AN IBM SYSTEM 360 MODEL 91 - photo 1
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AN IBM SYSTEM 360 MODEL 91

Lot 22
10.09.2024 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 189 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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Archive
ID 1279143
Lot 22 | AN IBM SYSTEM 360 MODEL 91
Estimate value
$ 40 000 – 60 000
AN IBM SYSTEM 360 MODEL 91
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, 1966
A freestanding unit with later plexi protective cover, together with original metal cover

A rare and significant piece of computing history, the IBM 360/91 was introduced in 1964 and designed for high-speed data processing, particularly for scientific research.

Its capabilities were demonstrated in landmark missions, including the Pioneer 10 mission, where it managed data processing, trajectory calculations, and communications at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Only fifteen units were ever produced, marking it as exceptionally rare. At Princeton University, this console supported complex astrophysics research, serving both faculty and students. It exemplifies the high-performance computing era when batch processing was the norm, with users submitting jobs to operators who handled execution and output.

The IBM 360/91 was innovative for its time due to its implementation of the Solid Logic Technology (SLT), which represented a significant leap in miniaturizing and increasing the reliability of electronic components. This technology allowed the 360/91 to achieve unprecedented speeds and computational power, setting new standards for scientific computing. Additionally, the 360/91 introduced advanced features such as hardware floating-point arithmetic, which greatly enhanced its ability to perform complex calculations required for scientific simulations and space missions.

This example was restored with new circuitry added, the console now includes an animated display demonstrating its operation, complete with a playful light show currently programmed where Pac-Man chases a ghost, adding a touch of modern whimsy to its historical significance and demonstrating that the panel is fully programmable.

The IBM 360/91 console stands as a testament to the advanced technology of its era, representing the height of the System/360 line and offering a rare glimpse into the computing innovations of the 1960s.
64 ¼ in. (163.2 cm.) high, 68 ¾ in. (174.6 cm.) wide, 28 ¼ in. (71.8 cm.) deep




Provenance

Princeton University.



Exhibited

Tomorrowland (Walt Disney Pictures), May 2015.



Further details

This lot is subject to additional disclaimers. Please carefully review Section E(2), subsection (m) “Vintage Computers and Machines”.
Auction house category:All other types of objects, Instruments
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
10.09.2024 – 10.09.2024
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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