IBM Selectric typeballs. Typeballs were a new typesetting technology used by the IBM Selectric typewriters. When the typewriter was operated, the typeball rotated to select the right letter, followed by striking the paper. The typeballs could be changed to select different fonts and characters, making it ideal for use in the printing industry and marking the start of desktop publishing. The IBM Selectric typewriter was first introduced in 1961, but this typeballs are for a 1975 model called the Electronic Composer. Each typeball has a clip used to secure it in the typewriter.