IBM MT/ST

IBM MT/ST

The IBM MT/ST (Magnetic Tape/Selectric Typewriter) is a model of the IBM Selectric typewriter itegrated with magnetic tape recording and playback facilities and built into its own small desk.[1] It was released by IBM in 1964.[2][3] It recorded text typed on magnetic tape, 25 kilobytes per cassette tape,[1] and allowed editing and re-recording during playback. It was the first system marketed as a word processor.[3] Versions with two tape drives enabled features such as mail merge.[3]

In 1967, Jim Henson was contracted by IBM to produce and direct a short film on the MT/ST; the film, called Paperwork Explosion,[4] was scored by Raymond Scott.[3]

The MT/ST became obsolete in the 1970s in favor of floppy disk-based systems.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Eisenberg, Daniel (1992). "Word Processing (History of)" (PDF). Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science (New York: Dekker) 49: 268–78. http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/deisenbe/compartics/History_of_Word_Processing.pdf. Retrieved 2011-05-27. 
  2. ^ a b Kunde, Brian (December 1986). "A Brief History of Word Processing (Through 1986)". Stanford University. http://www.stanford.edu/~bkunde/fb-press/articles/wdprhist.html. Retrieved 2011-05-27. 
  3. ^ a b c d Kafka, Ben (May 18, 2011). "Paperwork Explosion". West 86th. Bard Graduate Center. ISSN 2153-5531. http://www.west86th.bgc.bard.edu/articles/paperwork-explosion.html. Retrieved 2011-05-27. 
  4. ^ Paperwork Explosion on YouTube. The Jim Henson Company. Retrieved 2011-05-27