• 1955

Hardware Description

The IBM 838 placed facts stored in the 650's disk storage at the user's fingertips. The inquiry station transmitted requests for specific information, such as the status of an account, to disk storage. The requested data were immediately located and typed out at any desired station. In addition, during processing operations, the 838 could bring to management's attention specific results of particular interest or significance, and it could also introduce limited amounts of data into the 650.