IBM Data Communications: A Quarter Century of Evolution and Progress

This paper describes the evolution of technological development in data communications at IBM. Rather than attempting to present a complete history, it emphasizes the changing environment and describes the more significant innovations that were incorporated in IBM's line of data communications products. Evolutionary developments in this area are traced from point-to-point batch transmission, to on-line batch communications, to interactive systems, and finally to networking. Although several aspects are treated, the primary focus of this account is on systems architecture, applications, and technology.