An abstract macro photograph of a Ferrite Memory Core plane from an early IBM mainframe computer. This grid is made up of fine wire threaded through tiny magnetic ferrite rings (cores). Magnetic core memory, a type of random-access memory (RAM), was introduced in 1955 and succeeded in the 1970s by solid-state memory in integrated circuits.
The Museum of Modern Art has three in its permanent collection, but none on display.
rona black photography 
It’s like a very delicate tapestry!
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I have to agree with Mike. Looks like weaving a piece of cloth. Interesting.
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Or an Agnes Martin painting!
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😉
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I would have never guess that it is computer memory
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Rona- This is fantastic. The light and patterns are wonderful and would never have guessed what it is. Where did you shoot this?
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Thanks, Jane! This is a plane that I own. It was given to me as a gift years ago when I worked in the computer industry.
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I totally love it. It is a piece of art and a piece of history.
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The thing about this is I worked on a RADAR that used a ferrite core memory,It had a stupid number of connections on top, that as a new techie, I had to wire wrap into the machine when it needed changing. When did I get old? Things I worked on are now in museums, I don’t know if I can cope with this.
😉
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I remember this stuff from the 60’s at Carnegie Mellon. A series of cabinets that would fill a room are now reduced to the size of a few tiny chips.
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Imagine how big physically this is compared to the little memory flash drives and computer chips of today. Great shot Rona, B&W shows it well.
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Incredible, Rona, it looks almost like a loom with some missed stitches…
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Reblogged this on Once Upon a Paradigm and commented:
An early memory core frame from IBM main frame before solid state. Thought you all would like to see this. Look at all the weaving.
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love it…
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Love the vision that saw this as an abstract photo. Well done, Rona. 🙂
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Beautiful texture. Looks more like a strings of a woven carpet.
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