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One of the world’s oldest still-operational computers
Manufactured by Fujitsu in 1959, the FACOM128 was the first relay-type commercial computer made in Japan, and was instrumental in the development of Japan’s computer industry.
The original computer featured the then advanced capabilities of a self-checking function for its internal processing, and a retry function.
The computer was ultimately used to design camera lenses and the YS-11, the first Japanese passenger plane produced after World War II.
It is still in an operational state and is one of the world’s oldest still-operational computers.
The FACOM128B was a later model of the FACOM128 launched in 1956.
The Fujitsu Relay-type Computer Technology Inheritance Project began activities in October 2006.
The technical personnel involved in the design, production, maintenance, and operation of the computer worked with current technical personnel to keep both the FACOM128B, which is fast approaching its 60th anniversary, and its sister machine, the FACOM138A, in an operational state.
The worlds first business computer, the UK-designed thermionic valve based Lyons Electronics Office (LEO), first ran a business programme in the early 1950s. LEO became part of ICL, which was ultimately absorbed into Fujitsu.
