Unknown Magnetic Drum Memory
Storage
Manufacturer: | Unknown |
Introduction: | 1950 |
Dimensions (WxHxD): | 21 x 21 x 52 cm |
Weight: | 27 kg |
CPU: | |
Acquired: | 2017 |
This magnetic drum memory (dating to the 1950s or 1960s) is probably German in origin, as it uses a Papst Aussenlaufer motor. It is very well possible that this is a one-off item that was built by one of the German universities for use in one of their early computers. In total, there are 88 heads, 40 of which have a common ground, so it might well be that those 40 heads are for read-only tracks, whereas the 48 heads with separate grounds are read-write tracks. Originally, there was a plexiglass housing around the entire unit, which was filled with oil.