Mr. C. Subramaniam and Prof. H. N. Mahabala, taking a look at the IBM 2741 communication terminal at the inauguration of the Computer Centre, 1973
Faculty , 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.
Mr. Subramaniam (Union Minister for Industrial Development and Science and Technology, left) had also visited IIT Madras in 1961 as the chief guest during the Second Institute Day. He was the Minister for Education at the time. Prof. H. N. Mahabala (right) was a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and the first Professor-in-charge of the Computer Centre.
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