It used discrete surface barrier transistors instead of vacuum tubes ( as the integrated circuit had not yet been invented ).
2.
In late 1953, engineers at Philco Corporation invented the surface barrier transistor, the first high frequency transistor suitable for use in high speed computers.
3.
In June 1955, the National Security Agency and the United States Navy entered into a contract with Philco to build a specialized scientific transistorized computer based on Philco's surface barrier transistor technology.