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For sentimental reasons I still carry around my Teletype ASCII reference card which is laid out this way. For extra retro goodness it shows the bits as holes on

For sentimental reasons I still carry around my Teletype ASCII reference card which is laid out this way. For extra retro goodness it shows the bits as holes on a paper tape with the feed holes and everything. When you have to design a device that does ASCII entirely mechanically then this is a efficient way to structure it. I would not be surprised to hear that mechanical considerations had a influence on the question of what bits went where. Added: OK, I have managed to not entirely surprise myself: * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII#Internal_organization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII#Internal_organization This seems to say that the influence was partially mechanical typewriters but the Teletype Model 33 entirely followed ASCII.

loco5niner 10y ago
> For sentimental reasons I still carry around my Teletype ASCII reference card which is laid out this way. Your comment inpired some googling. I found this chart, which although likely not the one you carry around, is pretty doggone cool too: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ASCII_Code_Chart-Quick_ref_card.jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ASCII_Code_Chart-Qui...
- GauntletWizard 10y ago
  Somebody want to pretty that up and put out some print-resolution (and/or good web designed) version? I've always used http://www.asciitable.com/ http://www.asciitable.com/ ; Not because it's well presented but because it's easy to remember. A 'better' ASCII table would be good for making this cool again, teaching the current generation some of the things they've missed.
  - syncsynchalt 10y ago
    Don't forget "man ascii". It's not laid out any better but might be more convenient for you.
- upofadown 10y ago
  I found a collection of Teletype (teleprinter?) code cards: * http://www.rtty.com/CODECARD/codecrd1.htm http://www.rtty.com/CODECARD/codecrd1.htm Mine is the one designated "Model 33/35 ASCII".
pmoriarty 10y ago
Could you please take a photo of that card and post the image up somewhere for posterity?

loco5niner 10y ago

> For sentimental reasons I still carry around my Teletype ASCII reference card which is laid out this way. Your comment inpired some googling. I found this chart, which although likely not the one you carry around, is pretty doggone cool too: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ASCII_Code_Chart-Quick_ref_card.jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ASCII_Code_Chart-Qui...

GauntletWizard 10y ago
Somebody want to pretty that up and put out some print-resolution (and/or good web designed) version? I've always used http://www.asciitable.com/ http://www.asciitable.com/ ; Not because it's well presented but because it's easy to remember. A 'better' ASCII table would be good for making this cool again, teaching the current generation some of the things they've missed.
- syncsynchalt 10y ago
  Don't forget "man ascii". It's not laid out any better but might be more convenient for you.
upofadown 10y ago
I found a collection of Teletype (teleprinter?) code cards: * http://www.rtty.com/CODECARD/codecrd1.htm http://www.rtty.com/CODECARD/codecrd1.htm Mine is the one designated "Model 33/35 ASCII".

pmoriarty 10y ago

Could you please take a photo of that card and post the image up somewhere for posterity?