Control Data CA150-C keyboard

This is UncleFan’s Control Data Corporation (CDC) CA150-C 80-key “ISO” keyboard for the 752 data terminal. The label on the bottom is also marked “Roseville Operations”, who could be the customer for whom the terminal was made. The keyboard appears to have been designed in 1977 (see archived CDC literature under terminals and Tom_Hunter_Scans).

The label bears the descriptive text “752 150 KBD NUM PAD FTZ”, equipment identity number CA150C, series code 02 and part number 15630973. The keyboard was made by Cherry USA, and is model B80-40AB, serial number 823643 and customer part number 519-15401 REV.E. The serial number would suggest a manufacture date of 1980, which ties in with the chips being made in 1979.

The CDC 752 hardware reference manual documents the switch types of the 83-key CA150-B and CA150-D “typewriter” keyboards, but not the CA150-C “ISO” model. No Cherry model numbers are given, unfortunately.

CA150-C is another example of a keyboard with Style A M5 switches beyond the date that Style AB was introduced. Specifically, most switches are 10° T-stem Style A, possibly M51-0182. It is also one of very few keyboards to have Cherry M4 illuminated switches. In this instance, though, they are indicators: immovable keys where the keycap just serves to provide a legend for the lamp.

Some keys have dual-colour markings (white and cream legends); these are triple-shot moulded.