Early Computing at York University -- Photographs
Dublin Core
Title
Early Computing at York University -- Photographs
Subject
computing infrastructure: photographs
Description
Historical context:
Academic computing in Canada started to develop in the early 1950s. The first commercial digital electronic computer—a Ferranti Mark I (nicknamed FERRUT)—was installed at the University of Toronto in 1952. For several years, FERRUT was the only digital electronic computer operated by a Canadian university. In 1957, the University of British Columbia installed its first computer—the ALWWAC III-E—and the University of Alberta its LGP-30 computer.
York University was established in 1959 at a time when there were just 40 electronic digital computers working in the entire Canada. However, it was not until October 1966 when York installed its first computer—the IBM System \360 Model 30—and established its Computation Center. The computer was replaced by a more powerful IBM System/360 Model 40, and then by Model 50 in the following two years. In 1971, York installed an IBM System/370 Model 155 — a computer from a new line of IBM mainframes. This computer, in turn, was replaced by a high-end Model 158 in the mid 1970s.
The photographs in this collection were taken in the early to mid 1970s. They depict the computing room of York's Computation Center as well as students' keypunch room. Identity of photographers not currently known.
The photograph descriptions from top to bottom, left to right:
Academic computing in Canada started to develop in the early 1950s. The first commercial digital electronic computer—a Ferranti Mark I (nicknamed FERRUT)—was installed at the University of Toronto in 1952. For several years, FERRUT was the only digital electronic computer operated by a Canadian university. In 1957, the University of British Columbia installed its first computer—the ALWWAC III-E—and the University of Alberta its LGP-30 computer.
York University was established in 1959 at a time when there were just 40 electronic digital computers working in the entire Canada. However, it was not until October 1966 when York installed its first computer—the IBM System \360 Model 30—and established its Computation Center. The computer was replaced by a more powerful IBM System/360 Model 40, and then by Model 50 in the following two years. In 1971, York installed an IBM System/370 Model 155 — a computer from a new line of IBM mainframes. This computer, in turn, was replaced by a high-end Model 158 in the mid 1970s.
The photographs in this collection were taken in the early to mid 1970s. They depict the computing room of York's Computation Center as well as students' keypunch room. Identity of photographers not currently known.
The photograph descriptions from top to bottom, left to right:
- IBM System/370 with an IBM 3215 Console Printer-Keyboard at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- IBM System/370 with an IBM 3215 Console Printer-Keyboard at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- Memorex 660 Disk Drive storage at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- IBM 3420 tape drive systems at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- IBM 1403 printer (foreground), IBM 3705A communications controller (background left) and IBM 3420 tape drives (background front) at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- HP 2000 computer operator at York's Computer Center; on the right, an HP 2000 computer (mid 1970s?),
- IBM System/370 Model 158 operator at computer's terminal at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- IBM System/370 Model 158 operator at computer's terminal at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- IBM 3420 tape drives at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- IBM 3333 disk drive storage units at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?)
- IBM 3333 disk drive storage units at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- Backup disk storage at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- IBM 3705A communications controller at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- HP 2000 Data System at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?)
- IBM 3213 console printer and Datacom 100 teleprinter at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- IBM 2741 terminal at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- modems at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- Vucom I display terminal at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?),
- students' keypunch room at York University (1972?),
- students in keypunch room at York University (1972?); the person on the right is Enio Presutto, one of the promoters of the APL programming language at York University,
- IBM 2741 APL terminal in student's keypunch room at York University (1972?),
- IBM 29 punch card terminal in students' keypunch room at York University (1972?).
Creator
photographer unknown
Date
1972 (?)
Relation
York University
Format
digital image of photographs
Type
digital image
Coverage
York University, Toronto, 1972-1973
Contribution Form
Online Submission
No
Files
Citation
photographer unknown, “Early Computing at York University -- Photographs,” York University Computer Museum Canada, accessed December 31, 2024, https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/items/show/153.