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Author Topic:   NASA computers found in Pittsburgh home
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-15-2017 08:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A pair of Apollo-era NASA computers and hundreds of tape reels have been found in a deceased engineer's basement in Pittsburgh, according to a NASA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report released in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
At some point in the early 1970s, an IBM engineer working for NASA at the height of the Space Race took home the computers—and the mysterious tape reels. A scrap dealer, invited to clean out the deceased's electronics-filled basement, discovered the computers. The devices were clearly labelled "NASA PROPERTY," so the dealer called NASA to report the find.

"Please tell NASA these items were not stolen," the engineer's heir told the scrap dealer, according to the report. "They belonged to IBM Allegheny Center Pittsburgh, PA 15212. During the 1968-1972 timeframe, IBM was getting rid of the items so [redacted engineer] asked if he could have them and was told he could have them."

...Most of the tapes were not labelled, but "of the tapes that were labelled, the content appeared to be space science related with missions including Pioneer and Helios and the inclusive date range was 1967-1974."

A NASA archivist at Goddard Space Flight Center assessed the magnetic tapes and found them to be in poor condition. Almost all were affected by moderate to severe mold.
The archivist's final recommendation: Destroy the tapes. "There is no evidence that suggests this material is historically significant... I recommend disposal through the immediate destruction of all magnetic tapes."

Buel
Member

Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012

posted 07-15-2017 06:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Buel   Click Here to Email Buel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Robert, what are your thoughts on the historical significance, or lack of, of the tapes?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-15-2017 07:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Without more information, I have no reason to disagree with the assessment performed by the archivist at Goddard Space Flight Center.

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