Typewriter

A typewriter is a mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic device with a set of "keys" that, when pressed, cause characters to be printed on a document, usually paper.

Non-impact technologies

Towards the end of the commercial popularity of typewriters in the 1980s, a number of hybrid designs combining features of computer printers and typewriters were introduced .

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

These typically incorporated keyboards from existing models of typewriters and the printing mechanism of dot-matrix printers. The generation of teletypes with impact pin-based printing engines was not adequate for the demanding quality required for typed output. Newly developed, thermal transfer technologies used in thermal label printers had become technically feasible for typewriters.

Related Topics:
Dot-matrix printer - Teletype

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

IBM produced a series of typewriters called Thermotronic with letter-quality output and correcting tape along with printers tagged Quietwriter. Brother extended the life of their typewriter product line with similar products.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The development of these proprietary printing engines provided the vendors with exclusive markets in consumable ribbons and the possibility to use standardised printing engines with varying degrees of electronic and software sophistication to develop product lines.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The increasing dominance of personal computers and the introduction of low-cost, truly high-quality, laser and inkjet printer technologies eventually displaced dedicated typewriters.

Related Topics:
Laser - Inkjet printer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~