On April 7, 1964, IBM (International Business Machines) changed the course of computing history with the introduction of the System/360, a family of mainframe computers designed for a wide range of applications.
Before the System/360, businesses and organizations had to choose between various incompatible computer systems, each tailored to specific tasks. This lack of compatibility created significant challenges for those who needed to upgrade or change their systems, as they often had to start from scratch with new hardware and software. IBM recognized this issue and decided to develop a versatile and scalable system, one that could address the needs of different users without requiring them to invest in entirely new infrastructure.
The System/360 was a game-changer in this regard. It introduced the concept of a computer “family,” a series of compatible machines that shared the same architecture and could run the same software. The family included machines with different performance levels, allowing organizations to choose a system that met their specific requirements without sacrificing compatibility. This flexibility revolutionized the computer industry and paved the way for modern computing systems.
April 7th marks a significant milestone in American history as the day when IBM introduced the System/360, a revolutionary mainframe computer family that forever changed the landscape of the computing industry. By offering a scalable, compatible, and flexible platform, IBM laid the groundwork for the modern computing era and enabled businesses and organizations to harness the power of technology in ways never before imagined.
References:
https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/ibm100/us/en/icons/system360/
