floating-point arithmetic computer chip
Date1982
Inventory Number2001-1-0025
ClassificationComputer chip
Subject
Maker
International Business Machines Corporation
1911-present
User
Owen Gingerich
born 1930
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions1 x 1.6 x 3.2 cm (3/8 x 5/8 x 1 1/4 in.)
case: 8 × 3.2 × 1.6 cm (3 1/8 × 1 1/4 × 5/8 in.)
case: 8 × 3.2 × 1.6 cm (3 1/8 × 1 1/4 × 5/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe chip is mounted in a black, ceramic dual in-line package (DIP). It has a row of twelve metal pins along each long edge. The pins serve to connect the chip to a circuit board. They point vertically downward from the body of the chip. There are two slightly depressed circles on the top panel of the main body of the chip, one at each end. There is a thumb depression for handling at one end of the chip.
Signedin grey letters on top panel of chip: MK 36C22N-4 / 1501476 / Z A / © IBM 1982 / D MALAYSIA / 8310
in grey letters on bottom panel of chip: 36C22 / MALAYSIA.
FunctionThis Intel microchip is designed to enable floating-point arithmetic for an early model IBM personal computer, c. 1985 - 1990. For a similar chip, see 1998-1-0880. This particular chip was unused and cost approximately $100.00.
A discussion of floating-point arithmetic and its relevance to computation, click here.
A discussion of floating-point arithmetic and its relevance to computation, click here.
ProvenanceFrom Prof. Owen Gingerich, Harvard University.
Historical AttributesPurchased by Owen Gingerich for use in his early IBM PC. Never used.
International Business Machines Corporation
Date: 1981-1985
Accessories: clear plastic case; hand-written letter from Owen Gingerich to William Andrewes about donating chip to Collection, received May 21, 1998 (in instrument file); printed email from William Andrewes to Owen Gingerich, thanking him for the chip donation, dated June 1, 1998 (in instrument file)
Object number: 1998-1-0880
Intel Corporation
Date: circa 1985
Object number: 1998-1-0575
Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: 1960-1970
Accessories: circuit board, "flip chip" cards (10)
Object number: 1998-1-0230
Texas Instruments Incorporated
Date: circa 1985
Object number: 1998-1-0576
Motorola Inc.
Date: circa 1988
Accessories: original cardboard card packaging
Object number: 1998-1-0574
International Business Machines Corporation
Date: circa 1982
Object number: 1998-1-0229
Apple Computer Inc.
Date: circa 1998
Accessories: performance review article (in instrument file)
Object number: 2000-1-0003
Intel Corporation
Date: circa 1981
Accessories: protective black foam pad
Object number: 1998-1-0572
Sperry Rand Corporation (UNIVAC Federal Systems Division)
Date: circa 1960
Object number: 1997-1-1141
Conner Peripherals
Date: 1994
Accessories: black plastic case
Object number: 1998-1-0788