model of tape rack for IBM ASCC-Mark I
Date: 1936
Inventory Number: 1997-1-0240
Classification: Computer Part
Subject:
Maker: International Business Machines Corporation (1911-present)
Maker: Harvard Computation Laboratory (1944 - 1997)
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
12.5 × 10.2 × 11.8 cm (4 15/16 × 4 × 4 5/8 in.)
box: 15.9 × 15.6 × 13.7 cm (6 1/4 × 6 1/8 × 5 3/8 in.)
Bibliography:
A Manual of Operation for the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator
Description:
Object consists of a metal frame forming a cube. Four metal bars extend across both the top and bottom planes of the cube, each bar bearing four metal knobs. Strips of tape run from the top to the bottom of the cube, threaded around the knobs. There is one additional bar in one of the side planes, bearing two metal knobs.
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
Historical AttributesDesigned and built about 1938, this is a model of the type of rack used hold the punched paper tape on the IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC), commonly referred to as the Harvard Mark I.
ProvenanceOn March 13, 1997, this model was picked up from the Howard H. Aiken Computation Laboratory, 33 Oxford Street. It was transferred to the Collection by Edward P. Jackson, Facilities Manager in the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences. It was placed on exhibition in the entrance area adjacent to IBM Mark I computer on the first floor of the Science Center, Harvard University.