IBM 3740
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Data entry, Computer hardware |
| Predecessor | Unit record equipment using IBM card technology |
| Founded | January 1973 |
| Defunct | December 1983 |
| Successor | IBM 5280 |
| Headquarters | Rochester, Minnesota , United States |
| Products | Data entry workstations, diskette drives, printers, data converters |
IBM 3740 Data Entry System was launched by IBM in 1973 as a pioneering solution for data input, utilizing the novel 8-inch floppy diskette to facilitate rapid and adaptable data entry in both centralized and decentralized settings. This platform established the groundwork for the floppy disk format that subsequently became the industry benchmark incorporated in IBM PCs throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1980, it was replaced by the IBM 5280, which introduced full programmability.
History
Introduced in January 1973 and commercially available by the second quarter of that year, the IBM 3740 was engineered by IBM’s General Systems Division based in Rochester, Minnesota. It was designed to supplant conventional unit record equipment reliant on IBM card technology. The product was discontinued in December 1983.
Configuration
The IBM 3740 system consisted of the following components:
- IBM 3741 Data Station (offered in four variants)
- IBM 3742 Dual Data Station (tailored for environments requiring high-volume data entry)
- IBM 3747 Data Converter (a diskette feeder converting data to half-inch tape or enabling distribution via network or telephone lines)
- IBM 3713 Printer (matrix printer capable of up to 40 characters per second)
- IBM 3715 Printer (bi-directional matrix printer with speeds ranging from 40 to 80 characters per second, optionally reaching 120 cps)
- IBM 3717 Printer (line printer delivering between 120 and 155 lines per minute)
- IBM 3540 Diskette I/O Unit (supports up to 20 diskettes, facilitating integration with mainframe and midrange computers)
Organizations selected system components based on their operational requirements and budget constraints. Smaller offices generally employed several data stations, sometimes paired with printers. Larger installations often combined multiple dual data stations with data converters and high-speed printers. Lead operators typically oversaw these setups from dedicated stations, adjusting configurations according to organizational scale and workflow needs.
Equipment
The IBM 3740 System was crafted to support on-site data entry independent of central host systems. Its workstations could be deployed in diverse environments, with the dual workstation model nearly doubling throughput for high-capacity data entry operations. Additional capabilities included interfacing with mainframe computers via a Data Converter and transferring data over communication networks. Printing speeds at local stations ranged from 40 cps up to 120 cps on selected IBM 3741 models, enhancing operational efficiency.
- IBM 3741 Data Station
The IBM 3741 served as a desktop workstation equipped with an ergonomically positioned floppy disk drive. It enabled saving data on diskettes that could be transmitted electronically or physically transported, replacing traditional noisy key punch machines and card decks. Four versions were available, some featuring printer interfaces compatible with the IBM 3713, 3715, or 3717 printers. Models three and four supported ACL, an assembler-like programming language allowing limited user customization and tailored prompting aligned with business processes.
- IBM 3742 Dual Data Station
Slightly larger than the IBM 3741, the IBM 3742 included two monitors, keyboards, and drives arranged for operators seated on opposite sides, effectively nearly doubling operator density. However, it provided fewer features compared to the standard IBM 3741.
- IBM 3747 Data Converter
The IBM 3747 acted as a centralized unit receiving data from various IBM 3740 media formats, converting diskette-stored information onto tape drives compatible with user systems (supporting both 7- and 9-track tapes at multiple speeds). It also performed reverse conversions by reading tape data and transmitting it over communication channels. This sizable device utilized traditional card-on-board electronics incorporating TTL logic and proprietary integrated circuits.
- IBM 3713 and IBM 3715 Printers
Both models are matrix printers sharing core technology but differ in speed capabilities: the IBM 3713 operates at a fixed rate of 40 characters per second, whereas the IBM 3715 supports variable speeds of 40, 80, or optionally up to 120 cps. The bi-directional printing feature of the IBM 3715 enhances throughput and integrates seamlessly with the IBM 3741 workstation. Adjusting printer speeds requires minor hardware modifications such as changing motors or pulleys.
- IBM 3717 Printer
This larger band printer is engineered for high-speed output measured in lines per minute—delivering between 120 lines per minute with a wider character band (64 characters) or up to 155 lines per minute using a narrower band (48 characters). It produces higher print quality than matrix printers but involves greater acquisition and maintenance costs due to expensive replaceable print bands. Despite its superior speed and quality advantages, its cost limited widespread adoption among many enterprises.
- IBM 3540 Diskette Input/Output Unit
Although not officially part of the IBM 3740 system, the standalone IBM 3540 provides high-speed diskette input/output functionality over Token Ring LAN connections. Comparable in size to the Data Converter unit, it employs card-on-board architecture utilizing standard TTL logic alongside proprietary ICs.
See also
External links
- IBM 3740 Launch Details (1973) (IBM Archives)