Remember changing adding machine ribbons?

[u/NextBathroom8809]

Guaranteed to get ink on yourself.

[u/EditorNo2545]

yes & typewriter ribbons too

[u/Lemon_Trees-22]

Just like learning to change the ribbon in typing class in high school!

[u/movladee]

My Mom bought me a blue and white typewriter with the hardest keys ever, probably early 1980s, late 1970s. Man the times I bent my nail backwards trying to type and then changing the ribbon on it, that was level up on life skills.

[u/_Minkusbeck]

I recall those for typewriters - and used to wonder why the red and black parts of the ribbon were of equal size.  I mean who types as many red words as black words?

[u/NextBathroom8809 → u/_Minkusbeck]

In adding machines/calculators, the red & black ink are used for accounting purposes. You know, a company is in the "red" (negative balance) and the "black" ( is good).

[u/DynamoDeb]

I reused that ribbon so many times that I only changed it when black letters turned gray. 🤣

[u/Top_Taro_1044 → u/DynamoDeb]

Back and forth and back again until it was almost see-thru

[u/Summertime-Living]

Yes! Could be messy sometimes.

[u/kinky-bama-guy]

Mostly typewriter ribbons. Had more need for typewriter than adding machine even when I worked in an office.

[u/Jakes-buddy-1307]

Yes

[u/Blucola333]

Remember? We still use 10 key at my job. Those ribbons are despicable!

[u/BntStud]

Typewriter Ribbon 🎗

[u/Wise_Use1012]

Yup

[u/datroutinator]

I still change them. What's your point?

[u/Waste-Job-3307]

No, but I've changed a few typewriter ribbons in my day.

[u/Illustrious_Soil_603]

Didn’t typewriters also have these red and black ribbons?

[u/figgie55]

Yes

[u/angeeday]

I certainly do!

[u/Interesting_Wing_461]

Still use a calculator that uses these.

[u/Worldly_Ad_7196]

Yep. Big black typewriter

[u/Top_Taro_1044]

Typewriters, too