The IBM 7080 was a variable word length BCD transistor computer in the IBM 700/7000 series commercial architecture line, introduced in August 1961, that provided an upgrade path from the vacuum-tube IBM 705 computer.That prompted the development of the 7080, which was fully compatible with all models of the 705 and added many improvements.For backward compatibility with the IBM 705 the machine had two switches on the operator's control panel, 705 I-II and 40K memory, that selected the mode the machine started in.[2] The IBM 7622 Signal Control unit could be added to the system to convert transistor signal levels to levels usable with first generation equipment, allowing all 705 peripherals, including punched card input/output with the IBM 7502 card reader, line printers and the IBM 727 magnetic tape drives, to be used on the 7080.Second generation IBM 729 magnetic tape drives connected to the CPU via the IBM 7621 Tape Control.
IBM 7080
The IBM 7080 system: Visible are the IBM 7153 Console Control unit with IBM 7503 Console Card Reader (front left), as well as the IBM 729 Magnetic Tape units along left wall, the IBM 7621 Tape Control unit (back middle), and the IBM 7102 Arithmetic and Logical unit (back right),
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at IBM headquarters, White Plains, New York, 1961
