| Information: | The 029 card punch was introduced at the same time as System/360. Mechanically it was almost identical to its predecessor, the 026. However it introduced a wider set of special characters, requiring a larger print code plate. Early 029s used reed relays on SMS cards. This was later superseded by wire contact relays on a relay gate for increased reliability. Everything ran on 48 volts DC. The vacuum tubes (valves) used in the 026 were not required. In fact it is thought that the valves were only used in the earlier machines to facilitate hiring Customer Engineers with electronic as well as electrical and mechanical skills! |