IBM 602
Encyclopedia
The IBM 602 Calculating Punch (photo), introduced in 1946, was an electromechanical calculator capable of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It was programmed using a plugboard
control panel and was IBM's first machine that did division.
The 602 was available in four models: Model 1, Model 2, Model 50, and Model 51. The "Series 50" models were low cost versions that ran at a slower speed, with half as many program steps, and fewer storage registers and counters.
Two additional counters were available as an optional feature.
Program steps execute in one machine cycle, except for steps performing multiplication or division which take as many machine cycles as needed for the operation. Punching rate is roughly four columns per machine cycle. The total number of machine cycles required per card varies depending on the data and programming.
Programming the 602 for each problem involved two things:
Plugboard
A plugboard, or control panel , is an array of jacks, or hubs, into which patch cords can be inserted to complete an electrical circuit. Control panels were used to direct the operation of some unit record equipment...
control panel and was IBM's first machine that did division.
The 602 was available in four models: Model 1, Model 2, Model 50, and Model 51. The "Series 50" models were low cost versions that ran at a slower speed, with half as many program steps, and fewer storage registers and counters.
| Model | Machine Cycles per Minute |
Program Steps |
12-Digit Storage Units |
6-Digit Counters |
4-Digit Counters |
Functions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 200 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | +, -, *, / |
| 2 | 200 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | +, -, *, / |
| 50 | 150 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +, -, *, / |
| 51 | 150 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +, -, * |
Two additional counters were available as an optional feature.
Program steps execute in one machine cycle, except for steps performing multiplication or division which take as many machine cycles as needed for the operation. Punching rate is roughly four columns per machine cycle. The total number of machine cycles required per card varies depending on the data and programming.
Programming the 602 for each problem involved two things:
- A control panel wired for the sequence of the calculation
- A Skip Bar with "inserts" placed for the first column of each field to punch