Weekly Classic Computer Trivia Question (20141215)

[Chuck Guzis]

On 12/22/2014 10:57 AM, Chuck Guzis wrote:

> "Anchors Aweigh" was also another favorite when the Navy brass showed
> up--and the Navy was usually a very good customer in those days.  It was
> said that CDC would have an order as soon as a new machine was
> announced.  Perhaps not true, but pretty nearly.

I should also add that the 60x (and probably 65x) 7-track tape drives 
were used to good effect.  Reading (and writing) short records caused 
the voice-coil valves switching the vacuum capstan flows made quite a 
loud (with recognizable pitch) sound.  The usual custom was to leave the 
tape door down to better hear it.  From memory, said noise was also 
quite audible when running some of the Navy Audit COBOL tests even with 
the door closed--so much so, that people on the other side of a room 
packed with noisy equipment could hear it quite distinctly.

--Chuck