Welcome to

The Gallery of Old Iron


IBM 705, 1956

Looking Back at Computing


These pages are more-or-less random technology tidbits from "Big-Iron" computers and computing equipment, mostly from IBM, and mostly from the 1940's through 1970's. The Gallery of Old Iron has been lucky to find a few parts here and there -- some donated, some traded, and some purchased.

The lights behind many of the control panels in The Gallery of Old Iron are wired to simulate operation using modern microcontrollers. If we can't keep the whole machine, at least we can make it look like it once did.

Most of the pictures in The Gallery of Old Iron are clickable to get larger versions.


New at The Gallery

A very recent addition to The Gallery is a page dedicated to the IBM 1720 Control System (an early industrial control computer).

The Gallery has also recently added a page dedicated to the IBM 604 Calculator.

Another addition to The Gallery is a set of punch card printing drums. They can be seen on the Misc. Technologies - II page. You can also join us on a trip back in time to make some brand new punch cards.


We Get Some Great Stories!

Send yours to curator at thegalleryofoldiron dot com.

I was stationed in Germany, in 1966, in Data Automation. We used an IBM Paper Tape reader as input to some applications. It became a miserable, contrary, tape eating monster. Finally it was replaced!

When IBM was ready to scrap the "monster", I asked and received permission to use the "monster" as a morale builder. We took that old machine out back, and our computer operators were given sledge hammers and told to destroy it! In about 30 minutes the heap of mangled metal bore absolutely no resemblance to a piece of "high tech gear"!!

Carl E. Eaton, Senior Master Sergeant
U.S.A.F., Retired

System 360/370 Operator Consoles
in The Gallery's Collection

System 360

System 370

360 Model 30 (2030) 3803 Tape Control Unit
360 Multiplexor Channel (2870) 370 Model 135 (3135)
360/9020E FAA Computer 370 Model 145 (3145)
360 Model 44 (2044) 370 Model 155 (3155)
360 Model 65 (2065) 370 Model 138 (3138)
More 360's Needed 370 Model 148 (3148)
More 360's Needed 370 Model 303X (3036)
More 360's Needed 370/3890 Check Sorter

More 360 and 370 Line Photos

System 360

(Announced/Shipped)

System 370

(Announced/Shipped)

360 Model 20 (1964/66)
360 Model 22 (1971/71)
360 Model 25 (1968/68)
360 Model 30 (1964/65)
360 Model 40 (1964/65)
360 Model 44 (1965/66)
360 Model 50 (1964/65)
360 Model 65 (1965/65)
360 Model 67 (1965/66)
360 Model 75 (1965/66)
360 Model 85 (1968/69)
360 Model 91 (1964/67)
360 Model 195 (1969/71)
9020 FAA System (19xx)
360 Announce Photo (1964)
2937 Multiplication Summation Processor?
What is this?
What is this?
360 Insides
370 Model 115 (1973/74)
370 Model 125 (1972/73)
370 Model 135 (1971/72)
370 Model 138 (1976/76)
370 Model 145 (1976/77)
370 Model 148 (1976/77)
370 Model 155 (1970/71)
370 Model 158 (1972/73)
370 Model 165 (1970/71)
370 Model 168 (1972/73)
370 Model 195 (1971/73)
370E Model 3031 (/1978)
370E Model 3032 (/1978)
370E Model 3033 (/1978)

More IBM Systems

Way Back Computing

The Way Back Computing Pages contain some of The Gallery's tidbits from the dawn of the computing era. Come on in and read about the Harvard Mark 1 (IBM ASCC), IBM Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator, and more.

IBM 701 (1952)
IBM 705 (1954)
IBM 1401 (1959)
SAGE - An important early computer system
IBM 1800 Data Acquisition and Control Computer
IBM 604 Calculator (1948)
IBM 2938 Algorithmic Processor (360 Attached Processor)
IBM 1720 Control System

More Interesting Stuff

Monster CPUs from the 80's and 90's
Misc. Technologies - I
Misc. Technologies - II
The Historical Document Archive

Some Random Things Before You Leave the Gallery

Things we are searching for...
Interesting links (please nominate more!)
Can you help us identify some things and solve some mysteries?
People who have helped The Gallery of Old Iron

We Can Help

Giant Tape drive from 1955 IBM 705 sales brochure

Did you steal parts when your favorite old machine was decommissioned? Send email to The Curator (curator@thegalleryofoldiron.com). We can cleanse your soul by freeing you from those illgotten gains.