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Looking for info about the Burroughs E-101 [message #402443] Thu, 26 November 2020 15:21 Go to next message
Anonymous
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Originally posted by: Peter Capek

I'm trying to learn more about this machine which was originally made by Electrodata, and sold in the late 1950s and 1960s. It was a desk size machine that was programmed by inserting metal pins about the size of a wooden match into holes in boards about 4 by 15 inches. I believe it was targeted at the bookkeeping and accounting market, but I know it had some scientific users as well. I've been unable to find any documentation on it beyond a very simple representation of its data flow.

If anyone seeing this has any experience with this machine, I would be grateful
to hear from you. Thanks.

Peter Capek
capek@hey.com or peter.capek@gmail.com
Re: Looking for info about the Burroughs E-101 [message #402451 is a reply to message #402443] Fri, 27 November 2020 00:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Quadibloc is currently offline  Quadibloc
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Registered: June 2012
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I have no experience with that machine, but I do remember reading a book from
a library that had a fairly nice description of how it worked. So it was not
entirely forgotten, and you may ultimately have some success in your
search.

John Savard
Re: Looking for info about the Burroughs E-101 [message #402461 is a reply to message #402443] Fri, 27 November 2020 14:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
John Levine is currently offline  John Levine
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Registered: December 2011
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In article <1313e482-934b-4342-b12d-af0c75d37024n@googlegroups.com>,
capek@ieee.org <Peter Capek> wrote:
> I'm trying to learn more about this machine which was originally made by Electrodata, and sold in the late 1950s
> and 1960s. It was a desk size machine that was programmed by inserting metal pins about the size of a wooden
> match into holes in boards about 4 by 15 inches. I believe it was targeted at the bookkeeping and accounting
> market, but I know it had some scientific users as well. I've been unable to find any documentation on it
> beyond a very simple representation of its data flow.

This article has a fairly complete description of how it works. In the
Q&A at the end someone asked for more details about the instruction
set.

It has two engineering applications as examples, numerical integration
and data reduction.

https://www.computer.org/csdl/pds/api/csdl/proceedings/downl oad-article/12OmNs5rl2s/pdf

This German blog entry is also interesting:

https://blog.hnf.de/burroughs-e101-computer-mit-stecknadeln/

--
Regards,
John Levine, johnl@taugh.com, Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies",
Please consider the environment before reading this e-mail. https://jl.ly
Re: Looking for info about the Burroughs E-101 [message #402474 is a reply to message #402443] Sat, 28 November 2020 10:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
scott is currently offline  scott
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Registered: February 2012
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"capek@ieee.org <Peter Capek>" <peter.capek@gmail.com> writes:
> I'm trying to learn more about this machine which was originally made by El=
> ectrodata, and sold in the late 1950s and 1960s. It was a desk size machi=
> ne that was programmed by inserting metal pins about the size of a wooden m=
> atch into holes in boards about 4 by 15 inches. I believe it was targeted=
> at the bookkeeping and accounting market, but I know it had some scientifi=
> c users as well. I've been unable to find any documentation on it beyond =
> a very simple representation of its data flow.
>
> If anyone seeing this has any experience with this machine, I would be grat=
> eful
> to hear from you. Thanks.

I have, in a box in storage, "Electrodata 101 Handbook (Advanced Programming)",
"You can program the electrodata E101" and "Introduction to E101". It's
been my intent to give those to Al Kossow for bitsavers.org.

