Burroughs played important role in U.S. space program Continued from page 1 While Burroughs efforts were again systems, and could function as either directed toward production of commercial terminals or independent computers. The business machines in the post-war Series L was designed primarily as a self period, World War II had marked the sufficient billing computer, but featured a beginning of a major turning point for data communications option which Burroughs. The war had accelerated the enabled it to operate on-line as a terminal development of electronic technology, computers. including the potential for development of As developments in microcircuitry were electronic technology computer. applied to Series TC and Series L . Beginning in the late 1940s and early systems in the 1960s and 1970s, the 1950s, the Company's growth was in four systems evolved from electro-mechan principal areas: electronic development, ical machines to fully electronic computer systems, defense and space comptuers. programs, and diverse products which Burroughs Becomes a Computer supported banking and business Company applications. In parallel with Burroughs development Burroughs Emergence Into Electronics of electronic products for accounting In the mid-1940s the decision was applications, the Company expanded its made to begin a full program of electronic capability for development of larger, research, and in 1949 permanent multipurpose computer systems. The Between 1957 and 1965, Burroughs guidance computers handled more than 300 facilities for electronic research and Burroughs memory system built in 1952 successful missions from Cape Canaveral without failure, error or delay. Here, development were established near for ENIAC, the world's first electronic officials place a missile on the console, signifying yet another successful mission. Philadelphia. Three years later, an computer, increased the computer's Electronic Instrument Division was memory capacity sixfold, and demon established in that city to manufacture strated the Company's capability in and the small-scale B 500 systems computer systems-from minicomputers and market scientific instruments and electronic computation. In 1956 released in 1968. to supercomputers-and to support them electronic memory components and Burroughs acquired the ElectroData The '500' family served a broad cross with a full range of related software systems. Corporation of Pasadena, California, a section of size requirements in fields products, computer peripherals, termin The new emphasis on electronic leading producer of computing such as banking, manufacturing and als and data communications systems, products had already resulted in a series equipment, and further expanded the government. It solidified Burroughs and data management equipment. of innovative banking and accounting Company's base in electronic position in the computer industry, and Burroughs Series TC and Series L machines, called the Sensimatic, which technology. provided the base for the Company to electronic systems, which had been was produced by Burroughs in the late The acquisition of ElectroData, an further expand its computer manufac introduced in the late 1960s, were contin 1940s. In 1950 the Company introduced established company in the computer turing capabilities. ually refined for various business the first Sensimatic Accounting machine industry, provided Burroughs with much Participation in Defense and Space applications. These refinements along with programmed control panel, a product needed engineering and manufacturing Programs with continued electronic developments considered the greatest advance in capacity. The same year Burroughs Great The early programs to expand led to the introduction of the B 80 Series accounting machines in 25 years. Valley Laboratories were opened in Paoli, Burroughs electronic capabilities also of small-scale computer systems in 1976. Burroughs Sensimatic and later Pennsylvania. resulted in the Company being awarded The B 80 brought the power and memory "Sensitronic" machine-called the Series First Family of Computer Systems numerous government and defense capacity of much larger computers to the F-became the standard of bookkeeping Burroughs development of a full range of contracts. Burroughs computers were small systems range. These features machines. computer systems progressed steadily. used by the United States Navy in its were further evident in the B 90 Series In 1951, experiments began at the The Company introduced large-scale POLARIS program, and by the U.S. Air announced in 1979. Company's research and development Datatron 220 in 1957, the B 251 visible Force in the SAGE, ALRI and BUIC Burroughs also continued to place center, which were aimed at developing a record computer for banking applications continental air defense networks. In 1961 strong emphasis on the development of series of computers specifically for in 1959, the B 200 series of small- to Burroughs was named by the Air Force as larger computer systems during the business roblem solving. In 1954 medium-scale solid-sUite computersin hardware contractor for the NORAD 1970s. Following the successful '500' Burroughs introduced the E 101, a 1961, and the B 5000 solid-state modular combat operations computer comp ex - amI yo compu ers, tYle c 700' famllywas desksize electronic digital computer for data processing system also in 1961 . and data display system. The computer introduced between 1971 and the end of scientific, engineering and business The B 5000 was regarded as the most was used to make split-second 1975. The '700' family considerably applications. Later Series E systems, advanced business and scientific evaluations of threats to the North extended