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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.

Related terms

Carbon-Film Ribbon
A single-strike typewriter ribbon with a carbon coating that transfers completely to paper on impact, enabling high-quality impressions; the used ribbon retains...
Class Characteristic
A feature shared by an entire group of objects (every shoe of one model has the same sole tread; every tire of...
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...

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