Tape, data processing

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Ingenium, 1993.0187.005
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OBJECT TYPE: magnetic
DATE: 1967–1968
ARTIFACT NUMBER: 1993.0187.005

MANUFACTURER: Syncom
MODEL: Gridtst 1/ Gridtst 2
LOCATION: United States of America

More Information

General Information

Serial #: N/A
Part Number: 5
Total Parts: 13
AKA: N/A
Patents: N/A
General Description: Synthetic casing and tape with paper labels

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length: 20.3 cm
Width: 18.7 cm
Height: 2.4 cm
Thickness: N/A
Weight: N/A
Diameter: N/A
Volume: N/A

Lexicon

Group: Computing Technology
Category: Digital peripheral devices
Sub-Category: N/A

Manufacturer

AKA: Syncom
Country: United States of America
State/Province: Unknown
City: Unknown

Context

Country: Canada
State/Province: Ontario
Period: C.1977-1990
Canada: AMERICAN-MADE EQUIPMENT USED BY CANADIAN FIRM, NORTHWAY MAPPING TECHNOLOGY OF TORONTO, IN GENERATION OF COMPUTERIZED MAPS OF CANADA. IN 1990 IT WAS PURCHASED BY GENTIAN ELECTRONICS IN ORDER TO REFURBISH & OPERATE EQUIPMENT. BUT THIS DID NOT OCCUR AS TECHNOLOGY WAS SLOW & OUTDATED BY 1990'S STANDARDS.
Function: A storage medium used to store large quantities of computer data, consisting of a plastic tape coated with a magnetic material on which information is stored in the form of magnetized spots.
Technical: EARLY DRUM PLOTTER DESIGNED FOR ENGINEERING DRAFTING BUT ALSO SUITABLE FOR OTHER COMPUTER APPLICATIONS. IT REPRESENTS SIGNIFICANT CHANGE FROM & IMPROVEMENT OVER EARLIER PLOTTERS, & IS FROM PERIOD WHEN APPLICATION OF MINI COMPUTERS WAS BEING WIDELY EXTENDED TO CONTROL OF PROCESSES & OPERATIONS SUCH AS TECHNICAL DRAWING. IT CONTAINED STATE-OF-THE-ART MINI COMPUTER & DRUM-CONTROLLING SOFTWARE & MOTORS.
Area Notes: Unknown

Details

Markings: In dark red in two areas on the red label around the centre: "SYNCRON/ CERTIFIED FOR USE AT 800 BPI/3200 FCI/6250 BPI"/ In off-white letters in two areas on the red label: "SYNCOM"/ In off-white letters on the smaller red label on the proper front: "THIS REEL/ CERTIFIED/ TOTAL SURFACE/ 6250 BPI"/ Written on the tape label on the proper front: "1) GRIDTST 1 - PHOTO HEAD/ 2) GRIDTST 2 - 4 PEN/ 412 cm x 182 cm (MM)/ ROTATED"/ Handwritten on yellow label on the edge: "GRIDTST"
Missing: Appears complete
Finish: Translucent white casing with a clear front, red label with off-white and red printed markings, black tape and edge part, beige tape with black handwritten markings, and a yellow label with black handwritten markings on the edge.
Decoration: N/A

CITE THIS OBJECT

If you choose to share our information about this collection object, please cite:

Syncom, Tape, data processing, circa 1967–1968, Artifact no. 1993.0187, Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation, http://collections.ingeniumcanada.org/en/item/1993.0187.005/

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