Burroughs coverage of the data such as the E 2000, and counterpart computer offered by any manufacturer. It American continent, using input from processing market from the base estab Series F systems, became widely departed from traditional concepts of satellites and radar throughout the world. lished with the '500' family. accepted and were Burroughs leading computer deSign, and featured such During this time, Burroughs was also an In late 1975 Burroughs began intro products for accounting applications in pioneering concepts as automatic multi active participant in the U.S. space ducing the '800' family of system with the business, industry and banking well into programming, exclusive use of compiler program. The world's first operational announcement of a series of computers the 1960s. languages, Burroughs Master Control transitorized computeT, produced by designed for medium-to-Iarge-scale Burroughs success in this product area Program, and "virtual memory." Burroughs in 1957, was used in guiding applications. The family was expanded took a further evolutionary step in the late The B 5000 was followed by the more the launch of the Atlas Inter-continental during 1976 with the announcement of a 1960s with the introduction of the Series powerful B 5500 system in 1964, as Ballistic Missiles. A later version of this full range of systems. TC terminal computers and the Series L Burroughs began its "family" approach to computer guided every launch in the In 1979 Burroughs announced the first minicomputers. The Series TC internally computer design. In addition to the B MERCURY and GEMINI programs of models of the '900' family of systems. The programmed computers were designed 5500, the '500' family included the large manned space flights. With the '900' models, which typically occupy only for use with on-line data processing scale B 6500 and medium-scale B 2500 completion of the first space rendezvous, half the space and require 50 percent and B 3500 systems introduced in 1966, made in 1965 between GEMINI VI and VII, less power to operate than the '800' Burroughs guidance computers had family models, demonstrate the Com handled more than 300 successful pany's continuing capability in providing missions without failure, error or delay. a full range of products for information That year, the Burroughs computer that management. had guided the first Atlas missile was During the 1970s, the Company also presented to the Smithsonian Institution continued its developments in other by the U.S. Air Force, and another of the areas of data processing, with products first ground guidance computers was for data preparation and document installed in the Air Force Space Museum handling; with a full range of displays, at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The last of 17 keyboards, printing terminals, and related such Burroughs guidance computers was data communications computer systems; retired by the Air Force in 1978 after with memory subsystems and high speed completion of more than 400 successful printer; and with software products for missions. applications in banking and finance, The 1970s-Burroughs Becomes an manufacturing, health care, education, Information Management Company government, transportation and many In the late 1960s, Burroughs began the other areas. first phase of a major, long-range capital Burroughs expansion in data proces expenditure program for the expansion of sing was paralleled by its entry into the its worldwide production resources. Five office automation market. The Company new facilities were opened that year; entered the facsimile communications including two in the U.S. and one each in market in 1975 by acquiring Graphic Belgium, Brazil and Mexico. More facili Sciences, Inc. which produced equip ties followed in the 1970s, as the Com ment under the "dex" trademark, and pany's production centers increased entered the word proceSSing market one from 36 in 1966 to 61 in 1976. year later by acquiring Redactron Corpor The 1970s saw the further merging of ation. The acquisition of the assets of Burroughs electronics and computer Context Corporation in 1979 added an development efforts of the previous two optical character recognition page reader decades, and the Company's emergence system to this growing range of office as a leader in the computer industry. The automation products which have become decade also marked Burroughs entry into an increasingly important segment of other areas of information management, Burroughs "total information manage In a joint effort with the University of Illinois, Burroughs developed and manufac prinCipally office automation. The Com ment" capability. tured ILLIAC 4, the extremely powerful computer at Ames Research Center in pany used its growing resouces to Mountain View, California. develop several complete new families of Continued on page 3 System Development Corporation adds strength to Burroughs
