TX-2 - Revision history

Jnc: /* External links */ Add a couple of items; fix broken URL

2026-10-15T10:14:12Z

External links: Add a couple of items; fix broken URL

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:14, 15 October 2026
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	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/tx-2/ Bitsavers TX-2 documents]		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/tx-2/ Bitsavers TX-2 documents]
	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/lincolnLaboratory/division_6/6D-2631_TX-2_Circuitry_Handbook_Oct1958.pdf TX-2 Circuitry Handbook]		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/lincolnLaboratory/division_6/6D-2631_TX-2_Circuitry_Handbook_Oct1958.pdf TX-2 Circuitry Handbook]
			* [https://tx-2.github.io/ TX-2 simulation project]
			** [https://tx-2.github.io/commentary/tx2.html The TX-2 Computer] - excellent, detailed, overview
			** [https://tx-2.github.io/documentation/ TX-2 Documentation]
	* [https://mitmuseum.mit.edu/collections/subject/computers-individual-computers-tx-2-computer-289 TX-2 Computer] - a collection of images		* [https://mitmuseum.mit.edu/collections/subject/computers-individual-computers-tx-2-computer-289 TX-2 Computer] - a collection of images
			* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121107151904/http://www.ll.mit.edu/publications/labnotes/LookingBack_19_1.pdf Looking Back: The TX-2 Computer and Sketchpad] - the work TX-2 was perhaps best known for
			* [https://web.archive.org/web/20201227113758/https://www.cadhistory.net/03%20MIT%20CAD%20Roots%201945-1965.pdf Computer-Aided Design's Strong Roots at MIT] - covers use of TX-2 for Sketchpad in some detail
	* [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small] - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2		* [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small] - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2
	* [https://web.stanford.edu/~learnest/nets/timesharing.htm Who invented Timesharing]		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20240422180141/https://web.stanford.edu/~learnest/nets/timesharing.htm Who invented Timesharing] - briefly mentions work on TX-2
	* [https://tx-2.github.io/ TX-2 simulation project]		* [https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/368873.368879 The Lincoln Keyboard — A Typewriter Keyboard Designed for Computers Input Flexibility] - used on the TX-2
	** [https://tx-~~2.github.io/documentation/~~ TX-2 ~~Documentation]~~
	* [https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/368873.368879 The Lincoln Keyboard — A Typewriter Keyboard Designed for Computers ~~Imput~~ Flexibility]

	[[Category: Mainframes]]		[[Category: Mainframes]]
	[[Category: 36-bit Computers]]		[[Category: 36-bit Computers]]
	[[Category: Unique Computers]]		[[Category: Unique Computers]]

Larsbrinkhoff: /* External links */ I find the use of "imput" quite charming.

2025-11-20T10:39:58Z

External links: I find the use of "imput" quite charming.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:39, 20 November 2025
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	* [https://tx-2.github.io/ TX-2 simulation project]		* [https://tx-2.github.io/ TX-2 simulation project]
	** [https://tx-2.github.io/documentation/ TX-2 Documentation]		** [https://tx-2.github.io/documentation/ TX-2 Documentation]
			* [https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/368873.368879 The Lincoln Keyboard — A Typewriter Keyboard Designed for Computers Imput Flexibility]

	[[Category: Mainframes]]		[[Category: Mainframes]]
	[[Category: 36-bit Computers]]		[[Category: 36-bit Computers]]
	[[Category: Unique Computers]]		[[Category: Unique Computers]]

Larsbrinkhoff: Link to meta key.

2025-11-19T10:26:07Z

Link to meta key.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:26, 19 November 2025
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	The TX-2's [[magnetic tape]] [[mass storage]] system, created by Tom Stockebrand, used 1/2" tape, but was block addressable, unlike most magnetic tape systems, which could only write sequentially. He later moved to the [[LINC]] project, along with several other TX-2 alumni, where he helped create the descendant [[LINC tape]] system; he then moved to [[DEC]], where he helped create [[DECtape]], very similar to LINCtape.		The TX-2's [[magnetic tape]] [[mass storage]] system, created by Tom Stockebrand, used 1/2" tape, but was block addressable, unlike most magnetic tape systems, which could only write sequentially. He later moved to the [[LINC]] project, along with several other TX-2 alumni, where he helped create the descendant [[LINC tape]] system; he then moved to [[DEC]], where he helped create [[DECtape]], very similar to LINCtape.

