Teletypes
A teletype, as its name implies, is the result of merging a typewriter with the telegraph. Rather than relying on the skills of an operator to communicate over a telegraph circuit, the teletype connects a keyboard to a remote printing mechanisms over the very same type of telegraph circuit. This allows anyone that can operate a typewriter to communicate telegraphically over long distances. The part that I find fascinating about these machines is that they do all of this mechanically; the only electrical components are a set of contacts on the transmitting end, and a electromagnet on the receiving end.
The conversion of a serial bitstream into characters printed on a page is achieved by a chain of ingenious mechanisms that must operate quickly and accurately thousands of times in the course of printing a page of text.
Teletype Model 28 KSR
With the help of George Hutchison, I bought a 28 KSR from a fella in Tacoma, Washington. He had it sitting on his patio for a few years wrapped in a tarp, but the machine is still in fairly good condition. George picked the machine up and stored at his place in Sequim for 3 months until I could go and pick it up. The machine represents an early design of the model 28. It is shown here with the bakelite keyboard housing removed.
![](teletypes-28ksr.jpg)
Teletype Model 28 KSR
While picking up my 28 KSR at George's place, he mentioned that he might have some other goodies for me. Those other goodies included a 28 RO in better shape than the KSR. When I arrived home with the machines, the 28 RO was the first one I powered up, and it functions perfectly fine.
![](teletypes-28ro.jpg)
Teletype Model 28 Movies
These are videos of the RO copying ITTY.
TTYoIP
I'm working on a project that will create a 'cost effective' ethernet interface for teletypes, without the need of a computer to facilitate the connection.