These are the master copies from the Burroughs (Electrodata) Pasadena
plant copy center. The Pasadena plant was where the E101 (and the
datatron 220, and the 100/200/300 series that led to the B3500 were
designed and built. The B5000 was also designed and built in Pasadena.
Re: Looking for info about the Burroughs E-101 [message #402477 is a reply to message #402474] Sat, 28 November 2020 13:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Peter Flass is currently offline  Peter Flass
Messages: 8375
Registered: December 2011
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Scott Lurndal <scott@slp53.sl.home> wrote:
> "capek@ieee.org <Peter Capek>" <peter.capek@gmail.com> writes:
>> I'm trying to learn more about this machine which was originally made by El=
>> ectrodata, and sold in the late 1950s and 1960s. It was a desk size machi=
>> ne that was programmed by inserting metal pins about the size of a wooden m=
>> atch into holes in boards about 4 by 15 inches. I believe it was targeted=
>> at the bookkeeping and accounting market, but I know it had some scientifi=
>> c users as well. I've been unable to find any documentation on it beyond =
>> a very simple representation of its data flow.
>>
>> If anyone seeing this has any experience with this machine, I would be grat=
>> eful
>> to hear from you. Thanks.
>
> I have, in a box in storage, "Electrodata 101 Handbook (Advanced Programming)",
> "You can program the electrodata E101" and "Introduction to E101". It's
> been my intent to give those to Al Kossow for bitsavers.org.
>
> These are the master copies from the Burroughs (Electrodata) Pasadena
> plant copy center. The Pasadena plant was where the E101 (and the
> datatron 220, and the 100/200/300 series that led to the B3500 were
> designed and built. The B5000 was also designed and built in Pasadena.
>

Must have been an interesting place to work.

--
Pete
Re: Looking for info about the Burroughs E-101 [message #402479 is a reply to message #402477] Sat, 28 November 2020 15:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
scott is currently offline  scott
Messages: 4237
Registered: February 2012
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Peter Flass <peter_flass@yahoo.com> writes:
> Scott Lurndal <scott@slp53.sl.home> wrote:
>> "capek@ieee.org <Peter Capek>" <peter.capek@gmail.com> writes:
>>> I'm trying to learn more about this machine which was originally made by El=
>>> ectrodata, and sold in the late 1950s and 1960s. It was a desk size machi=
>>> ne that was programmed by inserting metal pins about the size of a wooden m=
>>> atch into holes in boards about 4 by 15 inches. I believe it was targeted=
>>> at the bookkeeping and accounting market, but I know it had some scientifi=
>>> c users as well. I've been unable to find any documentation on it beyond =
>>> a very simple representation of its data flow.
>>>
>>> If anyone seeing this has any experience with this machine, I would be grat=
>>> eful
>>> to hear from you. Thanks.
>>
>> I have, in a box in storage, "Electrodata 101 Handbook (Advanced Programming)",
>> "You can program the electrodata E101" and "Introduction to E101". It's
>> been my intent to give those to Al Kossow for bitsavers.org.
>>
>> These are the master copies from the Burroughs (Electrodata) Pasadena
>> plant copy center. The Pasadena plant was where the E101 (and the
>> datatron 220, and the 100/200/300 series that led to the B3500 were
>> designed and built. The B5000 was also designed and built in Pasadena.
>>
>
> Must have been an interesting place to work.

A lot of history in that building; Building A was built circa 1956 for
Electrodata, a few years later it was extended by buildings b, c, d and
e (under a single roof). Ground floor was executive offices, MIS (a
B6900 in the 80's), qa, and the manufacturing floor. Basement was
programming and engineering, drafting, records/reproduction and the
cafeteria. The building was on a slope, so the basement was open
on the east and south-east sides of the building. A sub-basement had
receiving, machine/carpentry shop and IC test (later, a B7900 which
was used to simulate the next generation medium systems processor).

With the B5500/B6500, engineering/programming for large systems moved to
Mission Viejo in SoCal and Tredyffrin in Pa, the medium systems line (B3x00, B4x00, V-series)
stayed in Pasadena and small systems (B1700 et al) moved to Santa
Barbara.

Medium systems Manufacturing moved to Mission Viejo in the late 80's, and
the Pasadena plant was remodeled; a light well was constructed around the north
side of the building so windows could be added to the basement, the ramp
to the sub-basement was filled in and a lobby was added at the east end;
the manufacturing floor was remodeled into a maze of individual hardwall
offices and everyone moved up from the basement; which was then gutted and
remodeled. It was during that period that we discarded a bunch of 7-track
tapes with the original CP (control program), BCP (Basic Control Program)
and MCP (Master Control program) sources, and likely what was left from
the Electrodata 101/220, Burroughs 100/200/300 and early B5000 development.

