The IBM 2741 communication terminal at the inauguration of the Computer Centre, 1973
Institute Events , Inaugurations , Visiting VIPs
The IBM 2741 was a printing communication terminal, inspired by the IBM Selectric typewriter. According to Wikipedia, it offered up to 50% higher speed compared to the teletypewriter machines which were used as printing terminals at the time. It also offered top quality printing, interchangeable type fonts and also upper and lower case letters. It also operated without much noise. A news report in The New Indian Express provides details about parts of the 370 computer system. According to the report, there were three typewriter terminals at IIT Madras that could type 15.5 characters per second.
The Selectric, launched in 1961 by IBM, was a golf ball head typewriter, meaning that the traditional type bars which were earlier installed in typewriters, would be replaced by a golf ball shaped head. One could type more rapidly without worrying about jammed type bars which were a cause for concern in typewriters prior to this.
The Computer Centre at IIT Madras was inaugurated in 1973. At the time there was only an M. Tech. programme for Computer Science. During this year, IIT Madras received the IBM 370/155 system as a gift from West Germany.
From left, Dr. Erhard Eppler (Minister for Economic Co-operation, Federal Republic of Germany), Prof. K. A. V. Pandalai (Director), Mr. C. Subramaniam (Union Minister for Industrial Development and Science and Technology), and Mr. K. T. Chandy (Chairman, Board of Governors).
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