Hi Colin, This is the answer that I got from my friend Colin.

> The paper is made of long fibers.  It is oiled, as this provides the
> lubricant for the punches.  I do not know of a source.  There are two
> widths, one is 1 inch (the modern stuff that is for 8 holes, and 3/4
> inch for 5 holes).

> I will see if I can find anything about where to get it.  I rarely
> see it at the electronics swap meet.  My only hope is to ask at the
> electronics swap meet, and this is in about 3 weeks, if I go.
> Suggest you find library with copy of "CQ" or "73" magazine, the
> amateur radio publication and look for ads or a regular feature
> (radio amateurs use the method of "data" to communicate, it was
> "Teletype" in the olden days).
>
> Colin


This arrived from MMDer Bob Loesch:

> I don't know about direct computer applications but there were
> several computer-assisted typesetting applications.
>
> When I was first employed by Pacific Telephone Co., this system was
> used to keep a daily permanent record of employees' time worked.
> This tape was company-mailed to the accounting center weekly, where
> it was fed into the accounting dept.'s ancient (early 50s) computer.
> I used to marvel that my hand-held TI calculator had more processing
> power than that old beast.  It was finally retired in the early 70s,
> to be replaced by a now-obsolete IBM 3B20.
>
> Regards,
>
> Bob
> http://www.jps.net/rrloesch


I also forgot to mention that the Frieden unit came as a two unit set.
One to record and one to play back.  It could be used for form letters
like the Robotyper.

Another use for this tape was numerical controlled machining.  The tape
was composed on a Frieden like machine and then fed to a numerically
controlled (NC) mill or lathe.  These machines are now CNC (computer
numerically controlled), like everything else.

Jack Conway