Magnetic tape selectric typewriter
Encyclopedia
The IBM MT/ST is a model of the IBM Selectric typewriter
itegrated with magnetic tape
recording and playback facilities and built into its own small desk. It was released by IBM
in 1964. It recorded text typed on magnetic tape
, 25 kilobyte
s per cassette tape, and allowed editing and re-recording during playback. It was the first system marketed as a word processor
. Versions with two tape drives enabled features such as mail merge
.
In 1967, Jim Henson
was contracted by IBM to produce and direct a short film on the MT/ST; the film, called Paperwork Explosion, was scored by Raymond Scott
.
The MT/ST became obsolete in the 1970s in favor of floppy disk
-based systems.
IBM Selectric typewriter
The IBM Selectric typewriter was a highly successful model line of electric typewriters introduced by IBM on July 31, 1961.Instead of the "basket" of individual typebars that swung up to strike the ribbon and page in a traditional typewriter, the Selectric had a type element that rotated and...
itegrated with magnetic tape
Magnetic tape
Magnetic tape is a medium for magnetic recording, made of a thin magnetizable coating on a long, narrow strip of plastic. It was developed in Germany, based on magnetic wire recording. Devices that record and play back audio and video using magnetic tape are tape recorders and video tape recorders...
recording and playback facilities and built into its own small desk. It was released by IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
in 1964. It recorded text typed on magnetic tape
Magnetic tape data storage
Magnetic tape data storage uses digital recording on to magnetic tape to store digital information. Modern magnetic tape is most commonly packaged in cartridges and cassettes. The device that performs actual writing or reading of data is a tape drive...
, 25 kilobyte
Kilobyte
The kilobyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. Although the prefix kilo- means 1000, the term kilobyte and symbol KB have historically been used to refer to either 1024 bytes or 1000 bytes, dependent upon context, in the fields of computer science and information...
s per cassette tape, and allowed editing and re-recording during playback. It was the first system marketed as a word processor
Word processor
A word processor is a computer application used for the production of any sort of printable material....
. Versions with two tape drives enabled features such as mail merge
Mail merge
Mail merge is a software function which allows to create multiple documents from a single template form and a structured data source.-History:This technique of merging data to create gave rise to the term mail merge....
.
In 1967, Jim Henson
Jim Henson
James Maury "Jim" Henson was an American puppeteer best known as the creator of The Muppets. As a puppeteer, Henson performed in various television programs, such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for...
was contracted by IBM to produce and direct a short film on the MT/ST; the film, called Paperwork Explosion, was scored by Raymond Scott
Raymond Scott
Raymond Scott was an American composer, band leader, pianist, engineer, recording studio maverick, and electronic instrument inventor....
.
The MT/ST became obsolete in the 1970s in favor of floppy disk
Floppy disk
A floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles...
-based systems.