Only ’70s Kids Remember This
November 8, 2025
Source: Etsy
In the pre-keyboard and digital font days, typing was an entirely tactile experience. The hum of the typewriter, the rhythmic tapping of the keys, and the sight of characters stamping onto the page all gave the office worker’s job a unique feel. And in the center of one of the most iconic machines of the day was the IBM Selectric typeball.
The Typewriter That Revolutionized Office Work
IBM introduced the Selectric typewriter in 1961 and revolutionized typing by using a spherical typeball instead of the traditional typebar. The typeball rotated and tilted to strike the proper character. Jammed-typebar issues disappeared, and typing became faster and more efficient than before.
What Made the IBM Selectric Typeball So Unique?
The IBM Selectric typeball had every letter and number and punctuation mark embossed into it. The user could then simply swap out the typeballs to create a variety of fonts. This versatility made the Selectric an incredibly valuable tool for any person who needed to print documents, forms etc., using multiple fonts.
It was very easy to snap the typeball into place and they would always line up perfectly. With the Selectric, users could go back and forth between Courier, Script, or Prestige Elite just by swapping out the typeball.
A Close-Up Of The Prestige Elite 72
The Prestige Elite 72 was one of the most popular typefaces available for the Selectric, and it features a 12-character per inch serif font. It is a clean, professional-looking font perfect for use in office correspondence and documentations. Many people still have Prestige Elite 72 typeballs available today and they can be purchased online in original IBM packaging.
A Timeless Icon
The Selectric typeballs were part of what created the distinctive “sound” of the typewriter. Each time you pressed a key, there would be a soft “whirring” followed by a strong “thunk.” These machines were used to write many famous books, to record legal documents, and to prepare business reports. The durability and simplicity of the Selectric typeball helped make them reliable and easy to use.
Still Working Today!
Recently I came across a Prestige Elite 72 typeball that had been in a closet for years. After removing it from its packaging, the typeball looked like it had never been used. All of the characters were sharp and the original packaging had the classic IBM logo printed on it. Many of the parts and pieces of vintage machines like the Selectric are made to last and will often remain intact for decades.
Many vintage collectors are looking to add typeballs to their collections because of their historical significance and aesthetic appeal. Collectors view the typeballs as reminders that designers once built everyday tools to be durable and practical.
Final Thoughts
The IBM Selectric typeball represents a pivotal moment in office technology. With compact size, rugged construction and functionality, the typeball embodied the best qualities of innovation in everyday life. Regardless if it is sitting on a shelf or being used again in a restored Selectric typewriter, the typeball is a symbol of thoughtful design from the good old days.