	The Lincoln Writer was used with the TX-2 as a [[printing terminal]]. Its [[keyboard]] had a right-pointing manicule called the "Meta Hand", and was used to indicate an "aside" such as entering a "meta" command.		The Lincoln Writer was used with the TX-2 as a [[printing terminal]]. Its [[keyboard]] had a right-pointing manicule called the [[Meta key\|"Meta Hand"]], and was used to indicate an "aside" such as entering a "meta" command.

	{{semi-stub}}		{{semi-stub}}

Larsbrinkhoff: Talk to the Meta Hand.

2025-11-19T10:25:32Z

Talk to the Meta Hand.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:25, 19 November 2025
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	The TX-2's [[magnetic tape]] [[mass storage]] system, created by Tom Stockebrand, used 1/2" tape, but was block addressable, unlike most magnetic tape systems, which could only write sequentially. He later moved to the [[LINC]] project, along with several other TX-2 alumni, where he helped create the descendant [[LINC tape]] system; he then moved to [[DEC]], where he helped create [[DECtape]], very similar to LINCtape.		The TX-2's [[magnetic tape]] [[mass storage]] system, created by Tom Stockebrand, used 1/2" tape, but was block addressable, unlike most magnetic tape systems, which could only write sequentially. He later moved to the [[LINC]] project, along with several other TX-2 alumni, where he helped create the descendant [[LINC tape]] system; he then moved to [[DEC]], where he helped create [[DECtape]], very similar to LINCtape.

			The Lincoln Writer was used with the TX-2 as a [[printing terminal]]. Its [[keyboard]] had a right-pointing manicule called the "Meta Hand", and was used to indicate an "aside" such as entering a "meta" command.

	{{semi-stub}}		{{semi-stub}}

Jnc: Its most important contributions were in software

2025-10-25T15:02:22Z

Its most important contributions were in software

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:02, 25 October 2025
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	[[Image:TX-2 module top.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|TX-2 plug-in module]]		[[Image:TX-2 module top.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|TX-2 plug-in module]]

	The '''TX-2''' was an early [[transistor]] computer; it was a follow-on to the ground-breaking [[TX-0]] at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology\|MIT]] [[Lincoln Laboratory]]. Innovations around [[interrupt]]s used on the TX-2 ~~wee~~ an important predecessor to the [[PDP-1]].		The '''TX-2''' was an early [[transistor]] computer; it was a follow-on to the ground-breaking [[TX-0]] at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology\|MIT]] [[Lincoln Laboratory]]. Innovations around [[interrupt]]s used on the TX-2 were an important predecessor to the [[PDP-1]]. Its most important contributions were in the [[software]] developed on it.

			One important [[application]] developed on the TX-2 was the ground-breaking [[Sketchpad]]. Later on, an important [[data network]]ing demonstration that preceded the [[ARPANET]] used the TX-2. Beginning in 1964 a [[time-sharing]] system called [[APEX]] was put together on the TX-2, under the guidance of Larry Roberts, using a small number of consoles with [[graphics]] capability.

	The TX-2's [[magnetic tape]] [[mass storage]] system, created by Tom Stockebrand, used 1/2" tape, but was block addressable, unlike most magnetic tape systems, which could only write sequentially. He later moved to the [[LINC]] project, along with several other TX-2 alumni, where he helped create the descendant [[LINC tape]] system; he then moved to [[DEC]], where he helped create [[DECtape]], very similar to LINCtape.		The TX-2's [[magnetic tape]] [[mass storage]] system, created by Tom Stockebrand, used 1/2" tape, but was block addressable, unlike most magnetic tape systems, which could only write sequentially. He later moved to the [[LINC]] project, along with several other TX-2 alumni, where he helped create the descendant [[LINC tape]] system; he then moved to [[DEC]], where he helped create [[DECtape]], very similar to LINCtape.

	~~Important [[application]]s developed on the TX-2 included the ground-breaking [[Sketchpad]]. Later on, an important [[data network]]ing demonstration that preceded the [[ARPANET]] used the TX-2.~~

	Beginning in 1964 a [[time-sharing]] system called [[APEX]] was put together on the TX-2 computer at Lincoln Lab under the guidance of Larry Roberts using a small number of consoles with [[graphics]] capability.

