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Multistation Keyboard Repository

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Multistation Keyboard Repository

Posted: 11 Aug 2022, 06:30
by mcmaxmcmc
So... there is this list:

Code: Select all

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║ Part Number ║                            Part Name                             ║ Price (JPY) ║                 Notes                 ║
╠═════════════╬══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╬═════════════╬═══════════════════════════════════════╣
║ 5556001     ║ Keyboard type 1 (Hiragana key arrangement)                       ║      43,000 ║ P/N 4773313                           ║
║ 5556002     ║ Keyboard type 2 (Hiragana key arrangement)                       ║      43,000 ║ for 3270                              ║
║ 5556003     ║ Keyboard type 3 (Katakana key arrangement)                       ║      43,000 ║ for 3270 (Old JIS Layout)             ║
║ 5556004     ║ Keyboard type 4 (Katakana key arrangement)                       ║      43,000 ║ for 5250 (Old JIS Layout) P/N 4773178 ║
║ 5556005     ║ Kanji Keyboard (for 5250 Kanji Emulation)                        ║     238,400 ║ B/G model only                        ║
║ 5556006     ║ Keyboard type 6                                                  ║             ║                                       ║
║ 5556007     ║ Keyboard type 7                                                  ║             ║                                       ║
║ 55560R1     ║ Keyboard type 1 (Hiragana key arrangement)                       ║             ║ Ricoh OEM                             ║
║ 55560R4     ║ Keyboard type 4 (Katakana key arrangement) (for Japanese 5250PC) ║             ║ Ricoh OEM                             ║
║ 5556A01     ║ Keyboard type A1                                                 ║      60,000 ║ for APL                               ║
║ 5556CC1     ║ Keyboard type C                                                  ║             ║ Export model for Taiwan P/N 6112800   ║
║ 5556KK1     ║ Keyboard type K                                                  ║             ║ Export model for Korea                ║
║ 5556M01     ║ Keyboard type M1 (Hiragana key arrangement)                      ║      63,000 ║                                       ║
║ 5556OP1     ║ Keyboard type H                                                  ║             ║ Export model for China                ║
║ 5556P01     ║ Keyboard type P1 (Hiragana key arrangement)                      ║      30,000 ║ P/N 5962851                           ║
║ 5556PR1     ║ Keyboard type P1 (Hiragana keyboard layout)                      ║             ║ Ricoh OEM                             ║
║ 5556R01     ║ Keyboard type AIUEO RPQ (Hiragana key arrangement)               ║             ║                                       ║
║ 5556R03     ║ Keyboard type AIUEO RPQ (Katakana key arrangement)               ║             ║ for 3270? (Old JIS Layout?)           ║
║ 5556W01     ║ Keyboard type W1 (Hiragana key arrangement)                      ║      43,000 ║ for Word Processor                    ║
╚═════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╩═════════════╩═══════════════════════════════════════╝
This is a list of every keyboard model offered with the IBM Multistation system (Not counting the IBM 5535 variants and its separate numpad...?), documented by these two websites:
https://www.ardent-tool.com/IBM_5550/option_1-e.html
http://ibm5550.na.coocan.jp/option_1.html

I really like these keyboards, but man... finding proper, keyboard-specific documentation for these keyboards is a pain in the ass! So, I decided to make this thread as a repository for these wonderful keyboards.

In general, there are two variants of these keyboards:
  • The older ones will have painted cases, come with feet that are molded a bit thicker, and the caps on the board will be Alps Electric ABS spherical doubleshots, with a unique, Multistation-only profile. It will have a 1-meter, coiled, smooth cable with black strain relief and connector.
  • The later ones will have unpainted cases, thinner-molded feet, and Alps Electric PBT dyesubs, colorway comparable to that of a P70 or other IBM Alps keyboards. It will have a shorter, coiled, longitudinally-ribbed cable (like those on the Pingmaster or 4704 keyboards) with gray strain relief and connector.
  • The switches in these keyboards range from black-switchplate Alps SKCL Greens to Alps SKCL Yellows, with a few exceptions which will be noted when that is the case.
Here's a comparison between the older (right) and newer (left) feet thickness:
Spoiler:
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So, let's go through the list.

