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Pre programmable Typewriter


Gerry

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We will be performing "Ghost Writer" by David Tristram in November.

The script calls or a typewriter to suddenly start typing out a page of text on it's own.

The author says this can easily be achieved using a pre programmable typewriter.

Done a quick Google search but haven't, as yet, found a typewriter that will do this.

Anybody seen such a typewriter?

Cheers

Gerry

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Failing that maybe try and get your hands on a daisywheel printer and mock up a typewriter shell over the top?

Sorry, should have said that it is also used as a typewriter.

The character is writing a book but after his death the typewriter carries on unattended.

Cheers

Gerry

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First find that typewriter second get Cedd to fit the animatronics and a connector to a remote hidden keyboard that someone can type the phantom pages on. OR fit a dummy ribbon and just pull a few keys and have the sheet of paper pretyped and coming up.

 

try to sell the product to the rights holders or onto the next performer.

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The hardest things to fake when an Invisibly dead person types on a real typewriter is the carriage return, when roller and box assembly that holds the paperer all moves to the left by a lines width, and the advance lever, the arm you push the carriage with, this arm has to swivel about 30 deg to the left, it advances the paper up one line. Keys are almost secondary, so long as a few move.

 

I agree with a pre typed sheet, and remove the typewriter's ribbon. If the director demands a realistic period typewriter then screw it to the desk, place a very small ASM under the desk with fishing lines and pull rods, a period of rehersal will follow. if the director will permit more modern machine then an IBM Selectronic golf ball typewriter would mod easy. More modern again is the daisy-wheel printer as outlined above

 

What the director might not have considered is who how and where the next sheet is loaded into the typewriter, Actor removes one sheet and tyoerwriter is dead in the water.

 

It would be kinder to start expectation management now..

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First find that typewriter second get Cedd to fit the animatronics and a connector to a remote hidden keyboard that someone can type the phantom pages on.

Methinks I'm getting a reputation around here! :-)

JUST because I've built animatronic nazi pigeons, roses with petals that drop off, an animatronic toto the dog, and a remote control life size R2D2 doesn't necessarily mean I'll take on every geeky project that comes my way..........

 

Oh who am I trying to kid! Sounds great fun!

 

I can foresee a motorised cam shaft driving the keys (doesn't have to be every key. 6 or 8 should have the desired effect), a pre printed sheet with a paper feed, and all driven by an Arduino that responds to DMX.

 

Now, where to find a typewriter.......

 

I might add, the dangerous thing is that our director is a very clever and successful businessman by day, who's got there partially be being very good at making people do things for him without even realising he's pulling the strings.

His last call was along the lines of "Chris, this might be too much of a challenge for you, so it's ok if you want to say no. I'll understand if you're not able to manage it....". At which point, of course, there was no way that I was saying no!!! I can never turn down a challenge!

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Being a former BT guy (and bone idle with it) I would start with a Telex machine or electro-writer in mind, Cedd.

 

An IBM Golfball would be next on the "I wonder" list eliminating the need for carriage return. Too lazy to invent stuff has worked for me so far.

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  • 2 weeks later...
I was thinking along the same lines, something that will accept RS232 and can have text dumped to it from HyperTerminal on a PC. The old DEC LA120 was the one that sprung to mind, then I read about the casting problem :(
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There was an project in Elektor Electronics 110 - June 1984 for a printer driver circuit for a typewriter (I think IBM golfball BICBW)

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Elektor-Electronics-110-June-1984-Typewriter-as-a-printer-/171379509475

 

Some daisywheel typewriters had computer interface ports but often required an interface box which will be near unobtainable now.

 

 

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I've just written one in to the story for a Halloween event I do, so it looks like I'm going to be building one very soon anyway!

 

I'm currently on the lookout for a suitable typewriter that'll allow me space to install all the gubbins within it, and that fits an early 1900's era (to work for the Ghost Writer, should anybody ever want it after I'm done with it). The Imperial "Good Companion" is a little late in era, but really does have the look of what I'd imagine to be a "proper typewriter".

Thanks for the inspiration - it's given me a great idea for a story that's going to scare the pants off of them this year!

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