IBM Australia observes its 50th anniversary, and IBM Hong Kong celebrates its 25th
anniversary.
IBM markets its first two industrial robotic systems - 7565 and 7535 manufacturing
systems - which can be programmed with IBM-developed AML, the world's most
advanced commercially available robotic control language.
New business organizations, called Independent Business Units, are formed to take
advantage of new business growth areas, such as telecommunications and industrial
automation.
IBM announces the IBM 3084, the company's top-of-the-line computer, with four
central processing units offering up to 64 million characters of main memory and
48 channels; and the 3083 model Groups E, B and J, using the industry's densest
logic circuit packaging.
Also introduced in 1982 are the 3800 Printing Subsystem, Model 3; the IBM Personal
Typewriter; Scanmaster I, for storing and retrieving image documents from a host
computer; and the 6361 Fastdraft System, a low-cost drafting system using a light
pen and a CRT screen.
The IBM Credit Corporation introduces term lease financing to U.S. customers.
IBM researchers develop a display terminal with audio output for sight-impaired
operators.
IBM enters an agreement to purchase a minority interest in the Intel Corporation.
IBM contributes $80 million in cash grants, equipment and other support to social,
educational and cultural programs worldwide.
Thirteen major job training centers open in the United States for the economically
disadvantaged, bringing the total of such IBM-supported centers to 21.
