I wrote: As I said, a whole new type of fast memory chips were developed for the > LARC computer. Two LARC computers were constructed. The chips were obsolete > and never used for anything else. >
Anachronism alert! They were not chips. They were discrete components: transistors and ferrite cores. 4 msec memory. They had to invent a transistor that was both fast enough and that could deliver enough current. UNIVAC developed a special core. Sperry Rand developed "special X-Y drive diodes that operate at high currents and back voltages." If they had waited a few years, they could have gotten 4 msec ferrite core memory off the shelf. But Uncle wanted the computer *now*, 'cause them Russkies were shoot'in for the moon and building 50 megaton bombs. You had to live through it to understand. Or no, it made no sense even at the time. - Jed
