IBM 6715

This is the IBM 6715 Actionwriter 1.

This typewriter has been described as a bit of a unicorn. It's an IBM, but not really. IBM had been making professional heavy duty office typewriters for many decades. By 1985 these had evolved into the first models of the Wheelwriter line, big electronic devices with a separate printer unit using a daisywheel print element. However, at that time IBM did not have a suitable model for the home, school, and small business markets. Rather than build their own low end model, IBM turned to Triumph Adler in Germany, who had the successful Gabrielle 9009 electronic typewriter. Triumph Adler agreed to build the IBM 6715 Actionwriter 1 for IBM, based on the Gabrielle 9009, but with an IBM keyboard, similar to the IBM Model M keyboard used with computers at the time, and a slightly modified case. It was sold as both 6715 and Actionwriter 1, and I haven't found anyone able to say what determined what label it got in what market at what time.

This typewriter, like several other of that era, has a computer interface. Now, this interface appears to have been intended as only a printer interface, but I am hoping that with a bit of trickery, it might be possible to convince the device to operate as a terminal device, much like a Teletype, DECwriter, or IBM 2741.

When I got the device, I tried it out, and somewhat to my surprise it just worked. I could type on the keyboard and the print mechanism would print on the paper. The ribbon had run out, though, so it was printing white letters on white paper. Unfortunately, the second time I switched it on, nothing happened, so it is in need of some repair.