Wish we'd thought to preserve it for the future Computer History Museum,
or even so I had early software for my medium systems simulator :-)

The plant was closed in 1992, after moving everyone to Mission Viejo
(or in some cases Tredyffrin); we had a nice party.

JPL moved in after Unisys moved out; last I heard, the basement had
been turned into a Fitness center.

460 Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, Ca.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/460+Sierra+Madre+Villa+Ave ,+Pasadena,+CA+91107/@34.1545434,-118.082778,17z/data=!3m1!4 b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2dc9b81295419:0x38d09a0ffb858f19!8m2!3d34. 154539!4d-118.0805893

South of it (now a stripmall), was Kodak's data division. There was
a gas station on the corner of N Halstead and N Rosemead (now
a Carl's Jr. fast food joint) that was used
in the filming of Steve Martin's _The Jerk_; we used to watch the filming
at lunch time.

The lightwell that was added on the north side is visible in the satellite view.

The rose parade ended a half mile from the plant at PHS (Eddie Van Halen's alma matter;
Eddie's dad was a janitor at the pasadena plant).
Re: Looking for info about the Burroughs E-101 [message #402492 is a reply to message #402474] Sun, 29 November 2020 09:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Quadibloc is currently offline  Quadibloc
Messages: 4399
Registered: June 2012
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Senior Member
On Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 8:59:49 AM UTC-7, Scott Lurndal wrote:

> I have, in a box in storage, "Electrodata 101 Handbook (Advanced Programming)",
> "You can program the electrodata E101" and "Introduction to E101". It's
> been my intent to give those to Al Kossow for bitsavers.org.

> These are the master copies from the Burroughs (Electrodata) Pasadena
> plant copy center. The Pasadena plant was where the E101 (and the
> datatron 220, and the 100/200/300 series that led to the B3500 were
> designed and built. The B5000 was also designed and built in Pasadena.

I first read your post yesterday.

This morning, I found that 花のあすか組!2 ロンリーキャッツ・バトルロイヤル has turned up!

The legendary lost anime, Hana no Asuka-gumi 2, Lonely Cats Battle Royale!

And you can watch it too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv7kN6h1DuY

even with English fansubs!

So if _that_ can turn up, that the manual for the Electrodata E101 could turn up should not
seem remarkable in comparison.

