# IBM 357

> family of IBM computer terminals and peripherals for industrial use, released in 1959

**Wikidata**: [Q5968643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5968643)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_357)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ibm-357

## Summary
The IBM 357 is a family of computer terminals and peripherals designed for industrial use, released by IBM in 1959. It functions as a remote job entry terminal, allowing users to submit batch jobs to a mainframe computer from a remote location using punched cards for input and output.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer:** IBM (International Business Machines)
- **Product Class:** Remote job entry terminal
- **Release Date:** 1959
- **Service Entry:** 1960
- **Primary Input/Output:** Punched cards
- **Primary Application:** Industrial use and remote batch job submission
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0cc673c
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Documented in English and Japanese languages

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the IBM 357?
A: The IBM 357 serves as a remote job entry terminal. It was designed to allow industrial operators to submit batch jobs to a central mainframe computer from a remote location.

### Q: When was the IBM 357 introduced?
A: The IBM 357 family was released in 1959. It officially entered service the following year, in 1960.

### Q: What technology did the IBM 357 use for data handling?
A: The system utilized punched cards for both input and output. This allowed it to interface with the batch processing workflows common to mainframes of that era.

## Why It Matters
The IBM 357 represents an early milestone in the development of distributed computing and industrial automation. By providing a dedicated family of terminals for industrial environments, IBM enabled the expansion of mainframe computing power beyond the central data center and onto the factory floor or remote worksites. 

As a remote job entry terminal, it solved the logistical problem of physical proximity to a mainframe. Instead of transporting data manually to the computer room, users could submit batch jobs via the 357's punched card interface. This capability was essential for the growth of large-scale industrial data processing, allowing for more efficient management of batch jobs and remote data entry in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

## Notable For
- **Remote Job Entry:** One of the early systems designed specifically for the remote submission of batch jobs to a mainframe.
- **Industrial Specialization:** Unlike standard office equipment, this family of peripherals was specifically tailored for industrial applications.
- **Punched Card Integration:** Utilized the prevailing punched card standard for both the input of data and the receipt of output.
- **Longevity:** Entered service in 1960, marking IBM's continued dominance in the early computer terminal market.

## Body

### Classification and Purpose
The IBM 357 is classified as a remote job entry (RJE) terminal. Its primary role in a computing environment was to act as a bridge between a remote user and a central mainframe. It allowed for the submission of batch jobs—groups of data and programs processed without manual intervention—from locations physically distant from the central processor.

### Technical Operation
The system was built around the use of punched cards, which served as the primary medium for:
*   **Input:** Users would feed punched cards containing data or instructions into the terminal.
*   **Output:** The system was capable of handling output in the form of punched cards, which could then be read or processed by other compatible machinery.

### Historical Context
Released in 1959 by IBM, the 357 family arrived during a period of rapid expansion for the American multinational technology corporation. While IBM was headquartered in Armonk, New York, and had been in operation since 1911, the 357 represented its push into specialized industrial hardware. The system officially entered service in 1960, providing a standardized method for industrial facilities to interact with mainframe batch processing systems.