Model of an IBM System 360 Computer
date: label: date made
content: ca 1964
label: date received
content: 2013
name: label: maker
content: IBM
notes: label: Description
content: In 1964 IBM Corporation announced a new family of room-sized computers, the IBM 360 System. It included several models of differing cost and capabilities. These embraced a full circle of computer applications, from business data processing to sophisticated science and engineering; hence the name 360. To sell the new product, IBM salesmen used scale models like this one. It shows the smallest IBM 360 System, the 30. Depending on the components selected, it rented for between $2,700 and $20,000 per month. More powerful versions of the System/360 rented for around $115,000 per month.
label: Description
content: Components include the central processing unit with control panel (attached is a desk with the printer-keyboard), a disc storage unit, three forms of tape drive, a disk storage drive, and a printer with paper. Most systems also would have included a card punch and a card reader. Each room-sized computer had its own staff who prepared programs on punched cards or magnetic tape, entered them into computers, maintained the circuitry, and delivered results. If an organization acquired one of the machines, most employees would never see it.
label: Description
content: The IBM 360 proved a highly successful product worldwide. This model was used by Timothy J. Bergin first in teaching computer science and then in exhibits at American University.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: IBM, <I> IBM System / 360 Installation Manual - Physical Planning</I>.
label: Description
content: E. W. Pugh, L. R. Johnson and J. H. Palmer, <I>IBM's 360 and Early 370 Systems</I>, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1991.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
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: American Enterprise
publisher: label: Related Publication
content: Sewer, Andy; Allison, David; Liebhold, Peter; Davis, Nancy; Franz, Kathleen G.. American Enterprise: A History of Business in America
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Tim Bergin
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2013.0129.02
label: accession number
content: 2013.0129
label: catalog number
content: 2013.0129.02
objectType: label: Object Name
content: mainframe computer model
label: Object Name
content: computer model
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: wood (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: plastic (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: paper (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 15.2 cm x 74 cm x 47 cm; 5 31/32 in x 29 1/8 in x 18 1/2 in