Twenty years ago I bought two core memory planes (1960's, $6K new) for $50 each. Gave one to my dad, kept the other. Astonished these hadn't inflated like art work.
>"The Model 145 is notable as IBM's first computer that used semiconductor main memory. The computer is very large by modern standards, filling the blue cabinets below. One cabinet holds the CPU while another holds 256 kilobytes of memory chips. This computer predates the microprocessor, so the CPU is built gate-by-gate from many boards of integrated circuits. The Model 145 weighed over a ton, cost $5 to 10 million (in current dollars), and was roughly as fast as an IBM PC (1981)."
These old school chips were amazing. I recently watched this old mainframe chip disassmbly:<p><a href="https://youtu.be/xQ3oJlt4GrI" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/xQ3oJlt4GrI</a>
Surprisingly clear circuitry, and a nice looking paper weight too. IBM and made in France! I guess they made some chips in France.<p>I hope that you would restore the paperweight. I was so intrigued that I looked for it on ebay with no luck.