21 Aug
2008
21 Aug
'08
11:08 a.m.
I found some on Bitsavers.
There are MANY others (Bendix G15, and WISC for example).
I have been trying to dig out these sorts of things from the CHM archives as I can
find them, since there is much less information available on the actual implementation
details available on how first generation computers were actually built. They were often
very careful to minimize the number of active devices, since tubes are big and consume
lots of power.
This also helps explain why so many machines performed arithmetic serially.
21 Aug
21 Aug
5:44 p.m.
I have been trying to dig out these sorts of things
from the CHM archives
as I can
find them, since there is much less information available on the actual
implementation
details available on how first generation computers were actually built.
It should be noted that during the 1950s, far more tube logic sockets
were in military radar installations than in data processing machines.
The military tech manuals, which turn up from time to time, tend to be
very good at describing the circuits.
They were often
very careful to minimize the number of active devices, since tubes are big
and consume
lots of power.
I would bet the power issue was magnitudes more important than the
size issue. Back then, big was normal.
(one of my) Pet Peeve - when people use some big ass Compactron sweep
tube to represent a typical computer tube. Cripes!
--
Will
6:32 p.m.
On 21 Aug 2008 at 20:44, William Donzelli wrote:
(one of my) Pet Peeve - when people use some big ass
Compactron sweep
tube to represent a typical computer tube. Cripes!
Indeed, the first computer circuits I remember purchasing used dual-
triode submini tubes with wire leads--ISTR 6 of them per PCB. I
bought them for the tubes used as VHF amplifiers--and the silvered
mica caps on the boards. The tubes themselves were mounted on metal
plates on either side of the PCB and in spring clips and had round
bases, not the flat ones that you'd find in a Pixie radio (my first
2N109 went into a socket scavenged from one of those). Most likely
from some military gear.
Got 'em from one of the surplus places on S. Michigan in Chicago--
back when surplus was good pickings...
Cheers,
Chuck
9:07 p.m.
Indeed, the first computer circuits I remember
purchasing used dual-
triode submini tubes with wire leads--ISTR 6 of them per PCB. I
bought them for the tubes used as VHF amplifiers--and the silvered
mica caps on the boards. The tubes themselves were mounted on metal
plates on either side of the PCB and in spring clips and had round
bases, not the flat ones that you'd find in a Pixie radio (my first
2N109 went into a socket scavenged from one of those). Most likely
from some military gear.
AN/UPA-24 SIF decoder, maybe.
One of these days I will get a complete all tube IFF SIF set working.
Hey, its octal, so its cool.
--
Will
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