The seller's brother worked for Xerox in Mountain View, Ca, and was able to take pretty much anything he wanted when their offices closed there. He was apparently familiar with PARC as well.
hi-res, but not as bad as my pictures.
Amazing to see this thing looking as if it was made just yesterday. Has that fresh and likely not too healthy electronics scent.
Early model 6085 keyboards seemed to have black dyesub lettering
While later models and the DocuTechs have this purplish red color
This one seems to have been made around when the 6085 was originally released. Good date.
Also, it's rare to see the original keyboard feet on any of these, as they're very delicate and usually turn orange and become reduced to goop with exposure and age.
Mouse and cable were both detachable in early models. This was seemingly removed by around 1988 if not sooner.
Early models were also made in Japan, then production moved to the USA, then finally to Mexico with the DocuTechs that were made in the mid-late '90s.
Curiously, the mice the seller had were all made in Mexico. Maybe some of the production was concurrent.
Very fresh Alps SKCM Brown switches
Cable with date identifier
Connector for removable cable
Overall, definitely something I'm happy to have. The box isn't in 100% mint condition, but it is in decent condition, and its state is understandable after all these years. Definitely something you don't see every day.
Not sure what I'm going to end up doing with all my Xerox keyboards.
