THE VIDEO SHELF · mechanical engineering
IBM Selectric Typewriter & its digital to analogue converter
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 HN readers recommended it
HN commenters recommend it whenever the Selectric comes up, as a short, excellent explanation of its internals.
This is a summary from the source dataset, not an endorsement by Hacker News or the video creator.
Video & recommendation details
- Creator / channel
- engineerguy
- Topic
- mechanical engineering
- Format
- explainer
- Level
- general
- HN recommenders in dataset
- 4
- HN mentions in dataset
- 8
- Recommendation years in dataset
- 2016–2025
These counts and years describe the included Hacker News records; they are not YouTube views or the video’s publication date.
From the original HN conversations
Excerpts from the recorded comments. Follow each source for the full comment and surrounding discussion.
The Selectric is a fascinating machine. I highly recommend watching "IBM Selectric Typewriter & its digital to analogue converter"[0] by The Engineer Guy. [0] [VIDEO]
voxadam on Hacker News · 2023-04
In DIY IBM Selectric type balls give ’60s typewriters new life (and Comic Sans)You may enjoy Bill Hammack's video "IBM Selectric Typewriter & its digital to analogue converter" [VIDEO]
dghughes on Hacker News · 2016-06
In Xerox Alto Restoration Part 2: Firing up the monitor [video]You might enjoy these. IBM Selectric Typewriter & its digital to analogue converter [VIDEO] The Whiffletree: A mechanical digital-to-analog converter [LINK]
djmips on Hacker News · 2023-03
In Mechanical aircraft weight and balance computer using whippletrees
Summaries, classifications and recommendation records are from the HackerTube source dataset. Read about this library and its limitations.