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IBM 5291 Terminal Keyboard Conversion
Known as the Bigfoot by keyboard collectors, this cpacative terminal
keyboard is mammoth. iths a fine example of IBM engineering. this is
process I used to convert it to USB. (This is a reprint from
http://www.magicmargin.net)
Typewriters are wonderful, distraction-free writing tools. Actually,
I don't really believe that. Typewriters are a feast for the senses;
the smell, sound, and tactile feel are all part of the magic that is
part of non-digital writing. Some very sick people even love the
gentle hum of a Selectric's motor. Instead of being distraction-free
they are right-distraction devices. The things that draw our
attention are all in service to the visceral feel of pure
communication.
Even so, we are called on to engage with digital devices. It's a
cruel reality of a "modern" world. I don't like typing on a computer,
but when I do, I always use mechanical keyboards. You know the kind;
clicky, tactile, loud, and ancient. My daily typer is a 1987 IBM
Model M. It's a nice keyboard. If you'e never had the chance to use
one of these keyboards, you are missing out. On a tuned specimen,
nothing compares. If you've used an IBM Wheelwriter before, you have
used this type of keyboard.
The Model M's cult following is well documented. There are people who
will wax philosophical on the feeling and sound of the buckling
spring keyboard. There are actually YouTube videos on the subject,
but that is hardly a sigil of eccentricity.
Connoisseurs will tell you that the predecessor to the Model M, the
Model F, is even more refined. It's as close to the urkeyboard as you
can get (barring beamsprings). This is what I wanted to share with
you today.
Bigfoot is what some collectors call this. It is big and heavy. It
types beautifully.
I recently completed a USB conversion for this IMB 5291 Terminal
keyboard. Most people would think that Soarer's Converter would be
the way to go. However, Soarer's is closed-source. It's not being
actively maintained. There is also the sudden and strange
disappearance of Soarer from the keyboard enthusiast's bulletin
boards. These three things prompted me to look elsewhere for
firmware. I decided on QMK Firmware. It ticked all the boxes; Atmel
support, open-source, current updates, large user-base.
Wiring up the converter was fairly easy. I used a Teensy 2.0 to
upload the firmware from the QMK online builder. You can customize,
compile, and download all from within a web browser.
Just a little debugging and I was able to start using it on my
home computer. I just completed grades using this keyboard and
it was so nice to finally use it. As I use it more, I might just
make it a permanent daily typer. The sound and feel of this keyboard
are a perfect right-distraction.
