[cctalk] Re: IBM 360

[Paul Koning via cctalk]

> On Apr 10, 2024, at 5:01 PM, Van Snyder via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> 
> wrote:
> 
> ...
> I think the 360/67 replaced "Halt and Catch Fire" with "Rewind and
> Break Tape."

I always wondered if that wasn't a standard property of IBM tape drives of that 
era.  The ones I remember from our 360/44 had capstans that turned 
continuously, one to each side of the head.  The tape was shoved against the 
capstan to start tape motion, and against a rubber brake block to stop it.  
That was wild enough, but the other crazy aspect is that the vacuum columns 
were arranged so the oxide was facing outward, i.e., rubbing against the side 
walls of the vacuum column.

I never did wear out a tape, but then again, I never used a tape more than a 
half dozen times on that system.

        paul