As my IBM mainframe experience started in 1980, the first IBM tape drive I worked with was a 3420; the last three mainframe shops I worked in migrated to 3480 cartridge drives.
We did not see a lot of 2420s. The primary IBM drive for S/360 was the 2401 (though my site also had two 2415 on a S/360-20). The cartridge tapes only became really popular with the follow-on 3420. Each 3803 control unit came with crimping tool to make sure the tape would feed easily. Side note, z/OS still supports the 3420!
@ It took practice to thread the 2400. Some people never got the hang of it. And the 2420 (and 3420) could use tapes held in self-loading seals. No need for canisters or the manual opening tape seals. Time is money. 😊
When I was in my 20's I worked for Ma Bell. Our department did cable mappings. I was an operator on a Data General 6000, with a tape drive. It had two long shoots when tape was slacked and held by a vacuum.. it was so cool.
As my IBM mainframe experience started in 1980, the first IBM tape drive I worked with was a 3420; the last three mainframe shops I worked in migrated to 3480 cartridge drives.
1968. Hard to believe in less than 10 years, things like the Apple II and other home computers would be available....
We did not see a lot of 2420s. The primary IBM drive for S/360 was the 2401 (though my site also had two 2415 on a S/360-20). The cartridge tapes only became really popular with the follow-on 3420. Each 3803 control unit came with crimping tool to make sure the tape would feed easily. Side note, z/OS still supports the 3420!
Thank you. Good background info, that helps. Will have to see if I can get some 3420 material as well. ~ VK
Another great video in the books, Happy New Year CHAP
Hi @ElijahRetro1982, thank you very much. Happy New Year to you as well! ~ Victor, CHAP
So much innovation went into the 2420.
Yes, it looks like IBM took it seriously. Some good engineering.
They mean business when showing an IBM film 🤣.
Happy New Year CHAP.
Takes me back to my operator days of the late 60s and early 70s.
I get why the operator would like self threading but was it a selling point for the people who had to pay?
@ It took practice to thread the 2400. Some people never got the hang of it. And the 2420 (and 3420) could use tapes held in self-loading seals. No need for canisters or the manual opening tape seals. Time is money. 😊
I've never seen 2420 drives before. New to me.
التقنيات القديمة أجمل بكثير من وقتنا الحالي
All this hardware to handle about 50 MB storage per reel.
I fixed many tape drives like this.
Interesting. It seems like these were in service for quite a long time too.
I remember the 3420s.
When I was in my 20's I worked for Ma Bell. Our department did cable mappings. I was an operator on a Data General 6000, with a tape drive. It had two long shoots when tape was slacked and held by a vacuum.. it was so cool.
Beautifully made machines, I guess the equivalent of these guy today are working at places like Boston Dynamics.
You are probably right!
Boy, that air transport must have been really "fun" to perfect. Clever solution though.