Description of Photograph

The International Computers Limited 2900 series of mainframe computer systems was launched in 1974 and represented ICL's most successful product line.  Development on the range began immediately upon the company's formation, by merger of International Computers and Tabulators, English Electric Leo Marconi, and Elliott Automation, in 1968.  The series was designed to incorporate the best of each company's machines, to 'achieve company unity'.  The series was superseded by ICL's Series 39 range in 1985.

The ICL 2976's Store Memory Access Controller (SMAC) consisted of two cabinets (see photos) and contained 2MB of memory. The maximum on the system was 16MB. The Disc File Controller (DFC) consisted of two cabinets which had approximately 360 printed circuit boards and controlled access to up to 16 exchangeable disc stores (EDS), each of which could hold 200MB of data. Each exchangeable disc pack weighed approximately 12lb (6kg).

These photographs and the accompanying information were kindly donated to us by Derek Miles, who worked on the machines in the role of Worldwide Support Engineer.

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH39329. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.