LINCtape

storage A formatted, block-oriented, high-reliability,

random access tape system used on the Laboratory InstrumentComputer. The tape was 3/4" wide.

The funny DECtape is actually a variant of the original

LINCtape. According to Wesley Clark, DEC tried to "improve"

the LINCtape system, which mechanically, was wonderfully

simple and elegant. The DEC version had pressure fingers and

tape guides to force alignment as well as huge DC servo

motors and complex control circuitry. These literally

shredded the tape to bits if not carefully adjusted, and

required frequent cleaning to remove all the shedded tape

oxide. That was amazing, because the tape had a micro-thin

plastic layer OVER the oxide to protect it. What happened was

that all the forced alignment stuff caused shredding at the

edge.

An independent company, Computer Operations[?], built LINCtape

drives for use in nuclear submarines. This was based on the

tape system's high reliability. Correspondent Brian Converse

has a picture of himself holding a LINCtape punched full of

1/4" holes. It still worked!

(1999-03-29)