Computer History Museum

SAGE Weapons Director Console - With Light Gun

<p>This console was the user interface to the SAGE (Semi- Automatic Ground Environment) computer system known as the "FSQ-7." Begun in 1952 (and operational six years later), SAGE became the first U.S. continental air defense system, linking dozens of radar stations, weather bureaus, airports, and air force command centers together into a real-time early warning system. It comprised redundant CPUs, modems, "light gun" input, and earned its IBM, its prime contractor, over $1 billion in revenues over the life of the system. Despite it's complement of more than 50,000 vacuum tubes, the FSQ-7 was highly reliable (&gt; 99.97% uptime). Gray with yellow scope</p>

SAGE Weapons Director Console - With Light Gun - Image 1
SAGE Weapons Director Console - With Light Gun - Image 2

Item Details

Date
1958 (Made)
Type
Physical Object
Catalogue number
X263.83
Other identifying number
SAGE (MODEL NUMBER)
Organization
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) (Manufacturer)
Category
CRT
Credit line
Gift of the National Museum of Science and Technology - Ottawa
Place of publication
North America/USA
Dimension
44 1/2w x 49h x 6l (in)
113.03w x 124.46h x 152.4l (cm)
Acquisition number
X263.83