Computer History: RCA 501 Transistorized Computer 1959 (USAF) Electronic Data Processing, Mag Tape

120723 Like and subscribe. This is an archive, check the link in the end if you are owner. Rare Vintage Film shows the RCA Model 501 COMPUTER of 1959 at U.S. Air Force Air Reserve Records Center. Excellent Color. ~ PLEASE HELP US Preserve Computer History with a small contribution to our channel. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LCNS584PPN28E Your contribution greatly helps us continue to bring you educational, historical, vintage computing topics. Thank you! ~ Computer History Archives Project,

The ARRC or Air Reserve Records Center, was located at 3800 York Street, Denver, Colorado. The RCA 501 Computer was a general purpose, mid to large scale computer, used for maintenance of personnel data on USAF reservists, statistical reports, controlling military reserve staff requirements and allocation of skills in the event of mobilization, preparation and control of questionnaires sent to individual reservists and preparation of mailing labels for periodicals, preparation of rosters for personnel assignment control, and determination of those eligible for discharge and preparation of applicable discharge certificates.

This unique vintage film from the 1959 to early 1960's, shows rare footage of the staff using the 501 as the narrator describes its functions and advantages. Full color, runs about 18 mins.

{RCA was the "Radio Corporation of America," an American company in existence from 1919 to 1986. At one time, it was the largest radio communications firm in the United States. RCA also produced the BIZMAC large scale vacuum tube computer, the RCA 301 and RCA 601 computers, and the later "Spectra" line. RCA sold its large computer division to Sperry Rand in 1971, due to competition from IBM.}

The 501 was designed by industrial designer John Vassos, who employed a modular design strategy, framing the computer and its components as a system and not as individual units. This design became highly successful. The 501 used high-speed magnetic-core memory, expandable from 16k to 260k characters. An optional drum memory unit could provide up to 1.5 million characters of storage. Up to 63 magnetic tape units could be installed.

RCA 501 COMPUTER INSTALLATIONS included the following by 1961:

U. S. Naval Propellant Plant, Indian Head, Maryland
Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
Air Reserve Records Center, York Street Denver, Colorado
Ordnance Weapons Command Rock Island, Illinois
Ordnance Ammunition Command Joliet, Illinois
Atlantic City Electric Company, New Jersey, EDPD
New York Electronics System Center, Wall Street New York
Fidelity-Philadelphia Trust Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
General Tire and Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio
Raytheon Company Missile Systems Division, Andover, Mass.
RCA Astro Electronics Division, Princeton, New Jersey
RCA Electronic Data Processing Division, Camden, New Jersey
RCA Electronic Systems Ctr, Cherry Hill Plant, Merchantville, N J
RCA Service Company, Camden 8, New Jersey
RCA Service Co. Electronic Data Proc. Sales Dept, Camden, NJ
State Farm Life Insurance Company, Bloomington, Illinois
Bureau of Naval Weapons, Constitution Ave, N W., Wash D. C.
Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, N. Y.
Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey
---- Source: BRL Report 1961 (courtesy of Ed Thelen)
https://www.ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/BRL61.html
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