Mainframe Computer Component, RCA 501 Tape Station
date: label: Date made
content: after 1961
name: label: maker
content: RCA Corporation
notes: label: Description
content: This transistorized unit was used to read, write, and erase binary characters on mylar-based magnetic tape for entry into the RCA 501 computer. The central rack assembly has components for reading, writing, and erasing magnetic tape. These include a tape transport mechanism, amplifiers, control circuits, and a power supply. This example has a single tape reel.
label: Description
content: The rack assembly fits into a specially built cabinet, from which it could be removed. In this instance the cabinet is painted blue-gray and white. Each RCA 501 computer had at least 6 tape stations. Depending on the components selected, the entire computer system rented for $11,700 to $20,445 per month. Should a business choose to buy the system, the list price of one magnetic tape station alone was $25,000 – $30,000. This is over twice the price of a typical American single family house at the time.
label: Description
content: The tape station is marked on the inside at the center toward the top: R58111. It is marked on the inside of the lower portion of the cabinet: RCA (/) MI SER 1515 (/) RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA. A plaque attached to the right side of the cabinet is marked : UNIVAC SPERRY RAND (/) SERIES 70. The form of the Sperry Rand trademark on the plaque was, according to trademark records, first used in commerce in 1967.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: "Tape Station," RCA 501 Electronic Data Processing System, Catalog EDP 581, Camden, N.J.: Radio Corporation of America, 1958.
label: Description
content: Martin H. Weik, "A Third Survey of Domestic Electronic Digital Computing Systems," Aberdeen Proving Ground: Ballistics Research Laboratories, March, 1961, pp. 778-803.
label: Description
content: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Historical Census of Housing Tables Home Values. Available online.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: Place Made
content: United States: New Jersey, Camden
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Computers
label: See more items in
content: Computers & Business Machines
label: See more items in
content: COBOL
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Connecticut General Life Insurance
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1979.0418.06
label: catalog number
content: 1979.0418.06
label: accession number
content: 1979.0418
objectType: label: Object Name
content: mainframe
label: Object Name
content: mainframe computer
label: Object Name
content: mainframe computer peripheral
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: overall: 69 in x 44 in x 18 in; 175.26 cm x 111.76 cm x 45.72 cm