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geekhack Community => geekhack Media => Topic started by: Ellipse on Sun, 28 December 2014, 13:45:20

Title: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: Ellipse on Sun, 28 December 2014, 13:45:20
This is a Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401 from 1992.

Here's how the IBM Model M keyboards were packaged.  From what I was told, most of these did not have "retail" box packaging since they were just going right into service in an office, so they were just taped to foam and did not have a box, like this one.  I read elsewhere that even IBM itself tossed thousands of unused and unsold Model Ms, so these are quite hard to find new.

These keyboards were factory taped to the foam as shown - I cut one side of the foam to show the top side of the Model M.

I can understand why new ones are in such high demand - there is a lot of gross gunk and hair below a majority of the used Model Ms from years of usage.

Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: Ellipse on Sun, 28 December 2014, 13:46:19
Some more photos with the factory seal broken on one side:
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: Ellipse on Sun, 28 December 2014, 13:47:17
And the last group of photos showing the older IBM logo on this 1992 Model M:
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 28 December 2014, 18:20:04
Very nice acquisition :)

Sad that back in the day they were just keyboards.  Mistreated.  Thrown out when no longer required or computer upgraded.  Surplus stock probably shredded.
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: ander on Thu, 12 February 2015, 04:16:52
A thing of beauty, dude. I'm trying not to drool on my desk here. Hope you're enjoying it!
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: Air tree on Thu, 12 February 2015, 04:20:45
Where did you find this beauty? Last time I looked on eBay a new Model M was going for $150, probably an exaggerated price, but still.
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: ander on Sun, 15 February 2015, 08:37:43
Wow—when did you last look at eBay? Were iPhones around yet?  :?)
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: Michael on Sun, 15 February 2015, 08:41:45
Wow—when did you last look at eBay? Was the World Trade Center still around?


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4083/5055032357_69d1d1be72_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: ander on Mon, 16 February 2015, 05:42:32
Ah, sorry—I forgot that humour wasn't allowed here.   :?|

Instead, I probably should've said, "No, actually, NIB Model M's are much more expensive now." Then you could've posted a photo of someone filing their tax return.
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: Nover on Mon, 16 February 2015, 06:29:27
Ah, sorry—I forgot that humour wasn't allowed here.   :?|

Instead, I probably should've said, "No, actually, NIB Model M's are much more expensive now." Then you could've posted a photo of someone filing their tax return.

www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-Model-M-Keyboard-NEW-In-Box/251839194788
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Mon, 16 February 2015, 09:23:16
Ah, sorry—I forgot that humour wasn't allowed here.   :?|

Humour is definitely allowed.  I'm not sure who would call what you did "humour", but if you insist...   :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: ander on Mon, 16 February 2015, 18:19:44
Humour is definitely allowed.  I'm not sure who would call what you did "humour", but if you insist...   :rolleyes:

Okay, I see your point... It was just what sprang into my mind—because it was so vivid, I guess. I'll go back and change it to something a bit more considerate. (Wouldn't it be great if we could do this in real life?)
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: Snowdog993 on Wed, 18 February 2015, 11:22:56
They do have boxes and they look like this:
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: Snowdog993 on Wed, 18 February 2015, 11:57:40

Here's how the IBM Model M keyboards were packaged.  From what I was told, most of these did not have "retail" box packaging since they were just going right into service in an office, so they were just taped to foam and did not have a box, like this one.

I believe you were told wrong.  They all came with boxes when they are shipped.  My guess is the place that obtained these keyboards, the IT people took them all out to be sure they had every keyboard in their inventory.  They sometimes took information such as the serial number etc, to avoid theft.  This is just the way some corporations worked.
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: Touch_It on Wed, 18 February 2015, 15:44:06
If I would have had access to mass quantities of keyboards like that back in the day,  there very well may have been some theft  :)).  Good information btw.  Nice looking box.
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: ander on Thu, 19 February 2015, 03:37:11
Ever have dreams of being transported back in time, where you could just walk into a store and buy the stuff you always craved? This is like that.
Title: Re: Brand New in original foam IBM Model M keyboard, part 1391401
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 19 February 2015, 04:01:03
Ever have dreams of being transported back in time, where you could just walk into a store and buy the stuff you always craved? This is like that.

If I could travel back in time I'd probably stay there.