Commissionned work, private collection - August 2024


The IBM Series/1, introduced in 1976, was a minicomputer designed for real-time data processing and control applications. It played a pivotal role in IBM's product lineup, filling a niche between mainframes and personal computers. The Series/1 gained significant market share in industrial automation, retail, and telecommunications sectors due to its flexibility, reliability, and ability to support diverse applications.



This 1:12 scale diorama is a very accurate reproduction of the IBM Series\1 and the 5251 display terminal. Along with a white desk and red steelcase chair from the era it showcase a typical office situation where the minicomputer could be shown in advertising of the time.




Released in 1976 the industrial design of the time continued to evolve into the 80s. The industrial design language started in those years had a big influence in later products as can be seem even on the IBM 5150 Personal Computer released years later in 1981.




Different techniques were used to build this diorama. Polystyrene sheets for the desk and rack chassis as well as SLA 3d printing for the rack front panels and 5251 display and keyboard. The chair was sculpted in sculpey and then molded and cast to make it more durable.