Golf Ball (Type Element)
Definition
The spherical interchangeable type element on IBM Selectric typewriters, carrying 88 characters and replaceable to change typeface without changing the machine.
- Machine
- IBM Selectric typewriter
- Character capacity
- 88 characters
- Feature
- Interchangeable without changing the machine
- Shape
- Spherical type element
Common questions
How does swapping the type element affect forensic examination of a document?+
Since a single Selectric machine can produce different typefaces by swapping elements, matching a font style alone does not identify the machine; examiners instead look at mechanical defects specific to that machine's carriage, escapement or ribbon transport.
Why did the interchangeable type element matter for typewriter design at the time?+
It let a single machine switch between typefaces, such as italic, bold or a foreign character set, without needing a separate typewriter for each style, a significant convenience improvement over fixed typebar machines.
Does the number of characters on the element limit what could be typed?+
Yes, the 88-character set fixed the available letters, numerals, symbols and punctuation for a given element, so unusual symbols outside that set could not be typed without switching to a different element.
Related terms
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- Daisy Wheel
- A circular print element with flexible plastic spokes each bearing a character, used in electronic daisy-wheel typewriters and printers from the late...
- Filled Counter
- An enclosed space within a letter (the interior of 'e', 'o', 'p') that has become partially or fully occluded by accumulated ink...
- Individual Characteristic
- A characteristic unique to a specific typewriter unit arising from manufacturing variation or service wear; used to identify or eliminate a specific...
- Out-of-Alignment Character
- A typewritten character consistently displaced vertically, horizontally, or rotationally from its expected baseline position, resulting from a bent typebar, worn guide slot,...
- Pitch
- The number of characters per horizontal inch in typewritten text; standard values are 10 (Pica), 12 (Elite), and proportional (IBM Executive, Varityper).
- SWGDOC
- The Scientific Working Group for Forensic Document Examination (US), which publishes standards for typewriter examination, handwriting comparison, ink analysis, and related forensic...
- Typebar
- A pivoting lever carrying a metal type slug that strikes the ribbon and paper when a key is depressed on a mechanical...