IBM 7090: Difference between revisions

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| name = IBM 7090
| name = IBM 7090
| manufacturer = [[International Business Machines]]
| manufacturer = [[International Business Machines]]
<!-- | year announced = -->
| year announced = December, 1958
| year first shipped = November, 1959
| year first shipped = November, 1959
<!-- | year discontinued = -->
| year discontinued = July, 1969
| form factor = [[mainframe]]
| form factor = [[mainframe]]
| word size = 36 bits
| word size = 36 bits
<!-- | physical address = x bits (K words) -->
| physical address = 15 bits (32K words)
<!-- | virtual address = x bits -->
<!-- | virtual address = x bits -->
| logic type = [[transistor]]s
| logic type = [[Standard Modular System|SMS]] cards using alloy-junction [[transistor]]s
<!-- | design type = -->
<!-- | design type = -->
<!-- | clock speed = µsec (basic instructions) -->
| instruction speed = 4.4 µsec (basic add)
| memory speed = 2.2 µsec
| memory speed = 2.2 µsec
<!-- | memory mgmt = bounds register -->
<!-- | memory mgmt = bounds register -->
| operating system = SOS, IBSYS, IBJOB, [[CTSS]]
| operating system = SOS, IBSYS, IBJOB, FMS, [[CTSS]]
| predecessor = [[IBM 709]]
| predecessor = [[IBM 709]]
| successor = [[IBM 7094]]
| successor = [[IBM 7094]]
<!-- | price = US$30K (8KW system) -->
| price = US$2.9M (and up)
}}
}}


The '''IBM 7090''' was IBM's first commercial [[transistor]] scientific [[mainframe]] (built at a time when computers for scientific and business computing used separate [[instruction set]]s).
The '''IBM 7090''' was IBM's first commercial [[transistor]] scientific [[mainframe]] (built at a time when computers for scientific and business computing used separate [[instruction set]]s).


It was upwardly compatible with its [[vacuum tube]] technology predecessor, the [[IBM 709]]. It relied heavily on engineering from the [[STRETCH]] project; units such as power supplies, back panels and the memory unit were transplanted from STRETCH.
It was upwardly compatible with its [[vacuum tube]] technology predecessor, the [[IBM 709]]. It had a performance of six times that of a 709, but only cost one third more.


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It was designed hurriedly to meet the requirements of Sylvania, the data processing subcontractor for the [[BMEWS]] missile warning [[radar]] network, which was under a mandate to use transistor computers.
 
For this reason, it relied heavily on engineering from the [[IBM 7030 Stretch]] project; units such as power supplies, back panels and the memory unit were transplanted from Stretch.
 
In addition to its use for the ground-breaking [[Compatible Time-Sharing System‎‎|CTSS]] [[operating system]], a pair of 7090's were used in the equally influential American Airlines [[SABRE]] [[real-time]] airline reservation system.
 
==Further reading==
 
* Charles J. Bashe, Lyle R. Johnson, John H. Palmer, Emerson W. Pugh, ''IBM's Early Computers'', MIT Press, Cambridge, 1986
 
==External links==
 
* [http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/mainframe/mainframe_PP7090.html 7090 Data Processing System] - IBM Archive page
* [http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/cp0309.htm From the IBM 704 to the IBM 7094]
* [http://www.frobenius.com/7090.htm IBM 7090/94 Architecture]
* [https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/firsts-history-computing-paul-g-allen-collection/ibm-7090-mainframe-computer-107/230044 An IBM 7090 mainframe computer] - from Paul Allen's collection at the [[Living Computer Museum|LCM]], includes several images
 
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[[Category: IBM Mainframes]]

Latest revision as of 23:30, 22 April 2025


IBM 7090
Manufacturer: International Business Machines
Year Announced: December, 1958
Year First Shipped: November, 1959
Year Discontinued: July, 1969
Form Factor: mainframe
Word Size: 36 bits
Logic Type: SMS cards using alloy-junction transistors
Instruction Speed: 4.4 µsec (basic add)
Memory Speed: 2.2 µsec
Physical Address Size: 15 bits (32K words)
Operating System: SOS, IBSYS, IBJOB, FMS, CTSS
Predecessor(s): IBM 709
Successor(s): IBM 7094
Price: US$2.9M (and up)


The IBM 7090 was IBM's first commercial transistor scientific mainframe (built at a time when computers for scientific and business computing used separate instruction sets).

It was upwardly compatible with its vacuum tube technology predecessor, the IBM 709. It had a performance of six times that of a 709, but only cost one third more.

It was designed hurriedly to meet the requirements of Sylvania, the data processing subcontractor for the BMEWS missile warning radar network, which was under a mandate to use transistor computers.

For this reason, it relied heavily on engineering from the IBM 7030 Stretch project; units such as power supplies, back panels and the memory unit were transplanted from Stretch.

In addition to its use for the ground-breaking CTSS operating system, a pair of 7090's were used in the equally influential American Airlines SABRE real-time airline reservation system.

Further reading

  • Charles J. Bashe, Lyle R. Johnson, John H. Palmer, Emerson W. Pugh, IBM's Early Computers, MIT Press, Cambridge, 1986

External links