IBM 709 computer destined for CERN

Credit: CERN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Restrictions: Editorial use only. This image may not be used to state or imply endorsement by CERN of any product, activity or service Not to be shared on social media or embedded in a web page without permission.

Caption: IBM 709 computer being unloaded at Cointrin Airport, Geneva, Switzerland in November 1960. It is to be used in CERN. In 1954 CERN, the European particle physics laboratory was founded in Switzerland. Its work using high-energy particle accelerators has led to many key discoveries in the field of sub- atomic particles and high-energy physics. The IBM 709 was oriented specifically towards scientific work. It was introduced in 1958 and used a 36-bit instruction format, with a 3-bit prefix, 15-bit decrement, 3-bit tag and 15-bit address. Like its predecessor, the 704, it used floating-point arithmetic.

Release details: Model release not available. Property release not required.

Keywords: 05/11/1960, adult, aeroplane, airplane, baggage handler, black-and-white, caucasian, cern, cointrin airport, computer, computing, equipment, europe, geneva, historical, history, ibm 709, male, man, monochrome, particle physics, physical, physics, switzerland, technician, technological, technology, transportation, unloading

Licence fees: A licence fee will be charged for any media (low or high resolution) used in your project.