After releasing two golf ball models, the Silver-Reed 235-C and the 255-C, in 1979 and 1980, Silver Reed entered the electronic typewriter market with the release of an EX- series of daisy wheel office (EX-50, 55, 66, 77, 78) and compact (EX-42, 43N, 44) electronic typewriters during the period 1982 to to 1984.
While the office models are capable of printing at 20 cps, the compact models have a disappointing top speed of 12 cps. However, what they lack for in speed they more than make up for in build quality and aesthetic appeal.

According to the operating manual: “For the machines to USA/Canada function keys are indicated with the names of the functions instead of the arrow marks.” Not sure why someone thought that was necessary.
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I owned an EX-44 30+ years ago. Key reason for buying it was the optional computer interface box which coupled up to my BBC computer
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Thanks Kathy. Yes and you can still get the ribbons if you look out for ’em – quite often obtained with a cheaply-priced typewriter that uses them. I have a hoard myself 😉
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HI, you did used to be able to get fabric ribbons for these, back in the 1980’s they cost about £7, my dad bought me one because I went through a lot of film correctable cassettes. Ive just bought an ex32 on ebay, mint condition and its divine! I had the ex42 when it first came out in the 80’s.
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Hi Rob, It could be possible with those wedges that take a fabric ribbon in addition to a film ribbon. Sounds messy though 😉
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Sure do. Most of them TA-Adler Royal and Canon, also quite a few Brothers, also Panasonic, Sharp, Smith Corona, Silver Reed (2), Olivetti, Nakajima, Diablo (1), Robotron, oh and a few IBM Wheelwriter ones that are too big to fit inside the caddies. 😉
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Nice machine. Too bad about the ribbon availability issue, those machines deserve to be used.
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Looks like you got a whole buncha type wheels in those blue floppy caddies 😀
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I’ve never given any thought to owning an electric typewriter before, with something vague at the back of my mind about cartridges being the problem. As they are plastic, though, they should last a hundred years or more. So, my question is, is it possible to re-ink them when dry? If so, I might well get interested, as they can give a lovely type, as yours does here.
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