The IBM 7340 "Hypertape" system was a
magnetic tape data storage
Magnetic-tape data storage is a system for storing digital information on magnetic tape using digital recording.
Tape was an important medium for primary data storage in early computers, typically using large open reels of IBM 7 track, 7-track, ...
format designed to work with the
IBM 7074,
7080 and
7090 computers that was introduced in 1961 and withdrawn in 1971.
As a technology, it deviated in several ways from the then dominant
IBM 7 track
IBM's first magnetic-tape data storage devices, introduced in 1952, use what is now generally known as 7-track tape. The magnetic tape is 1/2" wide, and there are six data tracks plus one parity track for a total of seven parallel tracks th ...
system. It distinguished itself by having higher capacity, faster data transfer speed, faster load times, and lower wear on the tape. It achieved this by using tape that was twice as wide (1 vs. 1/2 inch), preloaded on two reels, and held in a large cassette.
Specs
* Two reel cartridge
* 1 inch wide tape
* 10 track linear recording (8 data bits, 2 checksum bits)
* Capacity: 2 million characters
* Speed: 170,000 characters/second
See also
* http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/storage/storage_7340.html - IBM 7340 hypertape drive
* http://blog.modernmechanix.com/cartridge-tape-system-is-fast-compact/ - Modern Mechanix: Cartridge Tape System Is Fast, Compact (Dec, 1961)
* http://www.computer.org/csdl/proceedings/afips/1963/5063/00/50630591.pdf (PDF) - IBM 7340 HYPERTAPE DRIVE
* https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_ibmmagtapeeOct61_993829 - October 1961 Manual, G22-6634 7340 Hypertape
Tape-based computer storage
Computer-related introductions in 1961
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