The Surprisingly Complex History of the Word "Mainframe"

This article delves into the unexpected evolution of the term "mainframe." Initially referring to the physical frames of early computers like the IBM 701, its meaning shifted over time. It became synonymous with the CPU, and eventually settled on its modern definition: a large, powerful computer for transaction processing or business applications. The article explores this semantic shift, analyzing the impact of minicomputers and microcomputers, IBM's role in popularizing the term, and its eventual widespread adoption.