Computer History: World's FASTEST Computer! - 1961-1964 in vintage film & photos (IBM supercomputer)

Computer History: World’s Fastest Computer explores the origin of the IBM STRETCH computer of 1960. Known as the IBM 7030. Selected rare video and vintage photos show the early days of this giant computer. Project Director Steve Dunwell introduces the machine in a rare 1960’s film excerpt, plus scenes of the giant STRETCH in operation at the U.S. Weather Bureau in 1960. Only 9 STRETCH computers were ever made. IBM sold them for just under $8 million each, but took a loss. The machine remained the fastest computer in existence from 1961 until 1964. In this presentation, other early systems, 704, NORC, 7090, are also seen. Explore the early days of supercomputers. We hope you enjoy this look behind the scenes during the early development of this giant machine, which included technical advancements that also appeared in other IBM machines in the years following. Run time; about 13 mins, with Appendix.
With special thanks to IBM Archives and Max Campbell for vintage IBM film and images, and to U.S. Navy Archives, Charles Babbage Institute, Computer History Museum, Bitsavers archive and others. see acknowledgments pages 11:06

For educational and historical review and comment only.
Films © International Business Machines Corporation
Uploaded by Computer History Archives Project (CHAP), an independent educational research activity.

For more information on the IBM STRETCH computer (IBM 7030), several good sources are available online, in particular, the following book by Werner Buchholz.

Title: “Planning a Computer System—The STRETCH” edited by Werner Buchholz is available in full text online here:
https://archive.org/details/bitsavers...


IBM Heritage
https://www.ibm.com/history

Charles Babbage Institute (Oral Histories)
(University of Minnesota)
https://conservancy.umn.edu/items/663...

Computer History Museum
http://www.computerhistory.org


NOTE: STRETCH System Physical Size and Electrical Power Requirements:
The Stretch CPU (Central Processing Unit) contained approximately 169,000 transistors, and had a power consumption of 21.6 KW. The CPU dimensions were approximately 31 feet long by 7 feet deep by 6 feet tall, or about 1,300 square feet.

The total system covered over 2,500 square feet. Overall power consumption was listed as 100 KW at 110 volts (but that number depends on which auxiliary modules are included in the total.) The system weighed approximately 40,000 Ibs.

Only Nine machines were ultimately produced and sold for about $7.78 million each in 1961. (Equivalent to $81,585,400 in 2024 dollars). (This is a reduction from the $13.5 million each that IBM had intended to sell them for, but reduced the price when the machine fell short of promised calculation speeds. However, it was still the fastest in the world at the time it was delivered in 1961.)
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