Among Burroughs latest steps to contractor for the U.S. Government while strengthen its capability to meet the continually developing and building its growing demand for information manage commercial product line and markets. ment systems which totally integrate Approximately 41 percent of SDC 's hardware, software, service and support, business now stems from the Department was the acquisition of System Develop of Defense, 38 percent from other govern ment Corporation in 1981 . ment agencies, and 21 percent from Headquartered in Santa Monica, _ private industry. California, SDC supplies computer-based SDC's business involves developing systems, products and services to busi electronic systems that help people in nesses and government agencies government, defense, science, industry throughout the world. The company has and commerce with the job of managing major facilities in 18 cities in the U.S. and information. The company's range of acti abroad, and employs 3,800 people. vities include analyzing complex infor Established in 1955 as part of the Rand mation management problems, designing Corporation,_SDC was later incorporated problem-solving software, integrating as a separate, non-profit corporation to computer hardware and software into assist in the design, development and functional systems, training people to'use implementation of a large-scale, compu these systems, managing and operating ter-based air defense system for the U.S. computer systems for customers, and An injection-molded packaging process at Rancho Bernardo provides low-cost, Air Force. The result was the SAGE providing advanced data processing, mass production of microcircuitry, while increasing the reliability of the circuit. (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) data base and data communications command and control system. services to a variety of users. SDC completed the transistion from a SDC also conducts research and Rancho Bernardo facility non-profit corporation to a for-profit cor development programs in such areas as poration in the late 1960s as it became a networks and distributed processing, total system contractor, integrating hard system security, signal processing, and develops proprietary VLSI ware and software in turnkey systems. office automation technology. Since then, it has continued as a major. The computer is generally considered the into sections and each element of the electronic invention of the current era, but circuit is checked for accurate position the microcircuitry that forms the nucleus and size. of the computer is considered by many The computerized image must then be experts to be the real marvel of electro photographically reduced to its working nics technology. dimensions. To accomplish this, "reticles" This tiny silicon chip, often referred to are prepared to define and transfer the as an integrated circuit or a microproces pattern of each of several layers of cir sor, gave the Santa Clara Valley the name cuitry onto the silicon wafer. For each it is best known by today-Silicon Valley. layer, a five-inch reticle containing a At facilities in Rancho Bernardo, perfect photographic image of the layer of California, near San Diego, Burroughs' circuitry is generated. The reticle repro Micro-Components Organization (MCO) duces the pattern on the wafer in its is hard at work developing proprietary actual working size, and a "step and Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSi) repeat" photographic process is used to semiconductors and packaged subsys fill the entire area of the wafer with copies tem modules that will be key elements in of the image. the Company's next major generation of Separate reticles are required for each computer products. VLSI generally refers step of the production process: isolating to thousands of circuit functions (i.e., the crnp,s from each o1QeLQO.1b.e..wafer; gates) on a single chip, provided by tens defining the "gates" which control the or hundreds of thousands of semi flow of electronic Signals; isolating con conductor devices (e.g., transistors) on tact points between layers of circuitry; .that chip. and overcoating the entire wafer with a Just as remarkable as the finished protective layer of silicon dioxide. product is the process through which Although each photographic image is they are manufactured. two-dimensional, the photoengraving At Rancho Bernardo, the production of process enables layers of either conduc microcircuits begins with a logic diagram tive or insulative material to be alternately which, depending upon its complexity, implanted, masked and removed, result may take from a few months to several ing in a three-dimensional product only a System Development Corporation develops information systems for business years to finalize. Utilizing computer few micrometers thick. and government agencies, such as the air space and command control assisted design (CAD.) and layout tech Although the circuits appear simple to system shown in part here. niques, the circuit's maze of thousands of the naked eye, each logic chip may transistors and diodes is drawn 500 times contain tens of thousands of elements larger than its eventual one-quarter imbedded in its surface. These memory Burroughs history square-inch size. chips may now effectively store 64,000 This massive diagram is then divided bits of information. Continued from page 2 In June of 1981, Burroughs carried office automation a step further with the SDC plays part introduction of the OFIStm 1 Information System. OFIStm 1 brings the benefits of in space shuttle office automation to managers and professionals as well as the clerical staff. The success of America's first space A key element in OFIStm 1 is Burroughs' shuttle mission earlier this year had new OFISfile, a unique device that special significance for a number of houses the equivalent of up to 80,000 employees at System Development typewritten pages and can locate any Corporation (SDC), a Burroughs specific letter, report, document, or group subsidiary. These employees were of related documents in seconds involved in the developmental stages following simple English-language of the shuttle program. In fact, nine commands. OFIStm 1 also allows the received special recognition from the manager to communicate and share this National Aeronautics and Space Ad information with others electronically. ministration (NASA) for their contribution In 1981, Burroughs strengthened its to the program. capability in meeting the growing demand The developmental work was per for