IBM Electronic Composer. This model of typewriter is an example of an IBM Selectric typewriter, all of which used typeballs (one see at centre left). This was a ball that rotated to select the right letter, followed by striking the paper. These balls could be changed to select different fonts and characters, making it ideal for use in the printing industry. The IBM Selectric typewriter was first introduced in 1961, but this model, the Electronic Composer, was introduced in 1975. It was typewriters like this that made desktop publishing possible.