Part of the IBM 7-track family of tape units, it was used on late 700, most 7000 and many 1400 series computers.
Write protection was provided by a removable plastic ring in the back of the tape reel.
Write protection was provided by a removable plastic ring in the back of the tape reel.
A 3/4 inch gap between records allowed the mechanism enough time to stop the tape.
The main improvement was the use of a dual gap head permitting write verify.
A bank of IBM 729 tape drives
Reel of tape showing beginning-of-tape reflective marker
An IBM 729 tape drive being debugged as part of the
Computer History Museum
's
IBM 1401
restoration project. A reel of magnetic tape is being loaded onto the drive. The operator's finger is holding the tape in place on the take-up reel as he takes a few turns to secure the tape leader. An
IBM 1403
line printer is in the foreground.
PFC Patricia Barbeau operates an IBM 729 at Camp Smith, Hawaii, in 1969.
