Escon Microcomputer/Selectric Interface System

[Chuck Guzis]

On 3/26/2006 at 10:48 PM Marvin Johnston wrote:

>I've got an Escon Microcomputer/Selectric Interface System that looks
>like it was sold as a kit. It appears to be a unit to convert a
>Selectric I or II typewriter so it can be used as a computer printer. Is
>anyone familiar with this unit, and any ideas about what it is worth? It
>belongs to the widow of my friend who died last month, and I am trying
>to help separate the good stuff from everything else.

Marv, does this thing work with a Selectric typewriter or a Selectric I/O
writer?  There's a big difference--the typewriter has none of the
electrical components (solenoids, etc.) that the I/O writer uses to
activate the mechanism.  The golf-ball print mechanism is the same in both.

Since Selectrics are still pretty easy to come by as typewriters, I suspect
that this may have more interest if it were intended for typewriters (i.e.
it included the actuators).  On the other hand, the I/O writers, while once
more commonplace, are fairly rare today and the unit would have
substantially less appeal.

Cheers,
Chuck