IBM 1401

IBM 1401 Restoration Project

Meeting #7, June 30, 2004

Summary by R. Garner

Attendees:

Allison Akbay

Sharon Brunzel

Mary Cicalese

Tim Coslet

Dave Cortesi

Don Cull

Mike Falarski

Bill Flora

Robert Garner

Chuck Kantmann

Frank King

Don Luke

Dan McInnis

Fred Oehm

Allen Palmer

Bill Selmeier

Ed Thelen

Dick Weaver

Ron Williams

Agenda:

Introduction of new volunteers
Facilities status
Report from last week's meeting with IBM archivist.
Status of Unit bring-up plans (Ron, Bill, Frank, Allen, Chuck)
50-Hz power
Inventorying and accessioning status
Web site
At noon - Allison Akbay on techniques of artifact handling

Meeting Minutes:

Two new 1401 team members introduced: Don Cull & Dave Cortesi. Bill Selmeier indicated that everyone should register on the new volunteer web site, https://www.computerhistory.org/volunteer, and to log past and upcoming volunteer hours. (The 1401 volunteer hours logbook will no longer be used.)

> Bill S – Send pointer & instructions on using new volunteer web site to alias.

> Dag – Distribute a procedures & safety pledge form for all to sign. Present Museum’s restoration safety and procedures again for those who missed 1^st.

> Mary – Organize a CPR and First Aid class.

Mike F indicated that fluorescent lights are ordered and would like us to plan which floor tiles need holes (so that he can remove those not needed for safety).
Discussed the project’s expense fund and spending rules. It was agreed that the group would need to pre-approve any purchase over $100. Also discussed eBay bidding for project materials. It was suggested that if someone is eBay bidding on a 1401-related item that they let the alias know. (Looks like we will not need punched cards as Museum has sufficient stock for now.)

> Robert – Propose a reimbursement procedure against the project expense fund.

Robert reported on the 6/23 meeting with IBM’s official archivist, Paul Lasewicz, and IBM San Jose’s (just-retired) historian, Dave Bennet. Paul indicated that IBM has very few artifacts from before early 70’s, especially software or documentation. We asked Paul to look for following items: any 1401 docs, esp. "parts catalogs" a.k.a. manufacturing assembly diagrams; 1401 films and photos; leads to any satellite "repositories" (such as the Germany repository, but tragically lost to a fire).

Dave Bennet suggested we also contact the other known active IBM Quarter Century Clubs (Boulder and Tucson); contact IBM Fellow Ric Bradshaw in Tucson, and Jim Wiedenhammer (worked on 729 vacuum system); & contact Henry Harvel, parts distribution (in Mechanicsburg, NY?)

> R. Garner & Dave Bennet – Try to find IBM contacts above.

Lively discussion on bring-up plans & 50-Hz power. Three bring-up plans have been written and will be posted on the project web site as soon as Chuck reviews them. Unless an inexpensive, 13 kVA 60->50 Hz power converter falls from the sky, there are several possible options.

(A) There is a proposal that the 1401/2/3 & single 729 on display in the Museum’s visible storage (VS) might be in better physical condition and thus a better machine for restoration (assuming we get the Museum’s permission!). However, on closer examination (at 6/23 unit lead meeting), it was noted that the VS 1401 CPU backplane wiring is brimming with "red" wires, which, according to Frank, indicates significant field alterations. Also, the VS 1401 CPU’s cables are all cut off at entry to the frame and its front panel was monkey’d with. We’re also not certain we have its schematics and documentation. So the general consensus is to stick with the German 1401 CPU for restoration. However, the VS 1402 card reader/punch (esp. card handling path) and 1403 printer (esp. cover and panel indicators) are physically cleaner and less rusty and moldy than the German 1402/3 (and are 60 Hz).

One major roadblock to the idea of using the VS 1402/3 is whether it is technically possible to mix the VS 1402/3 with the German 1401 due to different supported features (729 model "intermix" feature in German 1401, "early read" feature & different visible logics in German 1402, Ramac interface in VS 1401, etc.) Second problem is that VS 1401 serial number is #20,597, which, according to Paul Pierce, is before major logic and signal changes at serial #25,000. Our German machine is serial #28,421, after the major changes. This implies the VS 1402/3 is incompatible with our more recent German 1401 CPU.

(B) Another option to address the power issue is to swap the 60-Hz ferro-resonate power supplies in the VS 1401/2 with those in our 50-Hz German machine. (Assuming we can secure the Museum’s permission!) This assumes the ferro-resonate power supply connector pin outs and voltages are the same (which may not be because of the changes after serial #25,000). This should allow us to run the 1401/2/3/6 complex at 60 Hz.

There is some indication that the 729 tape drives could be successfully run at 60 Hz. The 729’s synchronous and induction motors should operate OK at 60 Hz and the different speed of the reel motors should not be an issue with the vacuum-column based controls.

(C) Another option is to run the 1401/2/3/6 complex at 50 Hz from a converter and the 729 tape drives at 60 Hz. If the 729’s can be operated at 60 Hz, one could procure a 5-kVA static converter for just the 1401/2/3/6 complex. (Assuming there is no AC power from the 1402 to the 729’s.). This option is most straightforward, as we would not need to touch the units in visible storage, and the cost is reasonable (~$5K for new static converter.) To meet electrical code, we would need to have a single on/off switch for entire system (50 and 60 Hz.). Note that the 729’s are listed at 1.6 kVA each.

> R. Garner – Explore procuring a 60à 50 Hz, 3-phase solid-state "inverter" rated at 5 kVA for the 1401/2/3/6 core of the system. Call a meeting with unit leads to go over power schematics (7/9).
> Bill Flora, Frank King, and Allen Palmer– Get motor power requirements in 1402, 1403, and 729 (for sizing converter startup load requirement).
> Bill Flora, Ron Williams – Determine whether VS 1402’s ferro-resonant power supplies can be swapped with German 1402 ferro-resonant power supplies. Ditto for 1401 CPU.
> Allen Palmer – Determine whether the 729’s can be operated with 60 Hz power. In particular, how is the tape speed over the tape heads determined?

Mary and Sharon indicated that all the original German 1401 documents had been inventoried and were being removed from the server room. A master copy is being made of each document. The procedure for getting working copies is that the unit leads will ask Mary for as many as they need.
If you have materials/updates for the project web site:

index.html

please email them to Ed Thelen.

> Ed Thelen – Meet with Eric Smith to get blog features added to project web site.
> Allison Akbay gave her presentation on the best/proper handling of artifacts. She reiterated no food/drink in 1401 server room. One should change gloves often as necessary so dirt/oil isn’t transferred around. Latex & nylon gloves OK for greasy work, but then should replace with cotton gloves afterwards. She suggested that we use the "archival vacuum cleaner" (wherever grease is not involved), as normal shop vac tends to spew everything back into air. She also suggested that masks be worn when handling moldy or dusty items. Cleaning solvents should be tested first before general use (and never on the outside surfaces of the units!)
> Allison – A supply of nose/mouth masks for the server room.

Next meeting scheduled for Weds, July 14th, 11-1pm. (Meeting time selection criteria: Morning, to avoid rush hour in the afternoon, and over lunch, as some folks still have full-time jobs. Sub-unit teams have established their own, convenient work hours – which should be communicated to the entire team alias!)
Unit-lead-only meeting called for Friday, July 9^th to discuss 50-Hz power and bring-up plans.