52-year-old data tape could contain only known copy of UNIX V4

A tape-based piece of unique Unix history may have been lying quietly in storage at the University of Utah for 50+ years. The question is whether researchers will be able to take this piece of middle-aged media and rewind it back to the 1970s to get the data off.

The news was posted to Mastodon by Professor Robert Ricci of the University of Utah's Kahlert School of Computing.

While cleaning a storage room, our staff found this tape containing #UNIX v4 from Bell Labs, circa 1973

Apparently no other complete copies are known to exist: https://gunkies.org/wiki/UNIX_Fourth_Edition

We have arranged to deliver it to the Computer History Museum

The nine-track tape reel bears a handwritten label reading:

UNIX Original From Bell Labs V4 (See Manual for format)

https://spacetelescopelive.org/

Shows a live view of what Hubble is watching and what the James Webb Space Telescope is watching.

UK's iconic Jodrell Bank telescope faces axe in science cuts

It's not being presented as a consequence of recent political changes in the UK, but time will tell.

The funding body, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) agency, is expected to make a statement shortly.

In reply to Richard Haselgrove's message of 27 Jul 2026:

UK's iconic Jodrell Bank telescope faces axe in science cuts

It's not being presented as a consequence of recent political changes in the UK, but time will tell.

The funding body, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) agency, is expected to make a statement shortly.

Reductions like this are regrettable as it's not a cut that the average citizen hears about and most families are focusing on Rent or Utilities and month to month expenses.

Bill F