information management systems formed at NASA's Slidell Computer Com which totally integrate hardware, soft plex in Louisiana, which SDC manages, ware, service and support with the acqui and at SDC's Hampton/Langley site in sition of System Development Corpora Virginia. tion (SDC) of Santa Monica, California. At Slidell, the work involved processing SDC is a leading information systems data on the engineering design and company serving businesses and fabrication of the shuttle's external fuel government agencies throughout the tank. Prior to the launch, SDC also world. processed data obtained from single and Today, with the merger of Burroughs multiple shuttle engine tests for use by and Memorex, Burroughs Corporation is various NASA contractors. the second-largest information proces The work at the Hampton/Langley site §ing company in the world. With more was in support of tests on the heat shield than 67,000 employees worldwide, ing tiles that were essential to the Burroughs is a far cry from the American shuttle's safe return from space. The Burroughs has begun building a worldwide network of computer-based resource Arithometer Company of nearly 100 years work involved transcription and analysis control centers to speed response to customer service calls. Through telephone ago. of data during the tile cycle fatigue tests. "hot lines," Burroughs field engineers can diagnose a system on-line. "Office of Tomorrow" around the comer with OFIS 1 Burroughs Corporation took a giant step start with a few basic components and toward the "Office of Tomorrow" -also add to them later. The system's compati known as the paperless or automated bility with many other makers of office office-in June when it introduced its equipment protects users from unneces OFIStm 1 Information System. sary "start over" costs. As developed by Burroughs' Office What all this means to the user, espe Systems Group in Danbury, Connecticut, cially one at the managerial level, is that the system supports increased office he or she will have more time to concen productivity through its advanced trate on strategiC and intellectual work as electronic filing and communications the routine information distributing and abilities and the latest methods of processing time is cut down to micro creating, displaying and processing seconds. It will also provide the manager office information. with more pertinent and timely informa Designed for managers and profes tion to assist decision-making. sionals as well as clerical personnel, "Ironically, while television soap operas OFIS 1 consists of the following prinCipal are transmitted by satellite, vital business components: information too often travels at the speed • OFISfile-a unique storage device that of the mail cart," says Roger W. Johnson, houses the equivalent of up to 80,000 OSG president. "And then, it can't be typewritten pages and can locate any located if your secretary is out to lunch. In specific letter, report, document or contrast, automated systems, like OFIS 1 group of related documents in system, make information available for seconds by following simple English the asking." language commands; • OFISdirector-an information pro cessor that lets system components communicate with each other, handles Product lines electronic mail and provides executives with personal productivity span spectrum tools for scheduling meetings and writing memos; Burroughs serves the information proces ...... • OFISwriter-a word processor for Sing needs of users in many lines of Burroughs OFIStm 1 Office Information System can help any size office or preparing, editing and communicating business. The Company's products cap department operate more efficiently. A key element in the system is the unique text; ability spans a wide spectrum of require OFIStile on-line electronic filelretrieval system shown in the middle of this office • OFISreader-an optical character ments for the recording, computation, configuration. recognition page reader which scans processing, editing and communicaation typewritten pages and transfers them of data and words. Memorex will operate as to the OFISwriter, where they can be Burroughs products can be classified revised, or to the OFISfile, where they in the following groupings: computer can be accessed; systems, including the 'B 900' Series and free-standing subsidiary • OFISterminal-an inquiry and display its largest computer, the '87800' Series; station used with OFISfile; and terminals and communications equip Continued from page 1 • OFISworkstation-a keyboard and ment, including the BMTtm Series of . Office Systems Group , printed circuit boards, keyboards, fabri display unit used with the display-based terminals, printer-based Formed in 1981, the Office Systems cated parts, cables and other intercon OFISdirector. terminals, and programmable, display Group develops, manufactures and mar nection devices; and power supplies for OFIS 1 is a totally modular system. A based terminals, and a series of custo kets office automation products including use in Burroughs sy&tems and user can install a complete system, or mer-activated teller machines (ATM's) ; graphics communication equipment and equipment. Its operations are conducted computer peripherals, including disk word processing systems. Headquar at seven locations in four countries. drives, magnetic tape subsystems and tered in Danbury, Connecticut, the Documentation Information Systems printers; data preparation and document group's marketing ~perations are con Group B 3955 added to management systems, including high ducted through some 150 offices world Also new in 1981, the Document speed reader-sorters and document wide, including distributors and agents. Information Systems Group