IBM 305 RAMAC

IBM 305 RAMAC
IBM 305 RAMAC system:

IBM 305 main system (Processing unit, magnetic process drum, magnetic core register, electronic logical and arithmetic circuits)

IBM 370 printer (left), IBM 380 console (right)
DeveloperIBM
ManufacturerIBM
Release dateSeptember 14, 1956; 68 years ago (1956-09-14)
Introductory priceUS$3,200 (equivalent to $34,700 in 2023) per month
Discontinued1961
Units soldMore than 1,000
Storage3.75 megabytes
SuccessorIBM 1401
Websitewww.ibm.com/history/ramac

The IBM 305 RAMAC was the first commercial computer that used a moving-head hard disk drive (magnetic disk storage) for secondary storage.[1] The system was publicly announced on September 14, 1956,[2][3] with test units already installed at the U.S. Navy and at private corporations.[2] RAMAC stood for "Random Access Method of Accounting and Control",[4] as its design was motivated by the need for real-time accounting in business.[5]

  1. ^ Preimesberger, Chris (2006-09-08). "IBM Builds on 50 Years of Spinning Disk Storage". eWeek.com. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
  2. ^ a b 650 RAMAC announcement The 305 RAMAC and the 650 RAMAC were internally announced on September 4, 1956.
  3. ^ I.B.M. To Put Out New 'Think' Units, New York Times, September 14, 1956
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference manual was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ IBM RAMAC promotional film