RARE Vintage Electric Typewriter Restoration

Earlier this year I found this old typewriter at an antique store, and decided to try getting it working again.
This unit is an extremely rare Pre-IBM Electromatic typewriter, the very first commercially successful production electric typewriter.
North East Electric Company initially began manufacturing electric typewriters under contract in collaboration with Remington Typewriters in 1924, but began independently producing the Electromatic typewriter in 1929, under ownership of General Electric.
The renamed Electromatic Typewriter Company would continue producing these Electromatic typewriters until 1933, when their assets were purchased by International Business Machines (IBM). According to IBM, they would invest in improving the design of the Electromatic, before releasing it to market in 1935 as the IBM Model 01, which shares the same overall design, parts compatibility, and look of the original Electromatic typewriters.
Between IBM's initial acquisition of Electromatic Typewriter Company and the release of the IBM Model 01, it appears that IBM continued to produce the Electromatic typewriter, with IBM-branded paper rests and top covers, as well as additional red plastic features. IBM also produced the special metal ribbon wheels used by the Electromatic typewriters, and subsequent IBM models.

This particular typewriter lacks all indication of IBM manufacture, save for the replacement ribbon wheels which IBM continued to produce later for the Model 01, Model A, Model B, and possibly further models as well. It appears that this particular typewriter was produced between 1929 and 1933 before acquisition by IBM. That would make this the only example of a pre-IBM Electromatic Typewriter on the entire internet, as far as I can tell.

This typewriter did not require any electrical repair or maintenance, as it appears the original electric motor for this unit was replaced- possibly in the 1950's or 1960's, and was running perfectly during my tests. Much to my surprise, both the rubber platen and rubber key roller were not only complete, but neither were cracked or damaged at all.
Even the carriage return belt and tensioner were fully intact.
However, the typewriter was so full of dirt, dust, and dried oil that most moving parts were completely seized or moved lethargically, hence this disassembly and cleaning to restore the typewriter to working condition.


Working on this typewriter was a lot of fun, and I'm glad to have saved this 40lb piece of history from being thrown away or forgotten to suffer a worse fate. If you know any museums who'd like to add this piece to their gallery, I'd be happy to see it go to a good home.