IBM 2250 GRAPHIXS DISPLAY UNIT – MODEL 4

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The IBM 2250 Graphics Display Unit was a multi-model CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) vector graphics display originally designed to work with multiple IBM System/360 computers in 1964. It was housed in a desk with an alphanumeric (QWERTY) keyboard and a separate 32 key programmed function keyboard which had keys, indicator lights and switches. A plastic overlay label could be placed over the function keyboard. Punches on the top edge of the overlay could be sensed by the computer so the keys, lights and switches could be reprogrammed simply by changing overlays. A pen-like pointing device called a light pen was available, allowing the user to communicate with the computer by touching the screen to add, delete, or re-arrange displayed data. While Models 1, 2 and 3 were designed to work with the System/360 computers, the Model 4 was a movable unit designed to work with the IBM 1130 computer system. The model depicted here is one of the Model 4 display units.