Micro Switch 800210/68

Micro Switch 800210/68
Manufacturer	Micro Switch
Layouts	Custom
Keyswitches	Micro Switch magnetic reed
Keycaps	Engraved sphericals
Weight	3154g
Years of production	1970

Description

Judging by the presence of the "Print" key, and while it is not known for sure, this keyboard may very well have been for a paper based terminal (as opposed to a CRT terminal) or a teletype device. It has an ETX ("End of TeXt") key that was used to tell the remote computer it communicated with that it has completed sending the message.

The keyswitches are from 1969, probably 47th week (6947 is a date code). There is also an IC on the board with a date code of 7012 which would be hint at 1970, 12th week. The top and bottom case parts are made of metal. The case is quite bulky with the enclosure at the top and measuring 42cm across, 20cm in depth, 8cm tall at the front and 16cm tall at the back. The top of the case is made to lign up with the main unit.

All the keycaps are engraved thick sphericals. All single unit keys and "space" on the spacebar are also engraved. There is no Return or Enter key present, instead there is a "New Line" key in a similar position. "Tab" is on the right hand side. There are no stabilized keys, the spacebar is stabilized by two switches eight units apart instead.

The Micro Switch reed switches read "6949 7A1HS" and "6950 7A1HS" on the switch housings. The large function swithes on the top row are clicky, a type of leaf contact mechanism with an approx. keyweight of 70g. with the marking "MICRO USA 6947 7A1CA" on the side of the switch housing. The other side shows an electrical schematic.