IBM 1401
IBM 1401 at Computer History Museum | |
| Designer | IBM |
|---|---|
| Bits | 6-bits plus word mark and parity |
| Introduced | 1959 |
| Design | CISC |
| Type | Memory-Memory |
| Encoding | Variable |
| Branching | Branch instruction with modifier character |
| Endianness | Big-endian |
| Registers | |
| 3: Instruction Address Register (IAR), Instruction Register (IR), B Register | |
The IBM 1401 is a variable-wordlength decimal computer that was announced by IBM on October 5, 1959. The first member of the highly successful IBM 1400 series, it was aimed at replacing unit record equipment for processing data stored on punched cards and at providing peripheral services for larger computers. The 1401 is considered by IBM to be the Ford Model-T of the computer industry due to its mass appeal. Over 12,000 units were produced and many were leased or resold after they were replaced with newer technology. The 1401 was withdrawn on February 8, 1971.