IBM 1620

The IBM 1620 ( produced or in operation 1959-1970 ) was an early, mid-sized, programmable computer punch cards from IBM for scientific users. In addition to the basic type I, the improved type II was produced later. The extension to the model 1710/1720 was in principle possible, the model 1401 was designed for similar tasks from the economy. The prototype of the type III was no longer in production, development line went to the System/360 Model over.

Essential components of the computer system

  • CPU unit with Magnetic core memory with about 50 kHz clock frequency
  • Console ( Blue-Black console, lamps like LED) and
  • Processing unit (actual CPU) with 1-2 MHz (transistors ), typical instruction times, some 100 microseconds for fixed-point operations

Periphery

Available were:

  • Trommelplotter for continuous paper, type 1627 or Calcomp 565 to operate with a controller of type 1626. Perhaps the non-IBM device for connection to IBM systems.
  • ( Hard ) disk controller- type with replaceable 1311 Winchester disks of type 1316. Each 6 plates per stack. Refrigerator size.
  • Quick Printer Type 1443

Other comments

  • The internal code name was CADET, " Computer with ADvanced Economic Technology". After a corporate change of the development site also " Can not Add, Does not Even Try", however, was due to a technical peculiarity of the circuits in use.
  • The design was intended as a rival to the computers Librascope LGP -30 and Bendix G-15, both still with drum storage and tubes.
  • The computer already had FORTRAN as a high-level language, in addition to the compiler also a kind of interpreter for debugging was available.
  • The military- fictional film Colossus computer was assembled from various consoles of type 1620. IBM was just beginning at this time to let the guy run out in 1620.
  • The Type 1620 was ( allegedly) the first computer system from IBM, whose monthly rental costs were less than the actual type number.
  • The first TV extrapolation in German Bundestag elections in 1965 prepared by the Institute for Applied Social Sciences with an IBM 1620.
  • The structural analysis of the main parts of the World Trade Center was calculated on an IBM -1620 computer.
  • Jacques -Yves Cousteau used a IBM 1620 at the Institute of Monaco at current calculations and data analysis in the context of Conself project. The computer ( in the form of the console and the perforated tape device ) is in the Cousteau documentary " Three weeks in the underwater city " seen briefly from 1966.
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