Time for something fun. We've all seen those pictures intended for children where something is wrong in them, and the goal is for the kids to find what it is. Then they circle it, and check the upside-down answer on page 78 or whatever. Well, this is kind of like that, only please do not attempt to actually circle anything with your over-sized HUSKY pencil, and don't turn your computer upside down to look for the answer.
Obviously, then, there is something wrong with this picture, more precisely with the TYPEWRITER shown in it. And NO, what's wrong with it is NOT that is doesn't work! (Come to think of it, that would have been good though...) Nope. It's something else.
We've all heard of, and likely taken, IQ tests. Meant to measure intelligence on a broader lever, these tests are still common in schools for estimating intelligence. BUT, there are OTHER kinds of intelligence. Anyone ever heard of EMOTIONAL IQ? Yes, there is such a thing. Apparently. Mines a 3. Is that good? Well, whatever.
This exercise is going to test your TYPEWRITER IQ. Yes, there is such a thing, if only because I just made it up. There!! So what is YOUR typewriter IQ? Well, try it out on this new, recurring feature. Post your ideas and/or comments and lets see who guesses correctly. Even if you aren't a machine "student" you certainly have a good chance of SEEING something, or SOME THINGS in this picture which ought to seem odd. No, I didn't photoshop it. No, we didn't manufacture it ourselves out of our huge rumored to exist warehouse of Smith-Corona machines and parts. (What a complete surprise that it's an S/C/M machine, eh?) No, it wasn't delivered last night on the regular UFO shipment, that one only brings typing paper and crystal meth. And Chardonnay. Don't ask.
So have at it! Look over this machine which most if not all collectors wouldn't even give a second glance, and POST what it is you note!! Or, just keep it in mind and look for the answer, which we will post up early next week. Have fun!!
Large typeface? I see the paper scale only goes up to (looks closely) 65-ish, so I'm guessing it types at a pitch of 6 or 7. Backed up by the color-select switch, which is missing the normal red position.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't pass it up. Just the thing to type on when I've misplaced my reading glasses!
You beat me to it, Mike :(
ReplyDeleteBut yes, I was going to comment about the paper scale too, and I think this types large characters of 6 per inch.
See, I've been diligently keeping up with PTF, which explains my high typewriter IQ... on this task at least :)
A large typeface wouldn't be WRONG, just different. The characters typed when you shift the number keys are unusual, but again, not WRONG.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I need some Chardonnay to see the mystery.
(Google gave me the word verification "phock." No comment.)
The shifted numerals would make sense if this was to be used in a school setting. I believe I see the standard division sign over the 5, so this could be used to prepare math worksheets.
ReplyDeleteAgain, not "wrong."
i'm kind of a newbie but what's that half space switch on the left there? and what's the switch on the top right for? you have all probably seen them before.
ReplyDeleteoh wait - had to zoom in, the top right is the ribbon color LOL
ReplyDeletesorry to hog the queue but what's that little crown symbol under the ribbon vibrator?
ReplyDeleteI think that symbol refers to the "jeweled escapement."
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a half-space button like that before -- only a half-spacer right next to the regular spacebar. Anyway, this would advance the carriage a half space -- useful for inserting corrections.
Still looking for the problem ... must drink more wine ...
Its missing a couple keys on the number row, although I know that its not uncommon to have the 1/! key missing to the left of the 2, but I haven't seen many of these without the extra key to the right of the -/*, which usually has the =/+ key.
ReplyDeleteOddly, the = and + is each above a number, which means that the # and % signs are now missing.
So how long must we agonize in our ignorance?!
ReplyDeleteI promise I haven't looked at the answer (am just catching up), but isn't the "convention" to have the backspace on the right and the tab on the left? At least with U.S. machines of this era? Of course, what could be "wrong" is that someone swapped the key covers.
ReplyDeleteLaura B.
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ReplyDeleteThe Classic 12 has a half space key, but that isn't the position I'm used to. I believe that I've seen it like that on the Galaxy line (which is pretty much the same, anyways...)
ReplyDelete