Burroughs D8585 Keyboard - 4802-1115-501 Rev G

[HaaTa]

So this keyboard...it is technically the oldest computer keyboard I own. Circa ~1968, with switches from 1967.

It also took me multiple months to acquire the keyboard from the seller. He didn't want to split the keyboard from the monitor and power supply. But the story goes he had a body builder carry the power pack into his basement...

Anyways, behold this marvel of 1960's engineering.

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[REVENGE]

It's a key board.

[Muirium]

What better than a spaghetti keyboard for writing spaghetti code?

It's in reassuringly clean shape. I like those switches. They remember to say they're switches on the outside!

[pyrelink]

Hey those look exactly like the Micro Switch Reed Switches I have. Are the switches in the beige casing anything specifically different from the black cased ones?

[HaaTa]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they are the same as yours.

If you look at the full album, I did take apart various switches to see if there were any differences. The single grey/beige one just seemed older. The bottom piece did look different though, it had more holes. Inside, the switches were basically the same.

[lowpoly]

Why does the keyboard wrap around the table?

[Muirium]

Because low profile!

I'm not sure if this is what they were doing, but here's IBM's version of the idea:

Beamspring Desk

$_57-5.JPG (205.59 KiB) Viewed 6233 times

At least you never have to worry about keyboard slipping, or lost feet, or any adjustment whatsoever. Quit worrying and learn to love our Sci-Fi retro future!

[nourathar]

wow !

[quantalume]

Wow, imagine how many hours of labor went into making that keyboard. My sister used to work for Burroughs around that time frame, in Detroit, back when it was a functioning city.

[daedalus]

Because low profile!

I'm not sure if this is what they were doing, but here's IBM's version of the idea:!

Not sure what that Burroughs machine was for, but that contraption, the IBM 3741, was designed as a replacement for keypunch machines. It stored data onto 8" floppy disks, instead of on cards.

The thing I love the most about those things is that the CRT tube is mounted vertically inside the desk, and the "screen" on the desk is actually a mirror. That picture sort of demonstrates that phenomenon well. The System/32 had a similar design:

See here

[Muirium]

I guess they wanted your eyes straight ahead on whatever you were transcribing then? Because the ergonomics of that low, far off axis, screen are made of nightmares!

Edit: Having read your link, I'm flummoxed quite what this is:



But its position in front of the user suggests significance beyond that pokey little display.

[facetsesame]

The whole Burroughs terminal(?) setup looks like it belongs on a battleship or something. Just as well it fixes to the desk, I wouldn't want that dropping on my toes. Though admittedly I might not have the heft to do that accidentally.

The stark contrasting mono scheme with circular buttons makes me think of an unrelated but contemporary design by V & E Friedland...

As for the IBM 3741, it's a very nice dream. I have a feeling I'd end up with a stack of alternate keyboard modules! In a modern setting (I'm not advocating anything sacreligious here), the advantage of such a display set up would mean you could have a large display straight ahead and entirely indepdent, and the built in display could provide status messages, like a sort of (dare I say the word) annunciator. But that is not the world I live in.

[jacobolus]

On ebay: “IBM Mohawk Keypunch Keycard Keyboard Machine ??” http://www.ebay.com/itm/321593760515

[mr_a500]

Nice find. I'd love to have toggle switches, lights and a counter on a keyboard. It's a pity I don't like that Burroughs keycap shape.

[HaaTa]

The original ebay listing had the title: VTG BURROUGHS LOGIC UNIT MODL 08585

IIRC, the seller said that it was for Airplane reservation system. Makes sense if you look at the keycaps.

[facetsesame]

That style of keycap definitely reminds me of something!

[mr_a500]

I first saw this keycap style in an ad for surplus keyboards in the first BYTE magazine:

Byte1.jpg

(BYTE Sept. 1975)

[facetsesame]

If only we'd been there at the right time! Not sure I'd be up to wire wrapping up a Teensy clone though.

[mr_a500]

Anyways, behold this marvel of 1960's engineering.

I knew this terminal looked familiar. Here's a BYTE ad from June 1977:

Burroughs terminal.jpg

...and when I looked again at the terminal from The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), I noticed that the key colour scheme is similar. I know it's not the same terminal, but take a look at the line of white keys at the top of the keyboard:

crown.jpg

I always assumed the Thomas Crown terminal had Selectric style (normal sphericals), but maybe that's because the resolution is too low. I wish I could get a higher resolution shot of this.

[quantalume]

Weight 210 lbs (95 kilos)! Sometimes it's just as well that things aren't made like they used to be...

[mr_a500]

I finally managed to get a higher resolution image of this and it is indeed Burroughs (and Micro Switch), but not the rounded keycap black & white type.



So it looks like the companies using Micro Switch rounded keys and went "Selectric style" before 1970, except UNIVAC, which stuck with their distinctive shape until at least the mid-70's.