BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987

BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987 BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
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BESM-6 Supercomputer, possibly manufactured by Moscow Calculating Analytical Plant Machines, Russia, 1968-1987

The BESM supercomputers were one of the last major Russian computer hardware developments, before they adopted computer architectures from the West. It was also the last machine to be competitively equivalent to a Western computer, the CDC 6600. Translated, the acronym means 'large electronic computing machine'. With its massive console and flashing lights, it was the image of a cold-war computer. More than 350 BESM-6 computers were built. This was one of the last BESM-6 computers to be decommissioned, before being acquired by the Science Museum

Details

Category:
Computing & Data Processing
Object Number:
2014-10
Materials:
metal (unknown), glass, plastic (unidentified) and copper (metal)
type:
mainframe
credit:
Purchased from Real Time Associates

Parts

BESM-6 supercomputer, 1968-1987

BESM-6 Supercomputer: Registers Cabinet type BRUS with two glass doors, control panel and desk; Control Unit type UU with two glass doors, control panel and desk; Arithmetic Unit type AU with two glass doors, control panel and desk; Peripheral Control Cabinet, type UVU with two glass doors, control panel and desk; possibly manufactured by Moscow Calculating Analytical Plant Machines, Russia, 1968-1987

Materials:
metal (unknown) , glass , plastic (unidentified) and copper (metal)
Object Number:
2014-10/1
type:
mainframe
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
paperwork taken from BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987

paperwork taken from BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987

Paper documents taken from the Control Unit type UU (2014-10/1/2) of the BESM-6 Supercomputer.

Object Number:
2014-10/1/5
type:
instructional material
Part of:
2014-10/1

paperwork taken from BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1968-1987

Paper documents taken from the Registers Cabinet type BRUS (2014-10/1/1) of the BESM-6 Supercomputer.

Object Number:
2014-10/1/6
type:
instructional material
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
2014-10/1
shipping labels taken from BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1993

shipping labels taken from BESM-6 Supercomputer, 1993

Shipping labels taken from Registers Cabinet type BRUS with two glass doors, control panel and desk; Control Unit type UU with two glass doors, control panel and desk (BESM Supercomputer, 2014-10/1/1 and 2014-10/1/2)

Object Number:
2014-10/1/7
type:
instructional material
Part of:
2014-10/1

BESM-6 Supercomputer Cabinet, 1968-1987

BESM-6 Supercomputer, 3UN-2 Cabinet with Power Supply Spares with two posters on the side, possibly manufactured by Moscow Calculating Analytical Plant Machines, Russia, 1968-1987

Measurements:
overall: 1880 mm x 1110 mm x 620 mm, 559 kg
Materials:
glass , copper (metal) , metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
Object Number:
2014-10/25
type:
mainframe
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Assorted Cables.

Assorted Cables.

Eighteen different types of assorted cables

Object Number:
2014-10/36
type:
cable
3 loose reels of magnetic tape on metal holders

3 loose reels of magnetic tape on metal holders

3 loose reels of magnetic tape on metal holders

Measurements:
overall: 25 mm 230 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/37
type:
magnetic tape
Two teleprinters including 3 rolls of paper

Two teleprinters including 3 rolls of paper

Two teleprinters including 3 rolls of paper

Measurements:
overall: 240 mm x 405 mm x 650 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/38
type:
teleprinter
Two Oscilliscopes and One Additional Tube.

Two Oscilliscopes and One Additional Tube.

Two Oscilliscopes and one additional tube

Object Number:
2014-10/39
type:
oscilliscope
Power terminal panel

Power terminal panel

Power terminal panel

Measurements:
overall: 140 mm x 350 mm x 50 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/40
type:
panel
Fuse panel

Fuse panel

Fuse panel

Measurements:
overall: 125 mm x 380 mm x 40 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/41
type:
panel
Electrical conductor assembly unit

Electrical conductor assembly unit

Electrical conductor assembly unit

Measurements:
overall: 110 mm x 120 mm x 170 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/42
type:
conductor assembly unit
Tape transport

Tape transport

Tape transport, No.147-175

Measurements:
overall: 300 mm x 660 mm x 390 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/43
type:
tape transport
Power distribution fuse panel

Power distribution fuse panel

Power distribution fuse panel

Measurements:
overall: 475 mm x 300 mm x 115 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/44
type:
panel
Metal case housing electrical modules including instructions

Metal case housing electrical modules including instructions

Metal case housing electrical modules including instructions

Measurements:
overall: 535 mm x 150 mm x 240 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/45
type:
case
Two plug in modules

Two plug in modules

Two plug in modules

Object Number:
2014-10/46
type:
plug
Panel with voltmeter

Panel with voltmeter

Panel with voltmeter

Measurements:
overall: 245 mm x 310 mm x 160 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/47
type:
voltmeter
Test Unit on a Trolley.

