Variable Word length CPU

[Gil Carrick]

...
> The 1400 series was specifically designed to clear out a 
> bunch of the older, hard to maintain, unit record equipment. 
> Use as an effective sidekick for some of the 7000 series was 
> a happy surprise for IBM.

This site says otherwise. 

http://simh.trailing-edge.com/i1401.html 

I am sure I have read it elsewhere as well. 

The IBM archive just says it was used for both, but gives no design
objective. 

I was on the user side, so I have no special information. It would be
interesting to hear from an insider.

Gil

> 
> William Donzelli
> aw288 at osfn.org
> 
>