IBM 5556-001: Keyboard Type 1 -- Hiragana, P/N: 4773313
Spoiler:

Not much to say about this model, exactly. This was presumably the first model of keyboards to be made with the Multistation system, perhaps for general use as it wasn't designed for a specific sort of emulation or anything. The keyboard retailed at ¥43,000.

Both variants of this keyboard have been found.
Old variant: https://imgur.com/a/IxjCsQ5
Picture source: Myself
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New variant: https://webwit.nl/input/ibm_japan/4773313/ https://imgur.com/a/Ug6WryM
Picture source: webwit and Sandy55
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IBM 5556-002: Keyboard Type 2 -- Hiragana, P/N: 4772976
Spoiler:

Very similar to Type 1, but four keys were changed as to be used for IBM 3270 terminal emulation. The keyboard retailed at ¥43,000.

Only the new variant of this keyboard has been found so far.
New variant:
Picture source: alh84001
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More pictures:
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IBM 5556-003: Keyboard Type 3 -- Katakana, P/N: 6052085
Spoiler:

According to the sources, this keyboard uses the old JIS layout (JIS C 6233-1972), and is intended for use in IBM 3270 terminal emulation. The keyboard retailed at ¥43,000.

Only the old variant of this keyboard has been found so far.
Old variant: https://imgur.com/a/XB79b2U
Picture source: Myself
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IBM 5556-004: Keyboard Type 4 -- Katakana, P/N: 4773178
Spoiler:

According to the sources, this keyboard uses the old JIS layout (JIS C 6233-1972), and is intended for use in IBM 5250 terminal emulation. The keyboard retailed at ¥43,000.

Both variants of this keyboard have been found.
Old variant: https://imgur.com/a/ttSeqn5
Picture source: ffilccoo and Sandy55
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New variant: https://imgur.com/a/ttSeqn5
Picture source: damonskv and Sandy55
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IBM 5556-005: Keyboard Type 5 -- Kanji
Spoiler:

This one is a weird one.

According to the sources, this keyboard was intended for use in IBM 5250 terminal emulation. The keyboard retailed at ¥238,400.
The keyboard requires an adapter, P/N: 4773169, to connect to the computer itself -- The adapter was another ¥150,000. The switches used are IBM Beamspring switches.

And there are multiple variants!! These different variants might be the Type 6 or 7 keyboards in this list.

Here's a variant: https://imgur.com/a/jCwHt
Picture source: nurupism
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And here's another -- apparently this one is in Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany. Note the different legends on the Alt, Reset, and Enter key. The forehead of the keyboard is also totally different, so it seems to be a totally different model.
Picture source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_input_method
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IBM 5556-006: Keyboard Type 6
Not enough information to document.

IBM 5556-007: Keyboard Type 7
Not enough information to document.

IBM 5556-0R1: Keyboard Type 1 -- Hiragana, Ricoh OEM
Not enough information to document.

IBM 5556-0R4: Keyboard Type 4 -- Katakana, Ricoh OEM
Not enough information to document.

IBM 5556-A01: Keyboard Type A1 -- APL Hiragana
Spoiler:

Not much to say about this model, aside from that it has APL legends to be used with the APL language. The keyboard retailed at ¥60,000.

Only the new variant of this keyboard has been found so far.
New variant: https://imgur.com/a/X3dYBN8
Picture source: https://aucview.aucfan.com/yahoo/k175138509/
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IBM 5556-CC1: Keyboard Type C -- Traditional Chinese, P/N: 6112800
Spoiler:

Comes with Zhuyin and Cangjie legends, the former in a nonstandard layout, for the Taiwanese market.

Only the new variant of this keyboard has been found so far.
New variant: https://imgur.com/a/4tQVuQw
Picture source: Myself
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IBM 5556-KK1: Keyboard Type K -- Hangul, P/N: 6341650
Spoiler:

Comes with Hangul legends for the Korean market. This keyboard seems to have an old variant of the Dubeolsik Hangul keyboard layout. This keyboard also seems to come with Alps SKCL Browns instead of Greens... something to do with Goldstar Alps, perhaps.

