On 16 Jun 2009, at 18:00, cctalk-request at
classiccmp.org wrote:
From: Warren Wolfe <lists at databasics.us>
Roger Holmes wrote:
My machine was killed off by the introduction of
the 360, i.e. its
older.
The ICT1301 was announced 1959 and my one (the first to leave the
factory) was shipped in 1962.
The IBM 360 was I understand announced in 1965, probably shipped
quite
soon after.
You have the FIRST computer of a type manufactured and shipped in
1962?
Yes that's right. The University of London twisted ICT's arm by saying
if they did not fulfil the order, there would not be any undergraduate
intake in 1962 and they would make sure everybody knew who was to
blame. ICT made an extra prototype machine and shipped it. Every few
weeks a group of engineers would come out and spend a day fitting the
latest modifications to the prototype to bring it up to date. Students
were not allowed anywhere near the machine, it was used purely for
administrative purposes, plus putting examination results into grades
and printing the pass slips and certificates. On de-commissioning it
was offered to some engineering students who ran it as a bureaux come
commune (this was the 1960s) on a what customers could afford basis.
For instance it handled the membership list of the legalise cannabis
movement which could not afford much but did not want their data got
at by the authorities. That generated a few problems with the powers
that be for the then owners. I bought it from them around 1977.
That is a truly major score. That's freaking HISTORIC. Good lord, do
you store it in your house?
It would not fit in my house. It is in a barn that used to be used for
breeding rabbits (there's a job you'd think was easy) until they were
wiped out by myxomatosis and the owners went bust.
How much power does it use?
13kVA three phase. It weighs about five tons and occupies 700 square
feet.
Roger Holmes.
Warren