From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

Hello: I was pointed at this group by a couple of my Usenet friends in uk.d-i-y. Having quickly browsed a few recent threads here, I see yourCOre more about software than hardware, but nonetheless I suspect yourCOre mostly of the right background, and age group...

IrCOm connected with a historical collection of computing artefacts which stretch back to the pre-1960s rCo https://nuhc.ncl.ac.uk/

We have an item which had defied efforts to identify it, until just recently when, in a light-bulb moment, I asked uk-d-i-y if anyone knew what it is.

This is it:

https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_0.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_2.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_3.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_4.jpg


The long and short of the interesting discussion that followed is that it is a rCLpatchboardrCY, probably from the 60s (or earlier). WerCOd now like to identify
more closely the machine with which it might have been used.

A decisive extract from the discussion is this (from IndyJessJohn):

The first computer room I worked in had ancillary equipment for dealing with punched cards [including] an IBM Collator. rCa The whole thing was controlled by
patch boards. By connecting one hole to another by a jump lead and using a collections of such connections it was possible to programme the machine to subdivide and/or merge depending on the outcome to be achieved. The key similarity was that the control boards had a handle like the one in the picture and that allowed the control board ***to be lowered into a slot and then a lever moved the slot and board into contact with fixed connectors*** in
the machine.
The set-up I worked with had a small library of boards for commonly used jobs,
plus a small stock of blank boards and a collection of jump leads of varying lengths so that bespoke jobs could be created and broken down to its components afterwards. My job at the time included making up any bespoke boards needed.
The unit pictured is a lot smaller than the ones I wired up rCa.

At Newcastle's Computing Laboratory (founded 1957) we first had a Ferranti Pegasus, then an English Electric KDF9, then in 1967 we were granted an IBM S/360 Model 67 see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/360_Model_67

And so there are two candidates. Pegasus and KDF9, for where this object might have been used. OR: our Founder (who started the Collection c.1970) may simply have been given this object as a present by someone who knew he collected, as it were, space junk.

Any thoughts to add to what we now know, please? (Apologies for the long
post.)

Best wishes all,
Another John

PS If you want to see the whole discussion itrCOs in uk.d-i-y, the thread entitled rCLMystery Object - ancient electronics?".
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

We have an item which had defied efforts to identify it, until just recently when, in a light-bulb moment, I asked uk-d-i-y if anyone knew what it is.

This is it:

https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_0.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_2.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_3.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_4.jpg

This has a striking resemblance to the plugboards used in e.g. the
IBM unit record equipment used pre-computer for data processing.
This one seems a bit smaller than the IBM ones I've seen.

See e.g. https://www.glennsmuseum.com/items/ibm_card/

You may be looking for equipment older than either of the named
computers.

De
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

On 10/3/25 4:13 AM, Another John wrote:

The long and short of the interesting discussion that followed is that it is a
rCLpatchboardrCY, probably from the 60s (or earlier). WerCOd now like to identify
more closely the machine with which it might have been used.

Probably a matrix switch, like the ones described in http://bitsavers.org/components/amp/catalogs/1967_L-85_A-MP_Terminal_and_Connector_Handbook.pdf

page 269

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

On 3 Oct 2025 at 14:06:30 BST, "Dennis Boone" <Dennis Boone> wrote:

We have an item which had defied efforts to identify it, until just recently >> when, in a light-bulb moment, I asked uk-d-i-y if anyone knew what it is.

This is it:

https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_0.jpg
https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_2.jpg
https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_3.jpg
https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_4.jpg

This has a striking resemblance to the plugboards used in e.g. the
IBM unit record equipment used pre-computer for data processing.
This one seems a bit smaller than the IBM ones I've seen.

See e.g. https://www.glennsmuseum.com/items/ibm_card/

You may be looking for equipment older than either of the named
computers.

De

An extremely useful link, Dennis - thank you! I'll be looking at that shortly.

Another John
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

On 3 Oct 2025 at 15:42:46 BST, "Al Kossow" <aek@bitsavers.org> wrote:

On 10/3/25 4:13 AM, Another John wrote:

The long and short of the interesting discussion that followed is that it is a
rCLpatchboardrCY, probably from the 60s (or earlier). WerCOd now like to identify
more closely the machine with which it might have been used.

Probably a matrix switch, like the ones described in http://bitsavers.org/components/amp/catalogs/1967_L-85_A-MP_Terminal_and_Connector_Handbook.pdf

page 269

Another extremely useful link, Al!. As you say: p269 seems to lead into the subject that I (now) know we're involved with.

I still haven't yet found anything (anywhere) which is exactly like what we have, and there are no markings whatever on the object, except for the hand-painted numbers and letters on the grid inside. The connections are also clearly home-made, so it looks to my inexpert eye that the thing was (part of
a batch?) bought in, to be programmed in-house by the technicians available.

I've still no clue as to which machine it may have been used with [at our institution], so I conclude, for now, that either (a) we will never now find that out because the people directly concerned are all "in another place"; or it was as I've said simply a gift of an unusual object to our founding father, and actually had nothing to do with our own establishment.

Thanks for the answers so far: with your help at last I am scratching a years-old itch :-)

Another John
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

According to Dennis Boone <drb@ihatespam.msu.edu>:

We have an item which had defied efforts to identify it, until just recently
when, in a light-bulb moment, I asked uk-d-i-y if anyone knew what it is.

This is it:

https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_0.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_2.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_3.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_4.jpg

This has a striking resemblance to the plugboards used in e.g. the
IBM unit record equipment used pre-computer for data processing.

