Due to unexpectedly high volume of downloads in response to the recent Jerry Killian memo controversy, I have temporarily suspended downloads. If you are in need of these documents or specific information regarding the IBM Composer, feel free to send mail to info@ibmcomposer.org.

Downloadable PDF Documentation:
IBM Selectric Composer - Guide to Operations
IBM Electronic Selectric Composer - Operating Instructions
IBM Mag Card Composer Operating Instructions
Conversion Scale

Articles from IBM's Journal of Research and Development relating to the IBM Selectric Composer:

The IBM Selectric Composer (PDF)
Forward
Philosophy of Composer Design
The Evolution of Composition Technology
Letter Keyboard
Type Font Compatibility
Dead Key and Dead Key Disconnect Functions
Mechanical Print Quality
Statistical Evaluation of Printing Alignment
Proportional Escapement Mechanism
Memory Backspace
Development of the Rebound Governor
Justification Mechanism
Multiple Index Mechanism
Carbon Ribbon Feed Mechanism

Development of the Magnetic Tape Selectric Composer

HTML Version of the Selectric Composer Manual:
User's manual for the IBM Selectric Composer