from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
IBM 701
Defense Calculator
<computer> ("Defense Calculator") The first of the {IBM 700
series} of computers.
The IBM 701 was annouced internally on 1952-04-29 as "the most
advanced, most flexible high-speed computer in the world".
Known as the Defense Calculator while in development at {IBM
Poughkeepsie Laboratory}, it went public on 1953-04-07 as the
"IBM 701 Electronic Data Processing Machines" (plural because
it consisted of eleven connected units).
The 701 was the first IBM large-scale electronic computer
manufactured in quantity and their first commercial
{scientific computer}. It was the first IBM machine in which
programs were stored in an internal, addressable, electronic
memory. It was developed and produced in less than two years
from "first pencil on paper" to installation. It was key to
IBM's transition from {punched card} machines to electronic
computers.
It consisted of four {magnetic tape drives}, a {magnetic drum}
memory unit, a {cathode-ray tube storage unit}, an L-shaped
{arithmetic and control unit} with an operator's panel, a