It does, but IBM plugboards had cables connecting pins all over the
board, while this thing only has some soldered jumpers connecting
adjacent pins. I wonder if it was used in some sort of cryptographic
device.
--
Regards,
John Levine, johnl@taugh.com, Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies",
Please consider the environment before reading this e-mail. https://jl.ly
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

Just a couple of observations:
1. It's a 14x24 matrix
2. It's obviously intended to be inserted somewhere and pulled more than
once
3. Maybe the pattern of connections might provide a clue?
4. Are those just connectors with no other electrical properties?
5. Is that a Bakelite board or similar, that might give a clue about age?
6. Some sort of "programming" for a device?
7. Telco patch panel of some sort?


On 10/3/25 04:13, Another John wrote:

Hello: I was pointed at this group by a couple of my Usenet friends in uk.d-i-y. Having quickly browsed a few recent threads here, I see yourCOre more
about software than hardware, but nonetheless I suspect yourCOre mostly of the
right background, and age group...

IrCOm connected with a historical collection of computing artefacts which stretch back to the pre-1960s rCo https://nuhc.ncl.ac.uk/

We have an item which had defied efforts to identify it, until just recently when, in a light-bulb moment, I asked uk-d-i-y if anyone knew what it is.

This is it:

https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_0.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_2.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_3.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_4.jpg

The long and short of the interesting discussion that followed is that it is a
rCLpatchboardrCY, probably from the 60s (or earlier). WerCOd now like to identify
more closely the machine with which it might have been used.

A decisive extract from the discussion is this (from IndyJessJohn):

The first computer room I worked in had ancillary equipment for dealing with >> punched cards [including] an IBM Collator. rCa The whole thing was controlled by
patch boards. By connecting one hole to another by a jump lead and using a >> collections of such connections it was possible to programme the machine to >> subdivide and/or merge depending on the outcome to be achieved. The key
similarity was that the control boards had a handle like the one in the
picture and that allowed the control board ***to be lowered into a slot and >> then a lever moved the slot and board into contact with fixed connectors*** in
the machine.
The set-up I worked with had a small library of boards for commonly used jobs,
plus a small stock of blank boards and a collection of jump leads of varying >> lengths so that bespoke jobs could be created and broken down to its
components afterwards. My job at the time included making up any bespoke
boards needed.
The unit pictured is a lot smaller than the ones I wired up rCa.

At Newcastle's Computing Laboratory (founded 1957) we first had a Ferranti Pegasus, then an English Electric KDF9, then in 1967 we were granted an IBM S/360 Model 67 see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/360_Model_67

And so there are two candidates. Pegasus and KDF9, for where this object might
have been used. OR: our Founder (who started the Collection c.1970) may simply
have been given this object as a present by someone who knew he collected, as it were, space junk.

Any thoughts to add to what we now know, please? (Apologies for the long post.)

Best wishes all,
Another John

PS If you want to see the whole discussion itrCOs in uk.d-i-y, the thread entitled rCLMystery Object - ancient electronics?".

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

On 5 Oct 2025 at 05:17:41 BST, "Peter Flass" <Peter@Iron-Spring.com> wrote:

Just a couple of observations:

Thanks a lot Peter ...

1. It's a 14x24 matrix
2. It's obviously intended to be inserted somewhere and pulled more than once 3. Maybe the pattern of connections might provide a clue?
4. Are those just connectors with no other electrical properties?

Yes - there's no electrical connection to the board itself.

5. Is that a Bakelite board or similar, that might give a clue about age?

Yes, I'm guessing the board is Bakelite (I'm no expert, but, yes, I am old enough to remember Bakelite).
A friend noticed that in fact the board (i.e. the bit with holes in it) is surrounded by a wooden frame c.1/4" squre profile - he thought teak or
somesuch (you can see this best in picture 2 (reminder below).
It's clear that the internals have been handcrafted, and the connections are permanent (i.e. it's not a plugboard), since each pair seems (to me) to be a piece of solder wire that's been melted at each end).

6. Some sort of "programming" for a device?
7. Telco patch panel of some sort?

Well, as I've said I can't think of anyone in my locality, who would still be alive, who would actually remember the equipment that we had in the Computing Laboratory during the 60s -- there's one or two who used the KDF9 (1963-1974), but not the Pegasus (1957-63).

The 4 photos are at; https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_0.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_2.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_3.jpg https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/File:Mystery_Object_4.jpg

I've just had another brain-wave - more of a ripple actually rCo which I'll describe in another post later this evening.

Thanks for all the speculations folks!

John
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

Another John <lalaw44@hotmail.com> writes:

On 5 Oct 2025 at 05:17:41 BST, "Peter Flass" <Peter@Iron-Spring.com> wrote:

Just a couple of observations:

Thanks a lot Peter ...

1. It's a 14x24 matrix
2. It's obviously intended to be inserted somewhere and pulled more than once
3. Maybe the pattern of connections might provide a clue?
4. Are those just connectors with no other electrical properties?

Yes - there's no electrical connection to the board itself.

5. Is that a Bakelite board or similar, that might give a clue about age?

Yes, I'm guessing the board is Bakelite (I'm no expert, but, yes, I am old >enough to remember Bakelite).
A friend noticed that in fact the board (i.e. the bit with holes in it) is >surrounded by a wooden frame c.1/4" squre profile - he thought teak or >somesuch (you can see this best in picture 2 (reminder below).
It's clear that the internals have been handcrafted, and the connections are >permanent (i.e. it's not a plugboard), since each pair seems (to me) to be a >piece of solder wire that's been melted at each end).

This appears to be a pre-programmed plug that plugs into
a matching plug-board[*]. Perhaps a crypto
key, but also could be a sort pattern for a card sorter.

Should look at some of the unit record hardware from the
era to see if they had a similarly sized plugboard?

[*] Rather than wiring with individual jumper wires; the user
could simply plug in this entire board.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2