IBM introduces the 3480 cartridge tape system

22nd March 1984
IBM introduces the 3480 cartridge tape system

Since the early 1950s, magnetic tape was the industry standard for inexpensive mass storage of information.

In 1984, IBM introduced a new cartridge-based tape format, the IBM 3480 cartridge tape system.

Previously, tapes were wound onto large reels, usually 10.5-inch in diameter. Each reel held 160MB of data and could be accessed at a rate of 1.25MB per second. IBM's new cartridges held more data (200MB), were faster (3MB per second), and took up less space.

Related information:

Image:

  • IBM 3480 cartridge with standard tape reel
    Credit: Copyright IBM Archives. Images remain the copyright of the original copyright holder. Used under fair use policy for educational purposes only.


 

 

 


 

IBM introduces the 3480 cartridge tape system

Click on the Images
For Detail






 

Help support the museum by buying from the museum shop

View all items

Founding Sponsors
redgate Google ARM Real VNC Microsoft Research
Heritage Lottery Funded
Heritage Lottery Fund
Accredited Museum