This transcription discusses a piece of magnetic core memory from a Soviet-era mainframe computer, comparing it to modern computer RAM. It highlights the fundamental characteristics of magnetic core memory, including its capacity, construction methods, and operational principles. The memory piece can store 4096 bits of data and was a significant evolution in non-volatile memory technology. Historically, manufacturing this memory was labor-intensive, costing about one dollar per bit, and involving manual weaving. The structure of magnetic core memory is described: each bit is stored in toroidal shapes made of iron and manipulated through a complex wiring system. The transcription explains the function of the wiring lines (x and y select, sense, and inhibit lines) essential for data storage and retrieval, wherein the direction of magnetization of the toroids indicates stored data.

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This is a piece of magnetic core memory. It's from an old mainframe computer from Soviet Russia. You can think of it like a stick of computer RAM.  The only difference is that this chunk of memory only stores 4096 bits of data.

Magnetic core memory was one of the earliest forms of non-volatile computer memory. In the early days, it could cost as much as one dollar per bit and it had to be manually woven by hand.

Each bit of data is stored inside these round doughnut-shaped pieces of iron. This shape is called a toroid. The four wires that go through each toroid are the x and y select lines, the sense line, and the inhibit line.

Data can be stored and represented in an individual toroid by changing the direction of its magnetization. By passing electrical current through very specific wires, individual toroids will have their magnetization changed.  Reading back the data from one of the toroids is done by sensing the direction of its magnetization.


Magnetic Core Memory From Soviet Russia

It's from an old mainframe computer from Soviet Russia.

You can think of it like a stick of computer RAM.

The only difference is that this chunk of memory only stores 4096 bits of data.

Magnetic core memory was one of the earliest forms of non-volatile computer memory.

In the early days, it could cost as much as one dollar per bit and it had to be manually woven by hand.

Each bit of data is stored inside these round doughnut shaped pieces of iron.

The four wires that go through each toroid are the x and y select lines, the sense line, and the inhibit line.

Data can be stored and represented in an individual toroid by changing the direction of its magnetization.

 By passing electrical current through very specific wires, individual toroids will have their magnetization changed.

Reading back the data from one of the toroids is  
done by sensing the direction of its magnetization.

This is a piece of magnetic core memory.
It's from an old mainframe computer from Soviet Russia.
You can think of it like a stick of computer RAM.
The only difference is that this chunk of memory only stores 4096 bits of data.
Magnetic core memory was one of the earliest forms of non-volatile computer memory.
In the early days, it could cost as much as one dollar per bit and it had to be manually woven by hand.
Each bit of data is stored inside these round doughnut shaped pieces of iron.
This shape is called a toroid.
The four wires that go through each toroid are the x and y select lines, the sense line, and the inhibit line.
Data can be stored and represented in an individual toroid by changing the direction of its magnetization.
 By passing electrical current through very specific wires, individual toroids will have their magnetization changed.
Reading back the data from one of the toroids is  
done by sensing the direction of its magnetization.

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Magnetic Core Memory From Soviet Russia

Transcription