Admiral Shark
@sharktastica.co.uk
Hi, I share retro IBM keyboards, PCs & ThinkPads! - Welsh 🏴, he/him, software engineer, Debian user, lover of sharks, rock, metal, Star Trek & Stargate! #LLAP
Website: https://sharktastica.co.uk
Socials: https://linktr.ee/sharktastica
Subreddit: /r/modelm
Website: https://sharktastica.co.uk
Socials: https://linktr.ee/sharktastica
Subreddit: /r/modelm
Pinned
Admiral Shark
@sharktastica.co.uk
· Nov 16
Hi, I'm Admiral Shark, and I've been on a mission to collect, research and document IBM, Lexmark, Unicomp, Lenovo & TGCS keyboards for 5 years for posterity! I also enjoy PCs, ThinkPads, terminals & POS equipment.
Site: sharktastica.co.uk
Socials: linktr.ee/sharktastica
Reddit: reddit.com/r/modelm
Site: sharktastica.co.uk
Socials: linktr.ee/sharktastica
Reddit: reddit.com/r/modelm
The IBM Leapfrog prototype tablet computer's design patent turns 33 today! Have a gander at this incredible design from the late Richard Sapper and Samuel Lucente: sharktastica.co.uk/topics/keybo...
U.S. Design Patent 364,144 (USD364144S) | Keyboard Patents
ASK Keyboard Patents database entry for U.S. Design Patent 364,144 (USD364144S)
sharktastica.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
The IBM Leapfrog prototype tablet computer's design patent turns 33 today! Have a gander at this incredible design from the late Richard Sapper and Samuel Lucente: sharktastica.co.uk/topics/keybo...
Only took 20 years to name them! www.firefox.com/en-US/kit/
Say hi to Kit
The Firefox brand is getting a refresh and you get the first look
www.firefox.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Only took 20 years to name them! www.firefox.com/en-US/kit/
YAY, a migraine! 😊 I honestly feel like taking Corey Taylor's advice to push my fingers into my eyes.
October 31, 2025 at 2:57 AM
YAY, a migraine! 😊 I honestly feel like taking Corey Taylor's advice to push my fingers into my eyes.
A complete rewrite of my IBM Model M6 & M6-1 buckling sleeve keyboard article is just around the corner! I can't wait to finally publish, further celebrating the OG #ThinkPad keyboard and present fresh research on the Lexmark Lexbook. For now, enjoy this comparison of the major M6/M6-1 design types!
October 30, 2025 at 11:01 PM
A complete rewrite of my IBM Model M6 & M6-1 buckling sleeve keyboard article is just around the corner! I can't wait to finally publish, further celebrating the OG #ThinkPad keyboard and present fresh research on the Lexmark Lexbook. For now, enjoy this comparison of the major M6/M6-1 design types!
Reposted by Admiral Shark
Gotta make sure they are comfy and tucked in for the night.
October 21, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Gotta make sure they are comfy and tucked in for the night.
4:23am. Who needs sleep, anyway?
October 24, 2025 at 3:23 AM
4:23am. Who needs sleep, anyway?
Happy 41st birthday to the #Wheelwriter and #IBMModelM keyboard family! On 16th October 1984, IBM announced the Wheelwriter 3, Wheelwriter 5 and Quietwriter 7 electronic typewriters. These typewriters featured a then-new take on the buckling spring keyboard design, the Model M!
October 16, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Happy 41st birthday to the #Wheelwriter and #IBMModelM keyboard family! On 16th October 1984, IBM announced the Wheelwriter 3, Wheelwriter 5 and Quietwriter 7 electronic typewriters. These typewriters featured a then-new take on the buckling spring keyboard design, the Model M!
Oh my, an original IBM Model B!
October 14, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Oh my, an original IBM Model B!
I miss Lower Decks so much. Thank you for creating such a wonderful series and entry to the franchise, my favourite modern Trek.
Feels weird to not have Solar or Lower Decks in production anymore. So proud of what we accomplished on both shows in very different ways. Thank you to everyone on both productions, and to all the fans who tuned in!!