Only the old variant of this keyboard has been found so far.
Old variant: https://imgur.com/a/X3dYBN8
Picture source: 김용학, 카프리옹, 준바이, 팥알, and 환타맨
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IBM 5556-M01: Keyboard Type M1 -- Hiragana
There apparently is a mouse adapter built into this keyboard. Aside from that, and the retail price of ¥63,000, there isn't much more information known.

IBM 5556-OP1: Keyboard Type H -- Simplified Chinese, P/N: 6343766
Spoiler:

Comes with Simplified Chinese legends for the Chinese market. The layout is rather odd.... I'm not exactly sure what typing layout it is.

Both variants of this keyboard have been found.
Old variant: https://imgur.com/a/zhYbG
Picture source: oxchamballs
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New variant: https://imgur.com/a/9SzcsUZ
Picture source: Anonymous
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[Waiting for one more picture, which will go here]
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IBM 5556-P01: Keyboard Type P1 -- Hiragana, P/N: 5962851
Spoiler:

This seems to be the budget model of the Type 1 keyboard, retailing "only" at ¥30,000 instead of ¥43,000. The keyboard uses Alps SKFM switches, with ABS cylindrical doubleshot keycaps, akin to those on the IBM JX keyboards, as well as one of the IBM 5535 models. The case has a slightly different design, with cutouts in the spacers between clusters, as well as the IBM logo being an insert instead of being molded into the case itself. The keyboard also has a different, more simplified feet design. It also has a built-in mouse adapter.

Here is most likely the only variant:
Picture source: https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/au ... 1024720079, https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/544379026
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IBM 5556-PR1: Keyboard Type P1 -- Hiragana, Ricoh OEM
Not enough information to document.

IBM 5556-R01: Keyboard Type AIUEO RPQ -- Hiragana
This seems to be a Request-Per-Qualification (? -- I think that's what RPQ stands for) model, different in that it has the Japanese Gojūon-esque keyboard layout. I'm not sure exactly what it's called, but most likely it's the same Japanese layout as the Famicom Basic keyboard... you can search that up. It also apparently uses a dedicated support program to make it work. So far, this keyboard has not been found.

IBM 5556-R03: Keyboard Type AIUEO RPQ -- Katakana
In the same boat as the 5556-R01, this seems to be an RPQ model with the Gojūon-esque keyboard layout. However, it is also presumed to have the old JIS layout (JIS C 6233-1972) for modifiers, and that it is intended for use in IBM 3270 terminal emulation. So far, this keyboard has not been found.

IBM 5556-W01: Keyboard Type W1 -- Hiragana
This is a keyboard for the "Bunsho Program", the word processor program that came with the Multistation. Assignment of the function keys apparently is different from other keyboards. The keyboard retailed at ¥43,000. So far, this keyboard has not been found.


Then... there's also this:
IBM 3194: Keyboard Type ??? -- English, P/N: 64X9710
Spoiler:

I... don't know what's going on with this thing. I just don't know. It's not in the 5556 list because it isn't for a Multistation, but the keyboard clearly is from the same family. This keyboard can come with Alps SKCM Creams or SKCM Blacks instead of the ol' Green n Yellow. Apparently there are variants that has blue sublegends on the numpad as well... but I'm not sure about that. This thing is just all sorts of weird.

As for the legends, they are a bit thicker than the Chinese or Japanese variants -- it's pretty similar to, if not the same as, the P70 legend size.

Here is a variant: https://imgur.com/a/2HdgqfX
Picture source: Anonymous
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If you have pictures of any other variants, please let me know and post it in the thread as well! Same goes for any other information regarding these keyboards! I'd love to figure out what they all are some day.

Thanks for reading! :D

Re: Multistation Keyboard Repository

Posted: 11 Aug 2022, 06:30
by mcmaxmcmc
Reserved.

