Unless my eyes deceive me, the “new office product” on the desk in this press photo, taken on the premises of Professional Office Products, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, circa the 9th of July 1983, is a TEC TW-1000 electronic typewriter:
Until now I’d been unable to put a year of release to the one in my collection. 1983.
The same TEC typewriter is, I think, advertised here as a “Pacific 1000” in The Age, Melbourne, in May 1987:
“Pacific” probably on account of a sticker on the front of the typewriter, as is the case with this “Pacific 2000” (TEC TW-1100):
Less aesthetically pleasing than my TEC TW-1000 is this function-rich TEC TW-1450:
Unfortunately, this one’s missing its platen knob.
The TW-1450 was introduced in March 1987: indeed, a written note on the inside of the instruction guide tells me this typewriter was purchased new on the 29th of September that year, for $749 AUD.
A new ribbon was last installed in this machine in November 1991, since when this typewriter has remained unused, unloved, and put into storage, until the previous owner put it up for sale last month.
With a top speed of 12 cps, the TEC TW-1450 is not the fastest, nor the most attractive, compact electronic typewriter out there; the build quality, however, is excellent.
The TW-1450 manufacturer badge states “Made in Japan”:
The TW-1000 serial number has an “S” prefix which indicates it was made in Singapore:
The 98-page instruction guide is in good condition, apart from a damp affected and cello-taped cover page, and serves as a reminder that something important is missing.
While I can still turn the platen to manually feed paper into the typewriter, I can’t press (an absent button) to adjust the paper to any line position.
TEC compact electronic typewriters take an Olivetti Praxis 35 compatible ribbon, of which I have plenty. Two more came with the typewriter, along with a Courier 10 print wheel and six spares (Tile Italic 10 12, Cubic 10 12, Orator 10, Prestige Elite 12, and two Script 12 wheels).
The TW-1000, which came to me with a single Letter Gothic 12 wheel, now has a few more options.
If I just had time to actually use ’em …
4 responses to “TEC: Two to Tango”
Correction: “Saisho TP200”
Hi Joe, I haven’t, no. I made a conscious decision to focus on daisy wheel typewriters, although I’d be interested to read such an overview myself. Yourself or Ted might be enthusiastic enough to write one – It seems like the major manufacturers were Brother, Canon, Casio, Epson and Sharp. I believe Panasonic had a few RK-P series penwriters or graphic plotters similar to Brother’s – also a KX-W60TH “Thermalwriter”. Silver Reed, likewise did release an EXD-10 (maybe there are more?) which looks like it’s a thermal mini-wedge, and a Colour Pengraph EB50. I’ve also seen a listing for a Seisho TP200 mini-wedge, but know nothing about it. I wonder if the Toshiba Rupo series are thermal dot matrix also? Maube Fujitsutoo? Oh yeah, and then there are the rebranded thermals (typically Brother and Silver Reed) like the Hanimex OHP Graphic Writer (not sure who the OEM is) and various Sigmas in Germany. These are just the brands I’ve come across without delving any deeper. Thanks for the encouragement. 😉
Steve, have you written a comprehensive article about thermal typewriters? I’d love to read a detailed over view of the major manufacturers and models. Thank you for the work you do on this blog.
Good sleuthing to find the ads. Yes, all those type wheels should keep you busy for a while! Have fun….. write a book!