John Savard
Re: Looking for info about the Burroughs E-101 [message #402504 is a reply to message #402479] Sun, 29 November 2020 19:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Peter Flass is currently offline  Peter Flass
Messages: 8375
Registered: December 2011
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Senior Member
Scott Lurndal <scott@slp53.sl.home> wrote:
> Peter Flass <peter_flass@yahoo.com> writes:
>> Scott Lurndal <scott@slp53.sl.home> wrote:
>>> "capek@ieee.org <Peter Capek>" <peter.capek@gmail.com> writes:
>>>> I'm trying to learn more about this machine which was originally made by El=
>>>> ectrodata, and sold in the late 1950s and 1960s. It was a desk size machi=
>>>> ne that was programmed by inserting metal pins about the size of a wooden m=
>>>> atch into holes in boards about 4 by 15 inches. I believe it was targeted=
>>>> at the bookkeeping and accounting market, but I know it had some scientifi=
>>>> c users as well. I've been unable to find any documentation on it beyond =
>>>> a very simple representation of its data flow.
>>>>
>>>> If anyone seeing this has any experience with this machine, I would be grat=
>>>> eful
>>>> to hear from you. Thanks.
>>>
>>> I have, in a box in storage, "Electrodata 101 Handbook (Advanced Programming)",
>>> "You can program the electrodata E101" and "Introduction to E101". It's
>>> been my intent to give those to Al Kossow for bitsavers.org.
>>>
>>> These are the master copies from the Burroughs (Electrodata) Pasadena
>>> plant copy center. The Pasadena plant was where the E101 (and the
>>> datatron 220, and the 100/200/300 series that led to the B3500 were
>>> designed and built. The B5000 was also designed and built in Pasadena.
>>>
>>
>> Must have been an interesting place to work.
>
> A lot of history in that building; Building A was built circa 1956 for
> Electrodata, a few years later it was extended by buildings b, c, d and
> e (under a single roof). Ground floor was executive offices, MIS (a
> B6900 in the 80's), qa, and the manufacturing floor. Basement was
> programming and engineering, drafting, records/reproduction and the
> cafeteria. The building was on a slope, so the basement was open
> on the east and south-east sides of the building. A sub-basement had
> receiving, machine/carpentry shop and IC test (later, a B7900 which
> was used to simulate the next generation medium systems processor).
>
> With the B5500/B6500, engineering/programming for large systems moved to
> Mission Viejo in SoCal and Tredyffrin in Pa, the medium systems line
> (B3x00, B4x00, V-series)
> stayed in Pasadena and small systems (B1700 et al) moved to Santa
> Barbara.
>
> Medium systems Manufacturing moved to Mission Viejo in the late 80's, and
> the Pasadena plant was remodeled; a light well was constructed around the north
> side of the building so windows could be added to the basement, the ramp
> to the sub-basement was filled in and a lobby was added at the east end;
> the manufacturing floor was remodeled into a maze of individual hardwall
> offices and everyone moved up from the basement; which was then gutted and
> remodeled. It was during that period that we discarded a bunch of 7-track
> tapes with the original CP (control program), BCP (Basic Control Program)
> and MCP (Master Control program) sources, and likely what was left from
> the Electrodata 101/220, Burroughs 100/200/300 and early B5000 development.
>
> Wish we'd thought to preserve it for the future Computer History Museum,
> or even so I had early software for my medium systems simulator :-)
>
> The plant was closed in 1992, after moving everyone to Mission Viejo
> (or in some cases Tredyffrin); we had a nice party.
>
> JPL moved in after Unisys moved out; last I heard, the basement had
> been turned into a Fitness center.
>
> 460 Sierra Madre Blvd.
> Pasadena, Ca.
>
> https://www.google.com/maps/place/460+Sierra+Madre+Villa+Ave ,+Pasadena,+CA+91107/@34.1545434,-118.082778,17z/data=!3m1!4 b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2dc9b81295419:0x38d09a0ffb858f19!8m2!3d34. 154539!4d-118.0805893
>
> South of it (now a stripmall), was Kodak's data division. There was
> a gas station on the corner of N Halstead and N Rosemead (now
> a Carl's Jr. fast food joint) that was used
> in the filming of Steve Martin's _The Jerk_; we used to watch the filming
> at lunch time.
>
> The lightwell that was added on the north side is visible in the satellite view.
>
> The rose parade ended a half mile from the plant at PHS (Eddie Van Halen's alma matter;
> Eddie's dad was a janitor at the pasadena plant).
>

Still an “Electronic Drive” on the map.

--
Pete
Re: Looking for info about the Burroughs E-101 [message #402545 is a reply to message #402443] Wed, 02 December 2020 03:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Robin Vowels is currently offline  Robin Vowels
Messages: 426
Registered: July 2012
Karma: 0
Senior Member
On Friday, November 27, 2020 at 7:21:18 AM UTC+11, c.....@ieee.org <Peter Capek> wrote:
> I'm trying to learn more about this machine which was originally made by Electrodata, and sold in the late 1950s and 1960s. It was a desk size machine that was programmed by inserting metal pins about the size of a wooden match into holes in boards about 4 by 15 inches. I believe it was targeted at the bookkeeping and accounting market, but I know it had some scientific users as well. I've been unable to find any documentation on it beyond a very simple representation of its data flow.
>
> If anyone seeing this has any experience with this machine, I would be grateful
> to hear from you. Thanks.
..
Just google for that model, and you will find articles with specifications
and photographs.
Re: Looking for info about the Burroughs E-101 [message #402719 is a reply to message #402443] Fri, 11 December 2020 09:54 Go to previous message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: stefano capelli

http://www.ruddcanaday.com/burroughs-e101/
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