IBM 370 printer

The 370 was connected to the 305 by a serial data line from the S track of the computer's drum memory (the printer and punch both obtain information from a single output track, the control as to what information to print or punch and how, is within the print and punch units)[1] and printed 80-columns with a punched tape controlled carriage.

Line formatting was programmed by inserting wire jumpers into a plugboard control panel.

[2] The printer mechanism used an eight sided, seven position (56 character) print slug in a horizontal orientation.

The platen hammer then struck the paper from behind, causing the selected character to print.

[3] The printer can achieve the speed of 50 columns per second, with processing of 30 cards per minute; At two seconds per line can be achieved 1,800 lines per hour.