	{{semi-stub}}		{{semi-stub}}
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	* [https://web.stanford.edu/~learnest/nets/timesharing.htm Who invented Timesharing]		* [https://web.stanford.edu/~learnest/nets/timesharing.htm Who invented Timesharing]
	* [https://tx-2.github.io/ TX-2 simulation project]		* [https://tx-2.github.io/ TX-2 simulation project]
			** [https://tx-2.github.io/documentation/ TX-2 Documentation]

	[[Category: Mainframes]]		[[Category: Mainframes]]
	[[Category: 36-bit Computers]]		[[Category: 36-bit Computers]]
	[[Category: Unique Computers]]		[[Category: Unique Computers]]

Jnc: /* External links */ +A collection of images

2025-09-25T16:09:10Z

External links: +A collection of images

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:09, 25 September 2025
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	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/tx-2/ Bitsavers TX-2 documents]		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/tx-2/ Bitsavers TX-2 documents]
	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/lincolnLaboratory/division_6/6D-2631_TX-2_Circuitry_Handbook_Oct1958.pdf TX-2 Circuitry Handbook]		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/lincolnLaboratory/division_6/6D-2631_TX-2_Circuitry_Handbook_Oct1958.pdf TX-2 Circuitry Handbook]
			* [https://mitmuseum.mit.edu/collections/subject/computers-individual-computers-tx-2-computer-289 TX-2 Computer] - a collection of images
	* [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small] - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2		* [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small] - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2
	* [https://web.stanford.edu/~learnest/nets/timesharing.htm Who invented Timesharing]		* [https://web.stanford.edu/~learnest/nets/timesharing.htm Who invented Timesharing]

Jnc: +Important applications developed on it

2024-03-03T20:11:19Z

+Important applications developed on it

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:11, 3 March 2024
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	[[Image:TX-2 module top.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|TX-2 plug-in module]]		[[Image:TX-2 module top.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|TX-2 plug-in module]]

	The '''TX-2''' was an early [[transistor]] computer; it was a follow-on to the ground-breaking [[TX-0]] at the [[MIT]] [[Lincoln Laboratory]].		The '''TX-2''' was an early [[transistor]] computer; it was a follow-on to the ground-breaking [[TX-0]] at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology\|MIT]] [[Lincoln Laboratory]]. Innovations around [[interrupt]]s used on the TX-2 wee an important predecessor to the [[PDP-1]].

	The TX-2's [[magnetic tape]] [[mass storage]] system, created by Tom Stockebrand, used 1/2" tape, but was block addressable, unlike most magnetic tape systems, which could only write sequentially. He later moved to the [[LINC]] project, along with several other TX-2 alumni, where he helped create the descendant [[LINC tape]] system; he then moved to [[DEC]], where he helped create [[DECtape]], very similar to LINCtape.		The TX-2's [[magnetic tape]] [[mass storage]] system, created by Tom Stockebrand, used 1/2" tape, but was block addressable, unlike most magnetic tape systems, which could only write sequentially. He later moved to the [[LINC]] project, along with several other TX-2 alumni, where he helped create the descendant [[LINC tape]] system; he then moved to [[DEC]], where he helped create [[DECtape]], very similar to LINCtape.

	Beginning in 1964 a [[~~timesharing~~]] system called [[APEX]] was put together on the TX-2 computer at Lincoln Lab under the guidance of Larry Roberts using a small number of consoles with graphics capability.		Important [[application]]s developed on the TX-2 included the ground-breaking [[Sketchpad]]. Later on, an important [[data network]]ing demonstration that preceded the [[ARPANET]] used the TX-2.

			Beginning in 1964 a [[time-sharing]] system called [[APEX]] was put together on the TX-2 computer at Lincoln Lab under the guidance of Larry Roberts using a small number of consoles with [[graphics]] capability.

