The IBM 1400 series were second-generation (transistor) mid-range business decimal computers that IBM marketed in the early 1960s. The computers were offered to replace tabulating machines like the IBM 407. The 1400-series machines stored information in magnetic cores as variable-length character strings separated on the left by a special bit, called a "wordmark," and on the right by a "record mark." Arithmetic was performed digit-by-digit. Input and output support included punched card, magnetic tape, and high-speed line printers. Disk storage was also available. Many members of the series could be used as independent systems, as extensions to IBM punched-card equipment, or as auxiliary equipment to other computer systems. Some, however, were intended for specific applications or were economical only as independent systems. History The 1401, announced on October 5, 1959, was the first member of the IBM 1400 series. It was the first computer to deploy over 10,000 units. The IBM 1410 was a similar design, but with a larger address space. The IBM 1460 was logically, but not physically, identical to a fully optioned 1401 with 16,000 characters of memory, and twice as fast. The 1240 was a banking system, equivalent to the 1440 system with MICR support. The IBM 7010 was logically, but not physically, identical to a 1410, and twice as fast. Members of the 1400 series included: IBM 1240 - 1963 banking system IBM 1401 - 1959 IBM 1410 - 1960 IBM 1420 - 1962 high-speed bank transit system IBM 1440 - 1962 IBM 1450 - 1968 Bank Data Processing System for small banks IBM 1460 - 1963 IBM 7010 - 1962 Peripherals used with 1400 series machines included: Card reader/punches: IBM 1402, IBM 1442, IBM 1444 Printers: IBM 1403, IBM 1404, IBM 1443, IBM 1445 7 track tape drives: IBM 729, IBM 7330, IBM 7335 Disk drives: IBM 1301, IBM 1311, IBM 1405 RAMAC Check processing IBM 1210 Paper tape input/output Console typewriter IBM 1407, IBM 1447 Compatible systems IBM provided several models compatible (or nearly so) with the 1401. 1460 was twice as fast, and many special features of 1401 were standard. 1440 was a popular lower-cost alternative, although not fully compatible with the 1401. 1240, 1420, 1450 were systems specially designed for banking. 1410 was a much faster system in the same spirit as 1401, but with significant differences, such as larger memory (up to 100,000 characters), more index registers (fifteen), and additional