IBM 1620 Restoration Project
Dave Babcock
For those not familiar with The Computer Museum History Center, check out the
following web sites:
http://www.tcm.org/html/history/
http://www.computerhistory.org/
It's a go!
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The Computer Museum History Center has given the official "go ahead" to a
project to restore it's IBM 1620 computer system to operating condition. I will
be leading the project with the help of one of the original IBM 1620 development
engineers and the owner of the only operational 1620 in the world.
The History Center has in it's collection an IBM 1620 Model 1. It is an 'F'
level machine with floating point, a card reader/punch interface (no card
reader/punch unit though) and a 1623 expanded memory unit. The console
typewriter is missing but we have a donor with one. At one time the machine
must have had a 1311 disk attached but the drive, 'J' gate interface and cables
were removed by a previous owner. Aside from the missing typewriter, the
hardware is complete and in good condition.
It is our plan to bring up the basic 1620 and 1623 that we currently have. If
other peripherals can be acquired, then we will consider restoring them as well.
A PC will be used as a program load device connected to the IBM 1620 through the
standard paper tape interface.
We are also developing an associated web site on the IBM 1620. The current
work-in-progress version can be accessed at:
http://reality.sgi.com/daveb/IBM1620/
Help needed
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We need help in quite a number of different areas: hardware trouble shooting
and repair, software design and coding, hardware design and implementation,
metal cabinetry work, logistics, documentation, web page authoring, tracking
down replacement parts, electrical wiring, technical consulting, photography,
typewriter repair, etc. If you have the time and the interest we could use
your help and skills.
The restoration work on the machine itself will be done at the History Center
in Mountain View, California. Much of the other work can be done at home. The
tenative plan is to have work days every other Saturday starting January 9th.
We don't expect people to come every time but enough times so that there is
continuity to the work being done. We understand the time constraints of
volunteers and appreciate the help and support that you give. While we don't
have a deadline, we want to make reasonable progress on the project.
We are still trying to locate more IBM 1620 Model 1 parts, peripherals and
documentation. Specifically, SMS cards, paper tape reader/punch, card reader/
punch, 1311 disk drive and interface circuitry, more 1620 software, level 'F'
schematics, 1620 manuals and books we don't already have, more information for
the 1620 web site, and CE tools. If you know of a source for any of this,
please let us know.
Are you interested?
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I am setting up two email aliases - one for those on the restoration team and
one for those who won't be able to help with the restoration but want to keep
in touch about the IBM 1620.
Please send me email and tell me which (or neither) of these email aliases
you would like to be on. If you can help with the restoration, let me know
what area(s) you'd like to be involved with.
The end
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I am very excited about this project and know that we'll be successful in
restoring this historic machine to operation.
Thank you for your time to read this and consider helping with our restoration
effort.
DaveB
[Dave Babcock, da...@sgi.com]