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Dual Standard · 29th Dec 2018, 12:09 pm

The terminals in the first photo are mostly IBM 3278's which date from the late 1970's / early 1980's though there are a few slightly later ones hidden in there. At first glance the tape drives on the far left of the second photo look like IBM 3420's (mid/late 1970's) but a closer look reveals they are a 3rd party equivalent, the youtube video moves around too fast in the machine room to make out the manufacturers name. The 1980s fits in with the dates on some of the computer printouts in the video too.

The 3278 proved that someone in manufacturing had a sense of humor. Underneath the screen there is a cover that can be removed to reveal the large 'D' type keyboard connector, a BNC socket for the data coax, the usual kettle lead style power connector and a power supply fuse. Next to the fuse was a small label 'fuse 2amp slow blow p/n945374', the normal cause of a blown fuse was a defective power supply so the engineer would usually order a new power supply and half a dozen fuses. The next day a power supply would arrive - along with a little bag containing six labels.
Still makes me smile even now.

Mike

29th Dec 2018, 12:09 pm	#7
Dual Standard Hexode Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Cheshire, UK. Posts: 263	Re: Vintage computers abandoned in factory The terminals in the first photo are mostly IBM 3278's which date from the late 1970's / early 1980's though there are a few slightly later ones hidden in there. At first glance the tape drives on the far left of the second photo look like IBM 3420's (mid/late 1970's) but a closer look reveals they are a 3rd party equivalent, the youtube video moves around too fast in the machine room to make out the manufacturers name. The 1980s fits in with the dates on some of the computer printouts in the video too. The 3278 proved that someone in manufacturing had a sense of humor. Underneath the screen there is a cover that can be removed to reveal the large 'D' type keyboard connector, a BNC socket for the data coax, the usual kettle lead style power connector and a power supply fuse. Next to the fuse was a small label 'fuse 2amp slow blow p/n945374', the normal cause of a blown fuse was a defective power supply so the engineer would usually order a new power supply and half a dozen fuses. The next day a power supply would arrive - along with a little bag containing six labels. Still makes me smile even now. Mike