October 14, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I miss Lower Decks so much. Thank you for creating such a wonderful series and entry to the franchise, my favourite modern Trek.
RIP mainstream #Windows10. Remember that if 11 says your hardware is "too old", it's probably not true. There are alternatives to help negate the possible e-waste disaster incoming. 10 LTSC is one, but it won't last forever. In the meantime/as an alternative, please consider giving #Linux a shot.
October 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM
RIP mainstream #Windows10. Remember that if 11 says your hardware is "too old", it's probably not true. There are alternatives to help negate the possible e-waste disaster incoming. 10 LTSC is one, but it won't last forever. In the meantime/as an alternative, please consider giving #Linux a shot.
The original #IBM #TrackPoint design patent turns 35 today! It's not the #ThinkPad "nipple", "nub", etc. you may be expecting, but a mouse for the IBM PS/2 L40 SX laptop that can function as a trackball or a ball mouse depending on what side you use it!
sharktastica.co.uk/topics/paten...
sharktastica.co.uk/topics/paten...
U.S. Design Patent 5,063,289 (US5063289A) | Keyboard Patents
ASK Keyboard Patents database entry for U.S. Design Patent 5,063,289 (US5063289A)
sharktastica.co.uk
October 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
The original #IBM #TrackPoint design patent turns 35 today! It's not the #ThinkPad "nipple", "nub", etc. you may be expecting, but a mouse for the IBM PS/2 L40 SX laptop that can function as a trackball or a ball mouse depending on what side you use it!
sharktastica.co.uk/topics/paten...
sharktastica.co.uk/topics/paten...
The IBM 024/026 Card Punch design patent turns 76 years old today! sharktastica.co.uk/topics/paten...
U.S. Design Patent 160,720 (USD160720S) | Keyboard Patents
ASK Keyboard Patents database entry for U.S. Design Patent 160,720 (USD160720S)
sharktastica.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The IBM 024/026 Card Punch design patent turns 76 years old today! sharktastica.co.uk/topics/paten...
Reposted by Admiral Shark
A very late entry for #ThinkPadThursday, a short tour and discussion about the #ThinkPad R52. Neat machine that gave me an opportunity to talk about some stories I've collected over the years. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy98...
Examining the IBM ThinkPad R52
YouTube video by Laptop Retrospective
www.youtube.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
A very late entry for #ThinkPadThursday, a short tour and discussion about the #ThinkPad R52. Neat machine that gave me an opportunity to talk about some stories I've collected over the years. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy98...
I may have caught the #FrutigerAero bug. I also think #WindowsVista and #Windows7 were the best-looking operating systems. Thus, I've been working on a new theme option for Admiral Shark's Keyboards that looks a lot like Aero! Some screenshots of what is to come... WIP, of course.
October 1, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I may have caught the #FrutigerAero bug. I also think #WindowsVista and #Windows7 were the best-looking operating systems. Thus, I've been working on a new theme option for Admiral Shark's Keyboards that looks a lot like Aero! Some screenshots of what is to come... WIP, of course.
Happy 55th birthday to two literal giants of the IBM keyboard world! sharktastica.co.uk/wiki?id=ibm3...
IBM 3210 & 3215 Console Printer-Keyboards
Information on the IBM 3210 and 3215 Printer-Keyboards for IBM System/370 mainframes
sharktastica.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Happy 55th birthday to two literal giants of the IBM keyboard world! sharktastica.co.uk/wiki?id=ibm3...
My website and continuing mission for #IBM, #Lexmark, #Unicomp, #Lenovo and #TGCS #keyboard excellence has reached its sixth year! Like most past years, I have written this post to go over everything we achieved since September 2024 and to give my thanks! sharktastica.co.uk/announcement...