Re: Multistation Keyboard Repository

Posted: 11 Aug 2022, 12:58
by sharktastica
Very nice comprehensive list, these are some beautiful keyboards!
mcmaxmcmc wrote: 11 Aug 2022, 06:30 And here's another -- apparently this one is in Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany. Note the different legends on the Alt, Reset, and Enter key. The forehead of the keyboard is also totally different, so it seems to be a totally different model.
Picture source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_input_method
To add to this, the kanji beamer at the Deutsches Museum seems to be an IBM 5924-T01 Kanji Keypunch keyboard assembly and IBM 3270 series Display Station Keyboard. It can bee seen in the IBM History of Far Eastern Languages (1990s) IEEE paper. The 'sharper' front lip profile seems to match and there seems to be something resting where the right-side forehead cutout is.

The key details from the paper (spoilered to keep this 5556 thread tidier):
Spoiler:
3270-Kanji.png
3270-Kanji.png (113.1 KiB) Viewed 6869 times
IBM announced a new Kanji system in September 1979. It consisted of the IBM 3270 Kanji Information Display System (see Figure 1), the IBM 5924-T01 Kanji Keypunch, the IBM 3800-2 Kanji Printing Subsystem, and associated programming support in form of system software and utility programs
System in Figure 1 consisted of the IBM 3274 Model 52C Control Unit, the IBM 3278 Model 52 Display Unit equipped with a 12-shift key Kanji keyboard, and the IBM 3283 Model 52Printer.
The IBM 5924-T01 Kanji Keypunch was based on the IBM 029 and 129 card punch units and used the same 12-shift-key Kanji keyboard subsystem as the IBM 3278 Model 52 Display Unit. The keyboard subsystem was connected to the IBM 029 or 129 card punch via LSI logic and generated two-column punched holes on IBM 80-column cards, using ROM tables for code conversion.
The IBM 5924-T01 Kanji Keypunch was developed in collaboration between the IBM Japan Product Development Laboratory and the IBM Toronto, Canada, development laboratory. The IBM Raleigh Keyboard Product Engineering Laboratory developed the Kanji keyboard subassembly.
IBM History of Far Eastern Languages - 1990s.pdf
(1.1 MiB) Downloaded 140 times

Re: Multistation Keyboard Repository

Posted: 11 Aug 2022, 14:37
by depletedvespene
Should 5576 keyboards be included in this thread? If so, I'll share pictures of my 5576-002.

Re: Multistation Keyboard Repository

Posted: 11 Aug 2022, 17:36
by mcmaxmcmc
depletedvespene wrote: 11 Aug 2022, 14:37 Should 5576 keyboards be included in this thread? If so, I'll share pictures of my 5576-002.
Maybe later down the line... it took quite a long time for me to compile this list tbh, and I'm having less time than I used to. I think there's a list somewhere as well.

Re: Multistation Keyboard Repository

Posted: 19 Aug 2022, 01:42
by glados
USB Converter

Re: Multistation Keyboard Repository

Posted: 23 Aug 2022, 00:54
by goomba_
glados wrote: 19 Aug 2022, 01:42USB Converter
more info on this?

Re: Multistation Keyboard Repository

Posted: 13 Dec 2022, 16:34
by sharktastica
mcmaxmcmc wrote: 11 Aug 2022, 06:30 IBM 5556-004: Keyboard Type 4 -- Katakana, P/N: 4773178

According to the sources, this keyboard uses the old JIS layout (JIS C 6233-1972), and is intended for use in IBM 5250 terminal emulation.
I recently acquired some keyboard templates for IBM 5550 keyboards (IBM doc no. SX18-0760-0). I tried to translate it with Google Lens so take the accuracy with a pitch of salt of course, but I think you can get the gist of it.
Japanese 5250 personal computer Please use it when you operate
.
On the right side of the larger overlay, it says:
For Type IV keyboard
So this seems to nicely confirm and serve as some evidence that 5556-004 was seen as being for 5250 emulation usage!
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Re: Multistation Keyboard Repository

Posted: 16 Dec 2022, 00:19
by shine
beautiful post!
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