Computer History Archives Project (CHAP) | Computer History: Exploring UNIVAC 1 Components (with UNIVAC II vacuum tube module compared) 1951-58 @ComputerHistoryArchivesProject | Uploaded March 2021 | Updated October 2024, 1 week ago.
UNIVAC 1 Computer: Today we take a look at some of the UNIVAC 1 components, and compare some of the UNIVAC II boards with UNIVAC I boards. High Resolution images highlight this informal compilation of UNIVAC 1 modules and components. Shown are various modules, board components, mercury memory tanks and other aspects of the machine, and a comparison of 1951 UNIVAC 1 circuit boards with those of the 1958 UNIVAC II (as seen in Jerry Seinfeld's movie "Unfrosted" 2024) and later models.
A unique, close up look of some of the early UNIVAC components. If you like board-level components and early tech, you may find these images interesting. UNIVAC II (aka "UNIVAC 2") was outdated by the early 1960's. The UNIVAC III of 1960 was short lived, and IBM gained control of the large computer market by the time it was introduced.
Uploaded for educational and historical purposes only.
UNIVAC is a trade name of UNISYS Inc. today.
- UNIVAC was designed by J. Presper Eckert and Dr. John Mauchly, creators of the ENIAC (1946) and the BINAC (1949) . Run time: 9 minutes. Enjoy, and stay well!
{Spoiler alert: Several 1952 video clips included for historical reference are Not in “HD.”}
Acknowledgements and Sources:
With sincere thanks to UNISYS Corporation, owner of the UNIVAC trademark and trade name.
unisys.com
For further information, these excellent sources are recommended:
Computer History Museum
computerhistory.org
VIPClubMN: Information Technology Pioneers Retirees and former employees of Unisys, Lockheed Martin, and their heritage companies
VIPClubMN.org
UNIVAC 1 Computer (George Michael)
computer-history.info/Page4.dir/pages/Univac.dir
UNISYS: Company History
unisys.com/aboutus/company-history
History & Evolution of 1100/2200 series mainframe technology (Unisys)
vipclubmn.org/Articles/HISTORY1100series.pdf
Ed Thelen’s Computer History Site
ed-thelen.org/comp-hist
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 60 years of computing
energy.gov/articles/timeline-60-years-computing-lawrence-livermore-national-lab
Various semiconductor product names are mentioned in this video, including:
Clevite; Transitron; Dumont; Dubilier; Radell; Electra;
The following sites have great historical background on many early electronic components.
Antique Tech.Com
antiquetech.com
Semiconductor Museum
semiconductormuseum.com/Museum_Index.htm
Transparent Sound
transparentsound.com/transistors/vintage-transistors/brand-history/brand-history.htm
Note: Some of the UNIVAC 1 boards featured in this video were originally from the estate of Ed Lankford, UNIVAC Engineer. Ed Lankford worked in Paul Lawson's group in Nashville. Ed Lankford held the distinction of being the person who maintained the last operational UNIVAC I. Ed along with Paul Lawson also held the record of most years of UNIVAC I experience.
UNIVAC 1 Computer: Today we take a look at some of the UNIVAC 1 components, and compare some of the UNIVAC II boards with UNIVAC I boards. High Resolution images highlight this informal compilation of UNIVAC 1 modules and components. Shown are various modules, board components, mercury memory tanks and other aspects of the machine, and a comparison of 1951 UNIVAC 1 circuit boards with those of the 1958 UNIVAC II (as seen in Jerry Seinfeld's movie "Unfrosted" 2024) and later models.
A unique, close up look of some of the early UNIVAC components. If you like board-level components and early tech, you may find these images interesting. UNIVAC II (aka "UNIVAC 2") was outdated by the early 1960's. The UNIVAC III of 1960 was short lived, and IBM gained control of the large computer market by the time it was introduced.
Uploaded for educational and historical purposes only.
UNIVAC is a trade name of UNISYS Inc. today.
- UNIVAC was designed by J. Presper Eckert and Dr. John Mauchly, creators of the ENIAC (1946) and the BINAC (1949) . Run time: 9 minutes. Enjoy, and stay well!
{Spoiler alert: Several 1952 video clips included for historical reference are Not in “HD.”}
Acknowledgements and Sources:
With sincere thanks to UNISYS Corporation, owner of the UNIVAC trademark and trade name.
unisys.com
For further information, these excellent sources are recommended:
Computer History Museum
computerhistory.org
VIPClubMN: Information Technology Pioneers Retirees and former employees of Unisys, Lockheed Martin, and their heritage companies
VIPClubMN.org
UNIVAC 1 Computer (George Michael)
computer-history.info/Page4.dir/pages/Univac.dir
UNISYS: Company History
unisys.com/aboutus/company-history
History & Evolution of 1100/2200 series mainframe technology (Unisys)
vipclubmn.org/Articles/HISTORY1100series.pdf
Ed Thelen’s Computer History Site
ed-thelen.org/comp-hist
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 60 years of computing
energy.gov/articles/timeline-60-years-computing-lawrence-livermore-national-lab
Various semiconductor product names are mentioned in this video, including:
Clevite; Transitron; Dumont; Dubilier; Radell; Electra;
The following sites have great historical background on many early electronic components.
Antique Tech.Com
antiquetech.com
Semiconductor Museum
semiconductormuseum.com/Museum_Index.htm
Transparent Sound
transparentsound.com/transistors/vintage-transistors/brand-history/brand-history.htm
Note: Some of the UNIVAC 1 boards featured in this video were originally from the estate of Ed Lankford, UNIVAC Engineer. Ed Lankford worked in Paul Lawson's group in Nashville. Ed Lankford held the distinction of being the person who maintained the last operational UNIVAC I. Ed along with Paul Lawson also held the record of most years of UNIVAC I experience.