Six years of Admiral Shark's Keyboards
Celebration of the six-year anniversary of Admiral Shark's Keyboards!
sharktastica.co.uk
September 12, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Admiral Shark
Whilst I was archiving some #IBM documents for my posterity and research, I came across these #Lenovo #ThinkPad paper models amongst the IBM/Lenovo Japan lot! You print, trim, and then assemble. I have not found other language versions. Download links in subsequent comments.
August 16, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Wake up, a new ASK wiki page has landed! The 75 & 87-key #IBM Model F buckling spring keyboards for the 3104 Display Terminal and 3178 Display Station! Often called "blue switch" keyboards, referring to their charming monocase/dualcase switch on their forehead. sharktastica.co.uk/wiki?id=mode...
Model F 3104/3178 Base Keyboards
Information on the IBM 3104 and 3178 Base Keyboards, amongst IBM's last unique terminal keyboards before embracing ANSI and ISO layouts.
sharktastica.co.uk
August 12, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Wake up, a new ASK wiki page has landed! The 75 & 87-key #IBM Model F buckling spring keyboards for the 3104 Display Terminal and 3178 Display Station! Often called "blue switch" keyboards, referring to their charming monocase/dualcase switch on their forehead. sharktastica.co.uk/wiki?id=mode...
I recently revamped this wiki page on these absolute units of a console for #IBM System/370 #mainframe models 135, 145 and 155! Depending on exact model, these weight between 42kg and 130kg... sharktastica.co.uk/wiki?id=ibm3...
IBM 3210 & 3215 Console Printer-Keyboards
Information on the IBM 3210 and 3215 Printer-Keyboards for IBM System/370 mainframes
sharktastica.co.uk
August 6, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I recently revamped this wiki page on these absolute units of a console for #IBM System/370 #mainframe models 135, 145 and 155! Depending on exact model, these weight between 42kg and 130kg... sharktastica.co.uk/wiki?id=ibm3...
Dr Pepper mixed with a bit of Fanta Fruit Twist goes hard.
July 30, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Dr Pepper mixed with a bit of Fanta Fruit Twist goes hard.
New page dropped! I created this as a new sources database for future research and articles, but it doubles as a very nice gallery! Besides keyboards, there are also relevant IBM mainframe, #Selectric, #ThinkPad and #TrackPoint patents as well. sharktastica.co.uk/topics/patents
Keyboard Patents
A gallery list of patents relating to IBM and family keyboard, typewriter and keypunch technology
sharktastica.co.uk
July 27, 2025 at 10:17 PM
New page dropped! I created this as a new sources database for future research and articles, but it doubles as a very nice gallery! Besides keyboards, there are also relevant IBM mainframe, #Selectric, #ThinkPad and #TrackPoint patents as well. sharktastica.co.uk/topics/patents
Hello, it's been a while. I recently got this #ThinkPad #R500! It is a good configuration with a 1680x1050 display and ATI 3470. I dropped a T9600 and 8GB RAM into this and installed #Debian, and it's golden. The thing is thicc and sturdy, and has great hinges. Honestly, much prefer this to my T400.
July 17, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Hello, it's been a while. I recently got this #ThinkPad #R500! It is a good configuration with a 1680x1050 display and ATI 3470. I dropped a T9600 and 8GB RAM into this and installed #Debian, and it's golden. The thing is thicc and sturdy, and has great hinges. Honestly, much prefer this to my T400.
I added this patent diagram to my IBM Model M Enhanced Keyboard 40th birthday article from last month. From 18th March 1985, I believe this to be the earliest published depiction of an Enhanced Keyboard!
Article: sharktastica.co.uk/articles/enh...
Patent: patents.google.com/patent/USD29...
Article: sharktastica.co.uk/articles/enh...
Patent: patents.google.com/patent/USD29...
June 21, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I added this patent diagram to my IBM Model M Enhanced Keyboard 40th birthday article from last month. From 18th March 1985, I believe this to be the earliest published depiction of an Enhanced Keyboard!
Article: sharktastica.co.uk/articles/enh...
Patent: patents.google.com/patent/USD29...
Article: sharktastica.co.uk/articles/enh...
Patent: patents.google.com/patent/USD29...