Mainframe

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Provided by the ASK Keyboard Dictionary

Category: Misc

Origin: Official

A mainframe computer is a class of large cabinet-style computer conceived by the 1940s and designed for bulk data processing, of which IBM System/360 and its System/370, System/390 and Z descendents are prominent examples of. If a keyboard is said to be for a mainframe computer, it is likely a terminal or console keyboard within such an ecosystem. For IBM from 1971 onwards, "mainframe keyboard" also likely refers to such a keyboard for an IBM 3270 family device.

Sources

ASK. Admiral Shark's Keyboards original content. License/note: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Ørnelund Leif Krohn, Olso Museum - Teamco a.s. & Co., interiør, datamaskiner, menn [accessed 2025-07-07]. License/note: CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped).

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