[GreenKeys] Fw: unknown KSR machine..

[O. Warren]

----- Original Message -----
From: "O. Warren" <ocwarren@burgoyne.com>
To: <W8MAQ@aol.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 3:47 AM
Subject: re: unknown KSR machine..


>
> Hi...
>
> Saw your message on Green Keys..
>
> It looks like a old Western Union "hybrid" mixed pieces machine and
cabinet
> that has been "worked over",  modified, or assembled from pieces, with the
> Western Union logo and power paper eject mechanism missing.  The factory
> instruction card holder to the left on the front panel is also missing and
> one of the two push buttons on the left is a "break" key.  The white light
> on top at the left is a supervisor / technician's "call waiting"
indicator.
>
> Back in the 1950's W.U. had these machines and their various Receive Only
> variations that were used as special use units.  The version with the
> keyboard and break key was a "Order Wire" unit that was a direct line to
the
> distant end and was used by supervisors and technicians to discuss
received
> message and circuit situations.  There was a machine version used as
Receive
> Only that was used to print out incoming messages on a pre printed
customer
> ready "accordion fold" form, the paper fed from a box on the floor behind
> the cabinet..
>
> That flat paper form guide in picture "C" above the printer is the guide
> channel for the form feed which originally came into the machine's cabinet
> from the back, but someone has fitted an additional  paper roll holder to
> the printer above the form paper guide channel.. Normally the paper roll
of
> roll machines would sit down in a area behind the platen.
>
> Someone had access to various "bits and pieces" and had fun putting this
> printer and cabinet assembly together, someone who may or may not have
been
> familiar with the individual parts, but put it together and made something
> to work as they wanted!!
>
> When I first started with W.U. in the late 50's I had to work on model
15's
> and particularly the receive printers, and later was responsible for the
> accordianized paper versions (also known as "burster units" for the manner
> that the paper "burst" out of the cabinet for operator processing..
> The"burster units" were still in use in the early 70's..
>
> IF the machine works, have fun with it...
>
>  Best,
>
> Dick Warren, W7TIO
> Western Union, ret.
> ocwarren@burgoyne.com
>