Using a 1930 Teletype as a Linux Terminal
Commenters requested that we use our restored vintage 1930 Model 15 Teletype as a terminal for Linux. Hooking up a 5-bit Baudot mechanical contraption to a modern OS, even one that is terminal friendly, is not without some challenges: adapting to the non-standard high voltage 60 mA current loop, interfacing ASCII to the much smaller and different Baudot encoding, working in all caps, dealing with Baudot FIGS and LTRS modes, and making sure the computer doesn’t overrun the pokey 45.5 bauds connection. But hey, Unix was developed on (much more modern 8-bit) teletypes, so that should still work, shouldn’t it?
[edit] And now you can hear the bell(s)! Actually a whole episode on it: https://youtu.be/b2QPy-igBLA
My TTY interface box hardware and software details are available on my website at:
https://www.curiousmarc.com/mechanical/teletype-model-19
Here are the ASCII art files:
https://www.curiousmarc.com/mechanical/teletype-model-19#h.p_nvMSAvzNbrCq
I realized after making the video that the analog interface circuit should be credited to TeleTweety (Eric Volpe), who has all kinds of fantastic teletypes running twitter and other things at his home:
https://www.youtube.com/user/teletweety
He tweets from his teletype (in all caps!) at @teletweety
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:30 1930 ‘Model 15’ Teletype Overview
1:52 Making the analog interface
3:28 Test using the HP 8018A Serial Data Generator
4:23 Arduino Software
5:44 Finished interface test
8:20 Linux hookup
10:00 1st Login attempt, no cigar
10:53 2nd Login attempt, success!
12:18 Using the line editor ‘ed’ on the teletype
15:02 Printing ASCII Art!
16:00 Saturn V rocket printout
Our sponsor for PCBs: https://www.pcbway.com
Support the team on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/curiousmarc
Buy shirts on Teespring: https://teespring.com/stores/curiousmarcs-store
Learn more on companion site: https://www.curiousmarc.com
Contact info: https://www.youtube.com/curiousmarc/about
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