29 Jul
2026
29 Jul
'26
7:19 a.m.
I think it is rather unlikely that relatively recent DEC
machines had any asbestos in them. Possibly some very old
machines from the 1950's and 1960's might. I know some old
PDP-8's had mercury power contactors in them. I can't
imagine where one would use asbestos in a computer. You
mention tape drive braking mechanisms. I don't recall ANY
DEC tape drive that had a "braking mechanism", all control
of the reels was done electronically.
Jon
The Datamec Model D2020 1/2" magnetic tape drive from the 1960s has a
mechanical brake. The drive became the HP 7975A tape drive which was sold
by DEC as the TU20 tape drive.
--
Michael Thompson