is responsi computer family reading, encoding, sorting and listing Products are manufactured at three ble for all the engineering and manufac systems; software products; office plants in the U.S. turing of Burroughs document handling, In October, Burroughs debuted the automation products, including the Federal and Special Systems Group data preparation products and reader Company's newest computer system OFIStm 1 office information system; busi The Federal and Special Systems sorters. Headquartered in Detroit, the the medium-scale B 3955-at the CUBE ness forms and office supplies; and Group, headquartered in Paoli, Pennsyl Group engineers and manufactures (Cooperating Users of Burroughs special purpose products and vania, markets systems and equipment product at two plants in Scotland and Equipment) conference in New Orleans. components. and provides support services to the U.S. three in the United States. The B 3955 is the most recent addition These products are complemented by Government. It also engineers and In addition to the above groups, to Burroughs' '900' Series of computers a full range of services including: man manufactures special purpose systems additional operations include Corporate and has already successfully completed agement system design; system planning and equipment and markets these units with specialized responsiblities. a six-week customer acceptance test at and analysis; programming; documenta products in the U.S. and overseas. It The OEM Division engineers and the Tallahassee (Florida) Memorial tion; customer training; and field operates four engineering and manufac manufactures electronic readout devices Regional Medical Center. engineering. turing centers in Pennsylvania. and data display subsystems and mar According to Dr. Paul Stern, executive Computer Systems Group kets these and other selected Burroughs vice president of engineering and The Computer Systems Group products to original equipment manufac manufacturing and keynote speaker at engineers and manufactures Burroughs tures (OEMs) . the conference, "CUBE members were computers systems, from the very large B Formed in 1981, the Communications most impressed with the packaging. We 7800 System to the very small B 90 Network Organization is dedicated to the took advantage of new packaging Series of small general purpose compu development for a variety of communica technology to reduce the system's size. ters. Headquartered in Detroit, the tions and networking systems, including The processor and memory cabinetry Computer Systems Group conducts distributive·data proceSSing systems, occupies only nine square feet-a 47 operations at 10 facilities, located in the interfaces with public and private percent reduction over the B 3955's U.S ., Belgium and Scotland. networks, and local network distribution predecessors." Peripheral Products Group systems. The new system represents the next The Peripheral Products Group The Program Products Division step up in data proceSSing power from engineers and manufactures peripheral develops line-of-business application the B 3800 in Burroughs' earlier '800' equipment, including information storage software for all standard products. Series of computers. With its expanded devices and line printers. It also develops The Micro Components Organization memory and improved processor perfor related operating software. Headquar develops proprietary Very Large Scale mance, the B 3955 provides up to two tered in Detroit, the Peripheral Products Integrated (VSLI) microcircuitry and times the throughput of the B 3800, and is Group conducts operations at six centers packaged subsystem modules that will be compatible with that and other systems in located in five countries. Largest of these key elements in the next generation of Burroughs medium-systems category. centers is located in Westlake Village, Burroughs computer products. Besides needing less floor space than California. System Development Corporation earlier medium-scale models, the B 3955 Terminal Products Group (SDC), which Burroughs acquired in requires 25 percent less power and air The Terminal Products Group is 1980, is a wholly owned subsidiary of conditioning. Burroughs engineering and manufac Burroughs. A leading information systems The B 3955 strengthens Burroughs' turing arm for its line of terminal systems company supplying computer-based position in the medium-system market, and products. It also develops related systems, products and services to while providing new marketing opportuni operating software. Headquartered in businesses and government agencies, ties. The system will offer price!perfor Detroit, the Terminal Products Group SDC is headquartered in Santa Monica, mance advantages to users of compet conducts operations at five centers loca California, and has major facilities in 18 itive equipment, particularly in the finan Since its inception, Burroughs has served ted in four countries. Among its products cities in the U.S. and abroad. cial, manufacturing, distribution, govern the financial community with products are the automated teller machines. As a Burroughs company, Memorex ment, utilities and transportation lines of and services. Among the Burroughs pro Components Group will operate much in the same manner as business. In addition, current Burroughs ducts used by banks and other financial The Components Group engineers and SDC, reporting directly to Burroughs' medium-system customers will look to institutions today are document reader! manufactures component products Corporate headquarters. the B 3955 to deliver more performance sorters and customer-activated teller including integrated circuit assemblies; at reduced cost. machines (ATM's) such as that shown here.