IBM 1403 print chain; source: Introduction to IBM Data
Processing Systems, IBM Textbook C20-1684, 1968.
The IBM print-train mechanism used
in the 1403 Line Printer. Different chains had
different numbers of distinct characters: 48, 64, 96, and so on. The fewer
distinct characters, the faster the printing speed. The 1403 had mountable
print chains; user jobs could request special chains to be mounted by the
operator.