Test Unit on a Trolley.

Test unit on a trolley.

Measurements:
overall: 790 mm x 492 mm x 692 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/48
type:
trolley
Shelf Assembly Unit Housing Printed Circuit Board Assemblies.

Shelf Assembly Unit Housing Printed Circuit Board Assemblies.

Shelf assembly unit housing printed circuit board assemblies.

Measurements:
overall: 570 mm x 513 mm x 217 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/49
type:
circuit board
Two Power Supply Units Plus Five Documents.

Two Power Supply Units Plus Five Documents.

Two power supply units plus five documents

Object Number:
2014-10/50
type:
power supply
Four Rack Mounting Units.

Four Rack Mounting Units.

Four rack mounting units, no. TIP DP14, type BP-Mom

Object Number:
2014-10/51
type:
rack
Video Display Unit with Keyboard.

Video Display Unit with Keyboard.

Video display unit with keyboard, Type:341B Videoton computer, No: 505/050 on keyboard

Object Number:
2014-10/52
type:
monitor
Video Display Unit with Keyboard.

Video Display Unit with Keyboard.

Video display unit with keyboard, Display typ 47/20, No. 05/03

Object Number:
2014-10/53
type:
monitor
Four Fixed Head Drives.

Four Fixed Head Drives.

Four fixed head drives, type Mom

Object Number:
2014-10/54
type:
head drive
Video Display Unit with Keyboard.

Video Display Unit with Keyboard.

Video display unit with keyboard, Monitor 47/20 No. 908/129, Keyboard typ: 341 No. 012/010

Object Number:
2014-10/55
type:
monitor
Video Display Unit and Keyboard.

Video Display Unit and Keyboard.

Video display unit and keyboard, Monitor typ 47/20 No. 908/137

Object Number:
2014-10/56
type:
monitor
Oscilloscope, C199 on the Edge.

Oscilloscope, C199 on the Edge.

Oscilloscope, C199 on the edge

Measurements:
overall: 219 mm x 347 mm x 585 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/57
type:
oscilloscope
Shelf Assembly Housing Printed Circuit Board Assemblies.

Shelf Assembly Housing Printed Circuit Board Assemblies.

Shelf assembly housing printed circuit board assemblies.

Measurements:
overall: 260 mm x 720 mm x 210 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/58
type:
circuit board
Unknown Switch Panel.

Unknown Switch Panel.

Unknown switch panel.

Measurements:
overall: 150 mm x 60 mm x 220 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/59
type:
switch
Video Display Unit, Base Unit and Keyboard.

Video Display Unit, Base Unit and Keyboard.

Video display unit, base unit and keyboard.

Object Number:
2014-10/60
type:
monitor
Video Display Unit, Base Unit and Keyboard.

Video Display Unit, Base Unit and Keyboard.

Video display unit, base unit and keyboard, 1983

Object Number:
2014-10/61
type:
monitor
7 Boxes of Documentation

7 Boxes of Documentation

7 Boxes of Documentation

Object Number:
2014-10/62
type:
document
24 boxed and three unboxed magnetic tapes

24 boxed and three unboxed magnetic tapes

24 boxed and three unboxed magnetic tapes

Object Number:
2014-10/63
type:
box
Two Switches.

Two Switches.

Two Switches, one numbered '1' and the other '2'.

Object Number:
2014-10/64
type:
switch
Four Sets of Spare Buttons for BESM-6 (Small).

Four Sets of Spare Buttons for BESM-6 (Small).

Four sets of spare buttons for BESM-6 (small)

Object Number:
2014-10/65
type:
buttons
Two Sets of Spare Buttons for BESM-6 (Medium Sized).

Two Sets of Spare Buttons for BESM-6 (Medium Sized).