	{{semi-stub}}		{{semi-stub}}
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	==Further reading==		==Further reading==

			* C. Gordon Bell, Gerald Butler, Robert Gray, John E. Mcnamara, Donald Vonada, and Ronald Wilson, [http://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Computer_Engineering/00000149.htm The PDP-1 and Other 18-Bit Computers], in C. Gordon Bell, J. Craig Mudge, John. E. McNamara, ''Computer Engineering: A DEC View of Hardware Systems Design'', Digital Press, Bedford, 1978
	* Severo M. Ornstein, [https://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/access/text/2019/03/102785079-05-01-acc.pdf ''Computing in the Middle Ages: A View From the Trenches 1955-1983''] (AuthorHouse, 2002) - Some background about the end of the construction of the TX-2		* Severo M. Ornstein, [https://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/access/text/2019/03/102785079-05-01-acc.pdf ''Computing in the Middle Ages: A View From the Trenches 1955-1983''] (AuthorHouse, 2002) - Some background about the end of the construction of the TX-2

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	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/tx-2/ Bitsavers TX-2 documents]		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/tx-2/ Bitsavers TX-2 documents]
	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/lincolnLaboratory/division_6/6D-2631_TX-2_Circuitry_Handbook_Oct1958.pdf TX-2 Circuitry Handbook]		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/lincolnLaboratory/division_6/6D-2631_TX-2_Circuitry_Handbook_Oct1958.pdf TX-2 Circuitry Handbook]
	* C. Gordon Bell, Gerald Butler, Robert Gray, John E. Mcnamara, Donald Vonada, and Ronald Wilson, [http://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Computer_Engineering/00000149.htm The PDP-1 and Other 18-Bit Computers], in C. Gordon Bell, J. Craig Mudge, John. E. McNamara, ''Computer Engineering: A DEC View of Hardware Systems Design'', Digital Press, Bedford, 1978
	* [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small] - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2		* [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small] - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2
	* [https://web.stanford.edu/~learnest/nets/timesharing.htm Who invented Timesharing]		* [https://web.stanford.edu/~learnest/nets/timesharing.htm Who invented Timesharing]

Jnc: /* External links */ +TX-2 Circuitry Handbook

2024-03-01T19:50:40Z

External links: +TX-2 Circuitry Handbook

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:50, 1 March 2024
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	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/tx-2/ Bitsavers TX-2 documents]		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/tx-2/ Bitsavers TX-2 documents]
			* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/lincolnLaboratory/division_6/6D-2631_TX-2_Circuitry_Handbook_Oct1958.pdf TX-2 Circuitry Handbook]
	* C. Gordon Bell, Gerald Butler, Robert Gray, John E. Mcnamara, Donald Vonada, and Ronald Wilson, [http://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Computer_Engineering/00000149.htm The PDP-1 and Other 18-Bit Computers], in C. Gordon Bell, J. Craig Mudge, John. E. McNamara, ''Computer Engineering: A DEC View of Hardware Systems Design'', Digital Press, Bedford, 1978		* C. Gordon Bell, Gerald Butler, Robert Gray, John E. Mcnamara, Donald Vonada, and Ronald Wilson, [http://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Computer_Engineering/00000149.htm The PDP-1 and Other 18-Bit Computers], in C. Gordon Bell, J. Craig Mudge, John. E. McNamara, ''Computer Engineering: A DEC View of Hardware Systems Design'', Digital Press, Bedford, 1978
	* [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small] - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2		* [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small] - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2

Larsbrinkhoff: /* External links */ Simulation project.

2024-02-28T05:54:52Z

External links: Simulation project.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:54, 28 February 2024
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	* [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small] - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2		* [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small] - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2
	* [https://web.stanford.edu/~learnest/nets/timesharing.htm Who invented Timesharing]		* [https://web.stanford.edu/~learnest/nets/timesharing.htm Who invented Timesharing]
			* [https://tx-2.github.io/ TX-2 simulation project]

	[[Category: Mainframes]]		[[Category: Mainframes]]
	[[Category: 36-bit Computers]]		[[Category: 36-bit Computers]]
	[[Category: Unique Computers]]		[[Category: Unique Computers]]

Jnc: /* Further reading */ link to online copy

2024-02-27T23:36:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:36, 27 February 2024
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	==Further reading==		==Further reading==

	* Severo M. Ornstein, "''Computing in the Middle Ages: A View From the Trenches 1955-1983''" (AuthorHouse, 2002) - Some background about the end of the construction of the TX-2		* Severo M. Ornstein, [https://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/access/text/2019/03/102785079-05-01-acc.pdf ''Computing in the Middle Ages: A View From the Trenches 1955-1983''] (AuthorHouse, 2002) - Some background about the end of the construction of the TX-2

	==External links==		==External links==