IBM 3495 Promotional Video

IBM first brought out a tape library in 1974 (the IBM 3850 or Mass Storage System: MSS). In 1992 IBM released the 3495 Tape Library using a bright yellow robot which this video shows in great detail. This is a great look back to technology in the early 1990s.

[@jacquesbouchard8672]

Back in 1993, I installed 2 3495 at a French customer. When the 'animal' boots, the robot check the vision system by looking at 4 bare code labels stuck on it. I always imagined that it was looking at it's own belly button .
Also, with the customer team we planned to affix 3 peacock feathers on the waist of the robot to make it look like a French cancan dancing girl.
Old memories....

[@AussieStorageBlog]

+Jacques Bouchard I did have TS3500 customers who affixed pictures of popular footballers to the accessors ....

[@rtfordy]

I remeber our IBM rep explaining this to me, I had to fight to stop smiling. I finally asked if it went through a lot of brakes (my understanding was the robot was an automotive painting robot). His reply was "No, but we did have problems with fragile cracks on the rails"

[@francoisleveille409]

The video sure looks like it was done with a NewTek Video Toaster... good old Amiga.

[@hubzcaps]

dat midi keyboard sexy sounds like FM or Ad-lib

[@AussieStorageBlog]

The robot was a Fanec industrial robot that was used in car manufacture. I think IBM ran out of robots or Fanec stopped making that model, which sped up the switch to the smaller 3494, which went on to drive STK out of business.

[@roverp6tc]

Hi Anthony, it wasn't the primitive IBM 3494 that drove STK out of business, it was being taken over Sun that did it !!!
The STK 4410 and 9310, had a much greater Enterprise Tape storage market share than IBMs Library products. Not to mention the SL8500.
Overall STK probably had about 50 to 60% market share in both open systems and Enterprise Tape libraries in the late 90s and early 2000s.
IBM never achieved that market share even when they gave away a 3494 or 3584/TS3500 with a Z series and a Shark :)
STK > RIP !!!!!!

[@RaymondHng]

The robotics company is FANUC (Factory Automation Numerical Control) and pronounced as if it rhymes with _panic_ .

[@BryanKeniryG]

Anthony - long time

[@p4lestina]

Beautiful.

[@chrismayer3919]

interesting retrieval robot; who knew IBM's tape archives was THAT immense?

[@tonymaiorana4295]

Did first one in USA, the amazing Anthony for so many others. Painewebber

[@inerttech2570]

Very impressive technology for 1992 !

[@tomservo5007]

1992 wasn't the stone age

[@inerttech2570]

@@tomservo5007 I totally agree with you, but in 1992 robotic science wasn't developped like it is today and this robot and his movements are quiet impressive !

[@Omega9935]

There were a lot of industrial robot in 1992, this was one.

[@americancitizen748]

If a HAL9000 gets control of that robot arm then watch out!

[@panpatafian]

300kg robot to move 300g cartridge.:)

[@tomservo5007]

I have one for my home network. Unfortunately, I now have to keep my bedroom door locked.

[@sciencegirl100]

I WANT one! ... So I'm going to build my own (albeit much smaller)

[@AussieStorageBlog]

@BoardOfRandomosity Scary thought! There were interlocks to prevent this. I suppose you could just jump on the robot and go for a ride...

[@puntme]

serious tape rig

[@AussieStorageBlog]

He he... unfair... it could move two 300gram carts at once!

[@hubzcaps]

who did the music

[@djneo92nl]

A modern cheap avr could do the same, and if you also get an intern you could make him move 300 grams

[@danksmokaz]

Possible Yamaha FM 7

[@MrMaleBee]

:) hmm I Want one ... With the Light it almost seems human and friendly (Warm) ...
But can it pick up my room? :(

[@user-jt5vm3mi1w]

hi i want my data i dont mind if it takes a few hours

[@americancitizen748]

Anyone know what this music is?

[@neilpwilliamson]

Orange - Joris Voom

[@americancitizen748]

Thanks.

[@augustculbert3944]

It's actually Rapid Transit from Dancin' Heat by Network Music Ensemble, composed by Larry Groupé. Production music.