Images relevant to the original IBM 7090This is a page of resources from my collection that contain images relevant to the original IBM 7090 computer system introduced in 1959. I did not have an IBM 7090 in my collection, but I did have the similar but later IBM 7094 and extra pieces including an authentic IBM 7090 data channel. Several parts of the IBM 7090 were used unchanged in or compatible with the IBM 7094. Blinking LightsVideos of the 7151 console made using the SimH simulator: Photo of the 7090 console with labels of the lights and switches.
IBM 7090 construction and debuggingThe mainframe cabinets each contain four huge gates that pull out in pairs and open up like a book so you can get at the circuit boards on the inside faces. The outside face of each gate is the wire-wrapped backplane that interconnects the circuit boards. This picture shows an oscilloscope probe of the era, the backplane pins, and both sides of a circuit card. The main power is 208 volts 3-phase Y, 150 amps. IBM 7090 documents with photographs
The Principles of Operation has photos of parts of the original 1959 machine on pages 6-8, 89, 97, 99 and 102. This is a later edition that includes peripherals that were not available in 1959, so there are other photos that can be disregarded. Photos of IBM 7094 units unchanged from the original IBM 7090
Photos of IBM 7094 units similar to or used with the original IBM 7090
Number of units and their dimensionsAn IBM 7090 installation would typically consist of the following units for the computer itself. These are listed in "visual" order, according to what an operator or visitor would see first in the computer room. The machine room would typically be large with a white raised floor consisting of 24" square tiles. It would have flourescent strip lighting set in an acoustic tile ceiling. The walls would be boring flat off-white. It was very noisy because of all the fans and blowers in the computer. (I don't have the dimensions of these yet)
In addition there are several other IBM machines that might be in the computer room.
There would also be a separate keypunch room, also containing each the other machines above but with many more keypunches. VideoA fellow who still repairs these machines made a video of some of them. Here is a specialized version of the keypunch just duplicating cards. And here is an accounting machine with the same card reader mechanism as the 711 console card reader. Where are they nowAs of 2016, I still have the pieces above marked (spare) in my collection. The IBM 7094 serial number 45 is now at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA. The blue tape drives are part of the IBM 1401 now at the Center for Technology and Innovation in Binghamton, NY. I have additional tape drives but they are not complete - visible parts are missing or broken. |