Philips P354 Visible Records Computer

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This floor standing vintage computer was released in 1969.

The late 60’s saw the introduction of the ‘Visible Records Computer’ - a machine based on punch card input and magnetic strip ledger cards for data storage. The ledger cards were simultaneously updated with information printed on the front of the card and electronically on the magnetic strip. They were generally used for managing financial records.

This machine had 400 words of magnetic core memory which is an early form of the Random Access Memory (RAM) used in modern computers.

MLC - Magnetic Ledger Cards
Accounts information was stored digitally on the same card that it was visibly printed on, so anyone could reads the information without the need to consult the computer.

Specifications :
MLC Card Storage : Upto 336 Characters
Program Storage : Punch Cards
Card Reading Speed : 45 to 60 Cards Per Minute
Weight : 183Kg

Taken from the sales brochure :

"No progressive organisation can afford to ignore the benefits of electronic data processing. But what is the logical way to start ... and to continue? One office computer can carry out the work of several clerks, more quickly and with little possibility of error.”

The following paragraph is taken from the St. Edmundsbury Borough Council web site :

1969

On 21st July Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the surface of the Moon.
Bury St Edmunds Borough Council installed its first computer, an NCR 500 based on punched paper tape input and magnetic strip ledger cards as backing store. The ledger cards were simultaneously updated electronically and information printed on the front of the card. This system, known as a "visible records" computer, mirrored the use of accounting machines and had 400 words of magnetic core memory. This machine was used for the financial records of the council. It would be extended in use to payroll, the rates system, and to the accounting for council house rents over the next few years. It was programmed by members of the Borough Treasurer's Department in Machine Code, where hardware instructions were represented by a three digit code, and memory was addressed in four planes of 100 words each.

See : http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/sebc/visit/1900-2000.cfm

Click for Summary of P 350 Basic and peripheral assembler instructions with their absolute equivalents(PDF 3,05Mb) with thanks to www.computer-museum.net

Manufacturer: Philips
Date: 1st June 1969

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Philips P354 Visible Records Computer Manuals:

Item	Manufacturer	Date
Philips P350 - Operating Manual	Philips	Unknown
Philips P354 - Applications Manual	Philips	1974
Circuit Diagrams for Philips P354 Visible Records Computer	Philips	1974
Philips P354 - Operator Sheets	Philips	1974
Philips - System Proposal	Philips	14 Nov 1974

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Item	Manufacturer	Date
MAG179 - Mostly PC Format Magazine		Unknown

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