1967 A/C Label

[Bill C.]

Has anyone devised a acceptable way to insert the numeral code on a a/c label in the "code" section ? I checked with the label supplier and was told, "american school typewriter" or a old letter printing press. Both of these items are probably in the Smithsonian Museum. Suggestions ?????????? Bill #20328

[Jack H.]

Re: A/C Label

I've looked without sucess and run into a few 'good ole boys' who remember the application but haven't a clue as to where to get these ribbons today...

When I worked at Texas Instruments in the early 70's we hand typed the serial number tags for our data terminals. Our S/N tag was similar to the A/C label--based on metal foil stock with pre-printed common information and a 'blank' for the unit's specific serial number.

Our volume was NOWHERE near as high as that of GM's Frigidaire division, so the labels were hand typed by manufacturing secretarial staffers using IBM Selectric typewriters with the labels on continuous roll feed stock.

The secretary's used a 'special' Selectric ink ribbon cartridge designed for typing on metal foil stock. The ordinary, office grade, ribbon cartridges intended to print on paper would make impressions in the metal foil but the ink from the ribbon would NOT adhere to metal surface.

The result was a 'blochy' ink fill in the foil impressions that made reading the typed font difficult, at best! With the 'special' ribbon cartridges that were intended for printing on foil, the ink filled and adhered to the foil surface PERFECTLY.

Like I said, I've tried to find a source for these special Selectric ribbons and come up dry... Maybe two out of ten good ole boy office supply specialists knew what I was talking about when I described what I was looking for and the intended printing job I wanted to do.