On this day in 1980, a piece of tech history quietly came to an end as the last IBM 7030 “Stretch” mainframe was shut down at Brigham Young University.
This computer wasn’t just any machine; it was IBM’s first supercomputer to use transistors instead of vacuum tubes. It was also the first computer designed with the help of another computer, and it held the title of the world’s fastest computer in the 1960s.
The Stretch played a crucial role in scientific research and set the stage for future innovations, despite falling short of its ambitious performance goals. It was even labeled one of IT’s biggest project management failures, but its design and technology paved the way for the highly successful IBM System/360, which revolutionized computing in the years that followed.
The story teaches us a valuable business lesson: Even when a project doesn’t meet all expectations, the knowledge and advancements gained can lead to greater successes down the road.
In business, not every venture will be a home run, but the experience and insights you gain can drive future innovation and growth.
Do you have your own Stretch story in your business?
Last IBM “Stretch” Computer Shut Down – This Day in Tech History
Image created using By Rama, CC BY-SA 3.0 fr, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70342818