Computer-in-a-Desk
IBM 1130
The 1130 was unusual in offering removable disk storage and a full line of peripherals including card readers and printers. IBM also offered over 50 programs for specialized tasks such as highway alignment, bridge design and subdivision layout for civil engineers.
Computer-in-a-Desk
IBM’s least expensive machine in 1965 gives new meaning to the phrase, “desktop computer.”
Conceived by Arnie Spielberg (father of movie producer Steven Spielberg), the 16-bit mini originally sold as the rack-mounted IBM 1800 for process control. IBM repackaged it in a desk as the 1130, selling thousands for engineering and scientific use.
Arnold Spielberg in GE newsletter
Arnie Spielberg developed the concept and overall architectural design of the IBM 1800 process control computer. He received the IEEE’s Computer Pioneer Award in 2006.
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IBM 1130 at Argonne National Laboratory
Physicists at Argonne National Labs used the 1130 to solve equations for their experiments. Programs were mostly written in the FORTRAN programming language.
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