced around 1963 and was used in Australia until (to the best of the donor's recollection) the early- to mid-1970s. During that period, IBM was manufacturing and marketing a range of equipment for word processing - electric typewriters (the famous 'Selectric' ball machine) and some typesetting machines that could be used in small newspaper or publishing houses - these also used the 'ball' technology. Since IBM was also making magnetic tape for the tape drives used in early computers before disks became commonplace, it seemed like a good idea to marry this capability to the word processing arena, hence the introduction of the dictating equipment range. It also ensured that the start-to-end of the word processing process was all on IBM equipment.

Other manufacturers were becoming more active in also developing a start-to-end product range, which may also have driven IBM to introduce these products.

The donor acquired them when the process that used them was superseded by an in-house system linked to the internal telephone system and they were destined for the scrap bin.

Office equipment (4), IBM recording and transcription machines, metal / plastics / electronic components, designed and made by IBM, United States of America, 1963-1968

The word processing system consists of recording machines and transcribers. The recording machines are equipped with an index sheet that can be marked by buttons to indicate the end of a letter or if explanatory remarks were included (such as the description of an attachment required for a letter). The belt and the index sheet were then sent to the person who was to type the document, using the belt and the index sheet on a transcribing machine.

The recording machine came in two sizes - portable and desktop. This acquisition includes two types of portable recorders. An original portable or 'transportable' and two smaller machines which superseded it. A microphone was attached by a separate cable. The portable machine could also be used as a transcriber by using the foot pedal for stop, start and rewind.

The small cream machine includes a leather cover and carry strap which doubles as the grip to hold the machine while the user dictates. This machine was superseded by the black machine - with carry handle integral to the outer case. Both machines were driven by a unique battery - its positive and negative terminals were on the opposing ends of the battery. Both these machines have inbuilt microphones. They were not fitted with transcribing facilities.

The largest machine is the desk model, mainly used by executive staff. It is powered by normal 240 volt supply.

The principle was to use a wide loop of magnetic tape, termed a belt. The belt was moved longitudinally, and was 'written' on by a small recording head that moved laterally and gradually across the belt.

The small portable machines are 15 cm wide, 12 cm long and 4.5 cm deep. The corresponding measurements for the desktop machine are 29 x 24 x 7.

There are two sizes of magnetic recording belt. The early models used a 4 inch belt, whereas the later models used 3 inch belts. The tapes are used across the machines.

Pieces of cardboard - They were used when the belts were sent to the secretary or typing pool (or were posted) to protect the belt from creasing or any other damage. They also had a slot for the index strip that was created during dictation that carried the indication to the transcribing person where an individual letter or report finished and where there may have been some instructions to that person on, for example, attachments that needed to be included with the finished letter or report.

Made: International Business Machines Corporation (IBM); United States of America; 1963 - 1968

2008/131/1

1963 - 1968