> On Feb 21, 2022, at 4:26 PM, Guy Fedorkow via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org>
> wrote:
>
> [apologies if this is a dup, but I didn't see it coming back in any of the
> cctalk digests]
>
> Greetings CC-Talk,
> I've been working on a low-budget project to help to introduce students to
> history of computing through material we have from MIT's 1950's Whirlwind
> project. The activity would have more of a hands-on feel if we could use
> actual paper tape.
> A simple reader is easy enough, but a punch is a bit harder. We don't need
> anything "authentic", or fast, or high performance, just something fairly
> reliable.
> If anyone can suggest where to find such a machine, could you let me know?
> Fanuc PPR, GNT 4601/4604, and the DSI NC-2400 have been cited as possible
> candidates, but I don't see anything that looks like a good match on ebay.
>
> Thanks!
> /guy fedorkow
Do you mean a punch as a computer peripheral, or a keyboard operated tape
punch? For the former, the ones you mentioned are obvious choices; BRPE is
another. Also the DEC paper tape reader/punch (PC01 or some such number).
For keyboard operated, there's Teletype, Flexowriter, Creed, Siemens, depending
on where you're located. ASR33 is a common 8-bit punching terminal. Older
models that use 5-level tape ("Baudot") may also be around, and those could
certainly serve for 1950s era machines that may well have actually used those.
I don't know what Whirlwind used, but I know some other 1950s machines that
used 5 bit tape for their I/O. Electrologica X1 is an example.
paul
