Vintage Smith Corona 5TE portable electric typewriter

Made my day yesterday March 08/09 when I found this vintage Smith Corona model 5TE portable electric typewriter. I'd never seen a portable electric this old looking before so I bought it immediately. Turns out it that this model is the very first "portable" electric typewriter debuting in 1957. There had been electric full size typewriters in use for decades but no portables. Overall it's in good condition, the cord needs replacing and a few of the keys stick, nothing a cleaning and light oiling won't fix.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Vintage
• Smith
• Corona
• portable
• electric
• typewriter
• 5TE

[oakland2949]

p.s. Ms. Ellingson, my high school typing teacher would have given you a week of detention if she caught you typing on the carriage with no paper in it. You're lucky she hasn't seen this vid.

[pkguy3]

I know...me guilty . I recollect being taught that you should use two sheets of paper but I never did.

[Jibbie49]

I was in 10th grade in 1964/65 and we had ALL manual Royal typewriters at our high school, so I didn't think there was an electric portable made in '57. I wanted a manual one and my father wouldn't put out $58 for it.

[pkguy3]

Nope, it's definitely from 1957.. google away and you'll find the magazine ads for it back then in 57 etc.

[Cdenton95]

me and my dad got a portable MECHANICAL smith corona typewriter from goodwill even, and it looked pretty good. where exactly did u get urs at?

[pkguy3]

I found it at a junk store out in the country

[johnrk556]

I've had a 5TE for around 10 years. It is a fantastic typer, with nicer key action than their restyle in the early sixties. Quiet, but really heavy! Great machine and I'm delighted you saved it!

[megabrontes123]

i just found a electric smith corona electric at goodwill!!!

[nawkboy]

They actually still sell ribbons for it! My 1957 is in air-conditioned storage, in the oeiginal case. It will be a decorative item in our new home, as there is no way I'll part with this piece of history for $10. My Aunt typed all her college papers on this as I did mine, a gift for my high school graduation. Yes, I use a computer now but this is a piece of family history that will not be sold online.

[ladyleesutter]

I have one from yard sale 1994. I love it, altho haven't used much in many years. Tried to insert new ribbon last night; one I found after a lot of hassle, (can't recall where) couldn't remember how to position it, "thread" it, but finally did out after nearly giving up. I'm old enough that i started on manuals, and have replaced ribbons many times, but you don't use it you lose it. Love its hum, clack of keys on platen. Searching on line for if, where and how to oil it and found your video. (:

[thishasgottobecrazy]

What is the function of the dial to the left of the on off switch?

[TheVintageer]

A little advice from another owner of the 5TE, there is a flaw of a small motor that moves the carriage as you type. If the typewriter is left running for an extensive period of time, the motor's casing melts just slightly to where the carriage would either skip, or not move at all.

I learned this the hard way.

[BlueScarecrow]

I just purchased the same model typewriter yesterday, however it was in a very different case (mine looks very fifties in a checker-box style) and the cord was perfectly fine. However it needs a new ribbon and a bit of cleaning.

[dearlydeceived]

they made my hunting rifle... m1903a3