Burroughs D8585 Keyboard - 4802-1115-501 Rev G
- HaaTa
- Master Kiibohd Hunter
- Location: San Jose, California, USA
- Main keyboard: Depends the day
- Main mouse: CST L-TracX
- Favorite switch: Fujitsu Leaf Spring/Topre/BS/Super Alps
- DT Pro Member: 0006
- Contact:
So this keyboard...it is technically the oldest computer keyboard I own. Circa ~1968, with switches from 1967.
It also took me multiple months to acquire the keyboard from the seller. He didn't want to split the keyboard from the monitor and power supply. But the story goes he had a body builder carry the power pack into his basement...
Anyways, behold this marvel of 1960's engineering.
burroughs-08585_1 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0620 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0621 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0622 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0631 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0638 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0637 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0649 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0655 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0656 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0658 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0660 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0667 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0670 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0678 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0687 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0698 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0718 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0717 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0719 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0751 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0753 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0772 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0778 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0782 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0790 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0789 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0792 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0793 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0795 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0796 by triplehaata, on Flickr
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DSC_0840 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0843 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0845 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0849 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0851 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0852 by triplehaata, on Flickr
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DSC_0804 by triplehaata, on Flickr
It also took me multiple months to acquire the keyboard from the seller. He didn't want to split the keyboard from the monitor and power supply. But the story goes he had a body builder carry the power pack into his basement...
Anyways, behold this marvel of 1960's engineering.
burroughs-08585_1 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0620 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0621 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0622 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0631 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0638 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0637 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0649 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0655 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0656 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0658 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0660 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0667 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0670 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0678 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0687 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0698 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0718 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0717 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0719 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0751 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0753 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0772 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0778 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0782 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0790 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0789 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0792 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0793 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0795 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0796 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0798 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0799 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0807 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0808 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0816 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0829 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0839 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0840 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0843 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0845 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0849 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0851 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0852 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0854 by triplehaata, on Flickr
DSC_0804 by triplehaata, on Flickr
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
What better than a spaghetti keyboard for writing spaghetti code?
It's in reassuringly clean shape. I like those switches. They remember to say they're switches on the outside!
It's in reassuringly clean shape. I like those switches. They remember to say they're switches on the outside!
- HaaTa
- Master Kiibohd Hunter
- Location: San Jose, California, USA
- Main keyboard: Depends the day
- Main mouse: CST L-TracX
- Favorite switch: Fujitsu Leaf Spring/Topre/BS/Super Alps
- DT Pro Member: 0006
- Contact:
Yeah, I'm pretty sure they are the same as yours.
If you look at the full album, I did take apart various switches to see if there were any differences. The single grey/beige one just seemed older. The bottom piece did look different though, it had more holes. Inside, the switches were basically the same.
If you look at the full album, I did take apart various switches to see if there were any differences. The single grey/beige one just seemed older. The bottom piece did look different though, it had more holes. Inside, the switches were basically the same.
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
Because low profile!
I'm not sure if this is what they were doing, but here's IBM's version of the idea:
At least you never have to worry about keyboard slipping, or lost feet, or any adjustment whatsoever. Quit worrying and learn to love our Sci-Fi retro future!
I'm not sure if this is what they were doing, but here's IBM's version of the idea:
At least you never have to worry about keyboard slipping, or lost feet, or any adjustment whatsoever. Quit worrying and learn to love our Sci-Fi retro future!
-
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Main keyboard: IBM Bigfoot
- Main mouse: CST trackball
- Favorite switch: IBM Model F
- DT Pro Member: -
Wow, imagine how many hours of labor went into making that keyboard. My sister used to work for Burroughs around that time frame, in Detroit, back when it was a functioning city.
- daedalus
- Buckler Of Springs
- Location: Ireland
- Main keyboard: Model M SSK (home) HHKB Pro 2 (work)
- Main mouse: CST Lasertrack, Logitech MX Master
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring, Beam Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0087
Not sure what that Burroughs machine was for, but that contraption, the IBM 3741, was designed as a replacement for keypunch machines. It stored data onto 8" floppy disks, instead of on cards.Muirium wrote: ↑Because low profile!
I'm not sure if this is what they were doing, but here's IBM's version of the idea:!