Two sets of spare buttons for BESM-6 (medium sized)

Object Number:
2014-10/66
type:
buttons
Three Sets of Spare Buttons for BESM-6 (Large).

Three Sets of Spare Buttons for BESM-6 (Large).

Three sets of spare buttons for BESM-6 (large)

Measurements:
overall: 22 mm x 522 mm x 134 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/67
type:
buttons
Spare Switch Panel.

Spare Switch Panel.

Spare switch panel with purple wires, a red light on the front along with one white, three cream and five black buttons.

Measurements:
overall: 90 mm x 222 mm x 120 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/68
type:
switch
Spare Switch Handle.

Spare Switch Handle.

Spare switch handle

Measurements:
overall: 196 mm x 20 mm x 100 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/69
type:
switch
Panel with Connectors.

Panel with Connectors.

Panel with connectors

Measurements:
overall: 570 mm x 200 mm x 30 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/70
type:
panel
Russian Danger Sign.

Russian Danger Sign.

Russian danger sign, plastic with red letters

Measurements:
overall: 140 mm x 350 mm x 3 mm,
Materials:
plastic (unidentified)
Object Number:
2014-10/71
type:
sign
Ten PCB Boards

Ten PCB Boards

10 purple pcb boards

Object Number:
2014-10/72
type:
board
Ten Spare PCBs Boards

Ten Spare PCBs Boards

10 spare pcbs pale green boards with various coloured components

Object Number:
2014-10/73
type:
board
Ten Spare PCBs

Ten Spare PCBs

10 spare pcbs with green components

Object Number:
2014-10/74
type:
pcbs
Two Spare PCBs with Metal Plate

Two Spare PCBs with Metal Plate

Two spare PCBs with additional metal plate attached

Object Number:
2014-10/75
type:
plate
Two Spare Orange Boards with Capacitors

Two Spare Orange Boards with Capacitors

Two spare orange boards with capacitors

Object Number:
2014-10/76
type:
board
Three Spare Components

Three Spare Components

Three spare components with pink wiring in frame

Object Number:
2014-10/77
type:
component
Spare Board

Spare Board

Spare board silver and yellow

Object Number:
2014-10/78
type:
board
Unit for the BESM-6

Unit for the BESM-6

Unknown unit of the BESM-6

Object Number:
2014-10/79
type:
unit
Seven Spanners with Russian Inscriptions

Seven Spanners with Russian Inscriptions

Seven Spanners with Russian Inscriptions

Measurements:
overall: 30 mm x 180 mm x 45 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2014-10/80
type:
spanner
BESM-6 Grey tool box containing

BESM-6 Grey tool box containing

BESM-6 Grey tool box containing, three transformers; a square box of spare bulbs; a rectangular box containing 24 spare bulbs; a diode box containing four black washers; a box containing around 30 glass metal cylindrical lights; 80 black circular electrical components; 100 black diodes in a box; 100 cylindrical lights with connectors in a box; four diodes with pink connectors in a cardboard box; power rack in a cardboard box; two spare metal tape disk rollers; and three metal handles.

Measurements:
overall: 235 mm x 480 mm x 235 mm,
Object Number:
2014-10/81
type:
toolbox
Seven Panels for the BESM

Seven Panels for the BESM

Seven panels of the BESM; a) two rectangular, b) three long thin and c) two triangular

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2014-10/82
type:
panel
Silicon wafer

Silicon wafer

Cardboard sleeve containing circular silver silicon wafer. Wafer is protected by bubble wrap and cardboard container.

Card sleeve labelled 'Accodata 5 1/4" diskette mailer. Code No.50475. Made in Gt. Britain'. Handwritten note on sleeve reads 'Silicon wafer'

Measurements:
overall: 154 mm x 165 mm x 12 mm,
Materials:
silicon and cardboard
Object Number:
2014-10/84
type:
silicon wafer
Component of electric circuit

Component of electric circuit

Beige plastic box containing three circuit components associated with BESM computer.

Measurements:
overall: 17 mm x 55 mm x 43 mm,
Materials:
glass , metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
Object Number:
2014-10/85
type:
component
Component of electric circuit

Component of electric circuit

Plastic box containing circuit component associated with BESM computer.

Measurements:
overall: 20 mm x 55 mm x 50 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
Object Number:
2014-10/86
type:
component