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Tape drive 47E open for tape
A model IBM 3420 tape drive unit (this one is good old workhorse 47E) with the window down and open in readiness for loading a magnetic tape onto the right-hand spindle. With the window closed, vacuum pressure would start up (green button), and the leader tape would be drawn through the read-write head assembly, down and up the guide channels on the front, and then onto the takeup spool on the left-hand side. After the calling program had completed reading or writing the tape, the unit would automatically rewind the tape, and open up the window again with a satisfying pop and sigh as the vacuum dissipated.
c1988
Tape drive 47E open for tape
A model IBM 3420 tape drive unit (this one is good old workhorse 47E) with the window down and open in readiness for loading a magnetic tape onto the right-hand spindle. With the window closed, vacuum pressure would start up (green button), and the leader tape would be drawn through the read-write head assembly, down and up the guide channels on the front, and then onto the takeup spool on the left-hand side. After the calling program had completed reading or writing the tape, the unit would automatically rewind the tape, and open up the window again with a satisfying pop and sigh as the vacuum dissipated.
c1988