Sealectro Plugboard Store 95/0361-2/6 marked SER No. 1 – possible PDP-11 / 1975 connection
Posted by BlackegaleTR@reddit | vintagecomputing | View on Reddit | 3 comments
Hello everyone,
I’m trying to identify the exact purpose and historical context of this historical plugboard / programme plugboard.
The markings on the object are:
PLUGBOARD STORE 95/0361-2/6
SER No. 1
GILTECH ELECTRONICS LTD.
The visible SER No. 1 marking is especially interesting to me. I understand that this does not automatically prove it was the first unit ever produced, but the object itself is clearly marked SER No. 1.
The item is believed to be connected to a PDP-11 computer system, around 1975. I am trying to verify this and learn more about its exact purpose, historical context, and possible use.
I have not been able to find any confirmed comparable sales or detailed discussions for this exact model.
Does anyone recognize this Sealectro / Giltech plugboard?
Could it have been used with DEC/PDP-11 systems, CAMAC equipment, laboratory/research equipment, AERE, or nuclear-energy applications?
Has anyone seen comparable examples sold, archived, or discussed before?
I would also appreciate any opinions on a realistic collector value, especially because of the SER No. 1 marking.
Thank you very much for any information, references, or suggestions.
jombrowski@reddit
Putting a proper combination on that panel allowed Carl Malden escape the billion dollar brain.
Starryguy76@reddit
The San San Diego Reuben Fleet Space Theater opened in early 1973 with a DEC PDP-15. The star projector, planet and Moon and Earth projectors, special effects, movie coordination, and lighting were all run from a digital console with push buttons, a Delta Data 11 inch green screen, a keyboard and joystick. Below the console was the computer with 16K core memory, tape and hard disk drives, teletype unit. The console had six large boards with hundreds of DIP chips that were wire wrapped with thousands of connections. The custom program from Spitz Space Systems took at least four years to develop. In a few years the computer was replaced by several PCs in a distributed system. I was there for helping run it all from installation to many modifications from November 1972 until February 1980.
ellicottvilleny@reddit
I don't think this would have been directly used with a PDP-11. I think this would have been used with some other electromechanical era computing device, or industrial controller. Possibly in industrial or factory automation contexts.
1975 is pretty late to be ueing plugboards, especially when interactive computing and terminal based computing has long since taken off.
But this could also be useful in a modular synthesis system design in 1975.