The Gallery of Old Iron

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.

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.

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

More 360 and 370 Line Photos

System 360

(Announced/Shipped)

System 370

(Announced/Shipped)

More IBM Systems

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.

More Interesting Stuff

Some Random Things Before You Leave the Gallery

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.