Directed by Ted Steeg, edited by Michael Glyn, and narrated by Karl Weber, “Precision: The Story of IBM Magnetic Tape” (1970s) describes the meticulous process of producing IBM magnetic tape, emphasizing the use of modern technology and strict cleanliness standards. Each step is carefully monitored to ensure precision. The facility in Boulder, Colorado, integrates research, engineering, and manufacturing to produce defect-free tape. The tape undergoes rigorous testing to meet high standards of accuracy and performance. The final product is a precision data storage instrument, used in business data processing and scientific research.

00:00 Introduction to the meticulous process involved in the production of magnetic tape.

0:25 – 0:37: Emphasis on the use of modern devices and procedures to ensure absolute cleanliness.

0:37 – 0:47: Every step in the process is methodically checked and monitored for precise control.

0:47 – 1:00: Science and technology are combined in a modern facility to produce IBM data processing magnetic tape.

1:00 – 1:24: Music plays, showcasing the sights and sounds of 20th-century records keeping.

1:24 – 1:38: Modern data processing systems can process information at incredible speeds, measured in billionths of a second.

1:38 : Magnetic tape must match the computer’s spectacular speeds with unfailing accuracy.

1:53: Music plays, highlighting the language of magnetic tape and the precise positioning of bits.

2:08: Explanation of how bits form numbers, letters, and symbols, recognizable by the computer as data.

2:27: The demand for accuracy becomes more critical with new demands on tape performance.

2:50 : Introduction to the IBM facility in Boulder, Colorado, which houses research, engineering, and manufacturing operations for tape drives and magnetic tape.

3:01: The process of ensuring defect-free magnetic tape begins with testing the materials.

3:27: The iron oxide binder solution is prepared and pumped to the coating room.

3:46 – 4:03: Rolls of polyester film are moved into the coating room through a specially constructed entrance to prevent contamination.

4:03 : The web is wound under controlled tension to prevent wrinkles or distortion.

4:19: Coating and film are combined to form magnetic tape.

4:32: The coating room must be totally clean to prevent defects that could cause signal dropouts.

4:52: The coated tape is moved to the curing room.

5:02: Automatic controls pinpoint the exact location of every roll during the curing period.

5:21: The physical and chemical structure of the coating changes during curing to form a durable recording surface.

5:51: The tape is ready to be slit and wound onto reels.

6:00: Tolerances are held within a tight range to ensure precision.

6:24: Music plays, emphasizing the precision of the manufacturing process.

The tape undergoes 23 critical tests to ensure quality.

6:53 : Lots that pass the tests are accepted for further testing.

Each reel of tape is examined on special testing equipment.

7:16 : Information patterns are recorded and read back to verify accuracy.

Defects or contaminants can prevent the recognition of tape signals.

7:52: Signal dropout occurs when a flaw separates the tape from the magnetic head.

8:08: Engineers work on improving methods of information exchange.

8:28 : Music plays, highlighting the development of new concepts in magnetic recording.

8:32: Advances in tape transport and container design are tested.

8:47: Tape is subjected to environmental tests to ensure performance.

9:00: Research and development have established new industry standards for magnetic tape.

9:20: The tape is a precision data storage instrument.

9:32: Each reel is placed in a container and sealed for shipment.9:57: Music plays, indicating the beginning of the tape’s use in data processing.

10:14: Tape reels contain diverse information.

10:30: Data processing managers can merge data from several reels without error.

10:49: Magnetic tape is used in various applications, from cattle breeding to fashion.11:02: Computers explore for oil, classify cancer experiments, and control lunar landings.

11:21: IBM magnetic tape matches the computer’s higher speeds with accuracy.11:41: IBM tape ensures machine and tape compatibility.

If you have endangered films you’d like to have scanned, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below.

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com