IBM typewriter milestones

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1970 The headquarters of the Office Products Division (OPD) is moved to new and much larger space at Franklin Lakes, N.J. The new site is completed the following year.
1971 The IBM Communicating Mag Card Selectric Typewriter is announced in July. This invention allows mag card typewriters separated by thousands of miles to send information to each other over voice-grade telephone lines.
1971 The IBM Selectric II Typewriter, which lets the typist switch from 10-pitch for correspondence to 12-pitch for business forms and reports, is unveiled in September. The IBM Tech III Ribbon cartridge, also introduced, permits "clean hands" ribbon replacement.
1972 The IBM Mag Card Executive Typewriter debuts.
1973 IBM introduces the Correcting Selectric II Typewriter in March. The machine's Lift-off Tape allows the typist to lift typing errors literally off the paper.

1973 The IBM Mag Card II Typewriter is announced in April. Its electronic memory holds up to 8,000 characters.
1973 OPD assumes responsibility for IBM facilities in Boulder, Colo., and engineering and manufacturing operations for IBM copier products are transferred from Lexington to Boulder.
1974 IBM rolls out the Memory Typewriter, a desktop typewriter that stores everything typed and allows the operator to recall and revise previously typed material. It has a 4,000 character memory, with a 50-page storage. Also available is a 100-page storage.
1975 The IBM Electronic Selectric Composer is launched in January.
1975 The IBM Mag Card/A Typewriter debuts in September.
1977 IBM announces the Office System/6 in January.
1977 The IBM Mag Card II Typewriter - Communicating is announced, also in January.
1977 The IBM Correcting Selectric Right to Left Typewriters (Hebrew, Farsi and Arabic) are introduced in March.
1977 The IBM Memory 100 Typewriter debuts, also in March.

1977 The IBM 6240 Mag Card Typewriter is rolled out in June. It operates at speeds up to 55 characters per second.
1978 The IBM Electronic Typewriter 50 and Electronic Typewriter 60, the first electronic typewriters, introduce a new dimension of features, including automatic error correction, underscoring and centering.
1980 The keyboards of the IBM Selectric III and IBM Correcting Selectric III typewriters feature larger, non-glare keys and a lighted margin scale.
1981 The Office Products Division, along with the Data Processing and General Systems Divisions, is consolidated into two new divisions: National Accounts and National Marketing.
1982 The IBM Electronic Typewriter 65 and Electronic Typewriter 85 are introduced. They have automatic right-margin justification, triple pitch and electronic keyboards.
1982 The IBM Personal Typewriter, a compact model for student and home use, is sold for the first time.
1984 The IBM Selectric System/2000 typewriters, a family of totally electronic machines for a wide range of applications, are announced.
1984 The IBM Quietwriter 7 Typewriter features a new, patented resistive ribbon print technology, plus easy-to-use electronic functions.
1984 The IBM Wheelwriter 3 and Wheelwriter 5 typewriters offer cartridge printwheels along with advanced electronic functions.
1985 The IBM Actionwriter 1 Typewriter provides versatility in a typewriter for schools, small business and the home.

1985 The IBM Wheelwriter System/20 and System/40, and the IBM Quietwriter System/20 and System/40 typewriters represent a new level of typing power and sophistication. Plug-in cartridges like Mailing List, Information Organizer and Spell Check deliver software solutions for a variety of tasks.
1986 The IBM Wheelwriter 6 and Quietwriter 8 typewriters provide advances in speed, power and convenience.
1987 The IBM Personal Typing System combines the simplicity of a typewriter and the flexibility of a word processor with the power of a personal computer.
1988 In the largest typewriter announcement in IBM history, the IBM Wheelwriter Series II typewriters and the IBM Personal Wheelwriter Typewriter provide solutions for virtually every typing application.

1990 IBM announces that it will form a wholly-owned subsidiary consolidating the company's typewriter, keyboard, intermediate and personal printers and supplies business in the United States, including manufacturing and development facilities. IBM also reports that it is working to create an alliance under which Clayton & Dubilier, Inc., would become the majority owner of the new subsidiary, and that IBM is studying a plan to include the remainder of its worldwide "information products" business in the alliance. The new U.S. company includes IBM's information products facilities in Lexington and Boulder.
1991 IBM and Clayton & Dubilier, Inc., create a new information products company -- Lexmark International, Inc. -- to develop, manufacture and sell personal printers, typewriters, keyboards and related supplies worldwide. Lexmark is licensed to use certain IBM trademarks and has access to IBM technology and licenses to patents related to its business activities.