Difference between revisions of "TX-2"
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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 [[ | + | 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. |
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| + | 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] | ||
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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] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:11, 3 March 2024
The TX-2 was an early transistor computer; it was a follow-on to the ground-breaking TX-0 at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Innovations around interrupts 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.
Important applications developed on the TX-2 included the ground-breaking Sketchpad. Later on, an important data networking 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.
Further reading
- C. Gordon Bell, Gerald Butler, Robert Gray, John E. Mcnamara, Donald Vonada, and Ronald Wilson, 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, 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
- Bitsavers TX-2 documents
- TX-2 Circuitry Handbook
- The LINC Was Early and Small - lengthy personal memoir by Wesley Clark; it also mentions the TX-2
- Who invented Timesharing
- TX-2 simulation project
