Today we examine a rare marketing film by IBM showing the unique System/7 computer of 1971. It has been partially restored from the original. Designed for industrial control, security tracking and reporting, it was announced on October 28, 1970 and first shipped in 1971. It was a 16-bit machine and one of the first made by IBM to use semiconductor memory (monolithic circuits), instead of magnetic core memory typical of time period. Built at IBM’s Boca Raton facility, the first computer was delivered to AMC (American Motors Corporation), Kenosha, Wisconsin. Hundreds of units were ultimately sold to ATT, the U.S. Defense Department, and to maritime customers for ship board computing around the world. Other customers included University of Pennsylvania, Gulf Life Tower in Jacksonville, Florida, Pfizer Corporation, Saco-Lowell Corporation, and many others. It was marketed until March 20, 1984. The film is a bit quirky, but preserved here for historical and educational purposes, and for discussion and comment. Its exact title is "Where the Action is" and the date as far we can determine is 1973. Runs about 14 mins. with an image gallery at the end. (Editing by Computer History Archives Project - CHAP, an independent educational research project.)

2k and 4k stock footage available from Periscope Film
Periscopefilm.com

IBM film and photos courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation.

For more more information, visit

IBM Archives
IBM.com

Computer History Museum
computerhistory.org