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    "They were very slow to use" - this is the main reason behind the oldest UNIX programs being so cryptically named - ls, rm, cp, etc. Only having to type two characters rather than four on one of these things is a significant saving!
    – Muzer
    Commented Apr 19, 2017 at 9:06
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    @Muzer: Indeed so, and also why on games like Adventure, you entered single character commands.
    – Chenmunka
    Commented Apr 19, 2017 at 9:23
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    However, it's probably important to remember that since the output was printed, backspace simply moved the location of the printhead and didn't (and couldn't) actually erase the character.
    – Edward
    Commented Apr 19, 2017 at 11:43
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    That's also why you have back space and delete instead of just a single key that erases the last character typed. Back space moved the type head back one and also the paper tape. Delete sends a delete character to the computer (if connected) and punches a line of holes in the paper tape which would obliterate any existing character there. This is why ASCII DEL is 0x7f
    – JeremyP
    Commented Apr 19, 2017 at 12:03
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    @TripeHound This is an ASR-33 or something very similar - produced by the Teletype Corporation. The type head was a cylinder. The golf ball/typeball was an IBM invention and available from IBM only.
    – davidbak
    Commented Apr 19, 2017 at 17:55