Summary

Ferrite bead core memory from a LEO 3 Model, manufactured by International Computers Limited (I.C.L.). Previous Leo models used delay line memory.

Ferrite core memory is a form of Random Access Memory (RAM0 is used for read/write data storage. It was system developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by Jay Forrester in 1951

The core is made of tiny ferrite rings, threaded with wires. The cores can be magnetised in two ways to represent the binary values zero and one. Data are stored as a combination of zeros and ones. This form of memory storage began in the 1950s and was widely used up through the 1970s. Core memory, which made forms of memory such as the magnetic drum obsolete, was rendered obsolete by semiconductor memory.

Physical Description

Black metal case enclosing circuit board with two rectangular cutouts. Each cutout is spanned by two sets of parallel wires arranged so that one set is at right angles to the other set. At some locations where a pair of wires cross the wires thread through, and are linked by, a small ferrite ring. A chrome-finish handle is attched to the front of the case.

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