The thing I love the most about those things is that the CRT tube is mounted vertically inside the desk, and the "screen" on the desk is actually a mirror. That picture sort of demonstrates that phenomenon well. The System/32 had a similar design:
See here
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
I guess they wanted your eyes straight ahead on whatever you were transcribing then? Because the ergonomics of that low, far off axis, screen are made of nightmares!
Edit: Having read your link, I'm flummoxed quite what this is:
But its position in front of the user suggests significance beyond that pokey little display.
Edit: Having read your link, I'm flummoxed quite what this is:
But its position in front of the user suggests significance beyond that pokey little display.
- facetsesame
- Mad Dasher
- Location: UK
- Main keyboard: Ducky Legend
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac
- Favorite switch: MX red for linear, white for click
- DT Pro Member: 0092
The whole Burroughs terminal(?) setup looks like it belongs on a battleship or something. Just as well it fixes to the desk, I wouldn't want that dropping on my toes. Though admittedly I might not have the heft to do that accidentally.
The stark contrasting mono scheme with circular buttons makes me think of an unrelated but contemporary design by V & E Friedland...
As for the IBM 3741, it's a very nice dream. I have a feeling I'd end up with a stack of alternate keyboard modules! In a modern setting (I'm not advocating anything sacreligious here), the advantage of such a display set up would mean you could have a large display straight ahead and entirely indepdent, and the built in display could provide status messages, like a sort of (dare I say the word) annunciator. But that is not the world I live in.
The stark contrasting mono scheme with circular buttons makes me think of an unrelated but contemporary design by V & E Friedland...
As for the IBM 3741, it's a very nice dream. I have a feeling I'd end up with a stack of alternate keyboard modules! In a modern setting (I'm not advocating anything sacreligious here), the advantage of such a display set up would mean you could have a large display straight ahead and entirely indepdent, and the built in display could provide status messages, like a sort of (dare I say the word) annunciator. But that is not the world I live in.
-
- Location: geekhack ergonomics subforum
- Favorite switch: Alps plate spring; clicky SMK
- DT Pro Member: -
- HaaTa
- Master Kiibohd Hunter
- Location: San Jose, California, USA
- Main keyboard: Depends the day
- Main mouse: CST L-TracX
- Favorite switch: Fujitsu Leaf Spring/Topre/BS/Super Alps
- DT Pro Member: 0006
- Contact:
The original ebay listing had the title: VTG BURROUGHS LOGIC UNIT MODL 08585
IIRC, the seller said that it was for Airplane reservation system. Makes sense if you look at the keycaps.
IIRC, the seller said that it was for Airplane reservation system. Makes sense if you look at the keycaps.
- facetsesame
- Mad Dasher
- Location: UK
- Main keyboard: Ducky Legend
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac
- Favorite switch: MX red for linear, white for click
- DT Pro Member: 0092
That style of keycap definitely reminds me of something!
- Attachments
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- sesame_street2.jpg (296.47 KiB) Viewed 5055 times
- facetsesame
- Mad Dasher
- Location: UK
- Main keyboard: Ducky Legend
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac
- Favorite switch: MX red for linear, white for click
- DT Pro Member: 0092
If only we'd been there at the right time! Not sure I'd be up to wire wrapping up a Teensy clone though.
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- DT Pro Member: -
I knew this terminal looked familiar. Here's a BYTE ad from June 1977:
...and when I looked again at the terminal from The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), I noticed that the key colour scheme is similar. I know it's not the same terminal, but take a look at the line of white keys at the top of the keyboard:
I always assumed the Thomas Crown terminal had Selectric style (normal sphericals), but maybe that's because the resolution is too low. I wish I could get a higher resolution shot of this.
-
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Main keyboard: IBM Bigfoot
- Main mouse: CST trackball
- Favorite switch: IBM Model F
- DT Pro Member: -
Weight 210 lbs (95 kilos)! Sometimes it's just as well that things aren't made like they used to be...
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- DT Pro Member: -
I finally managed to get a higher resolution image of this and it is indeed Burroughs (and Micro Switch), but not the rounded keycap black & white type.
So it looks like the companies using Micro Switch rounded keys and went "Selectric style" before 1970, except UNIVAC, which stuck with their distinctive shape until at least the mid-70's.
So it looks like the companies using Micro Switch rounded keys and went "Selectric style" before 1970, except UNIVAC, which stuck with their distinctive shape until at least the mid-70's.