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Personal computers, c. 1970-80s
“In the mid-1970s, the increased availability of inexpensive microprocessors had to the development of “personal computers”—affordable computers intended for a single user. Typically, the first systems were available only as kits and required technical knowledge to build and operate. Clubs, newsletters, and magazines arose to facilitate an exchange of information between enthusiasts. By 1977, Commodore, Tandy Radio Shack and Apple were producing personal computers in large numbers. Most corporate managers hesitated to embrace the concept until ISM validated the market with its entry in 1981. The ISM Personal Computer (PC) caused an explosion of IBM-compatible hardware and software and sparked a new industry based on Intel microprocessors and Microsoft operating systems.”
Computer History Museum
Mountain View, CA
(6960)
Computer History Museum in Mountain View California
1401 N Shoreline Blvd
Mountain View, CA
(650) 810-1010
The world's largest history museum for the preservation and presentation of artifacts and stories of the Information Age located in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Picture Taken by Michael Kappel (Me)
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another photo: www.flickr.com/photos/cshym74/3572424256/
Operators with LGP-30, 1950s.
Librascope Inc., LGP-30, c. 1956
Memory: 4K (30-bit) Drum
Speed: 500 Add/s
Cost: $39,600
“The LGP-30 was a small drum-based computer marketed to engineering, scientific, and educational users. Among the first desk-sized computers, the LGP-30 offered small-scale scientific computing for a relatively low price. It had 113 vacuum tubes and 1,450 diodes, used conventional office power and required no air conditioning. The machine proved to be very reliable and many LGP-30s were in use for over a decade.”
Computer History Museum
Mountain View, CA
(7137)
I was in The Teacher Building in Glasgow today for an event on Federated Identity Management. In the basement, just outside the toilets, were these three display cases. Some of the items on display bring back memories. Some from my own experience, others from tales of the Olden Days.
I'm afraid I can't recall what this was exactly, and I can't read the card in the frame. All I can remember that it is a computer component from 1961.
The Hollerith Machine and the 1890 Census
“Herman Hollerith invented the first automated tabulating system using punch cards. Initially designed to process the 1890 census, his system became the basis for punch card accounting machines for most of the 20th century. Hollerith became wealthy as his Tabulating Machine Company expanded beyond government customers to include railroads, insurance companies, and manufacturers. Hollerith sold his patent rights in 1911 to a holding company (C-T-R) that was renamed international Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in 1924. Throughout most of the 20th century, punch card machines grew very sophisticated and bridged the gap between the paper and electronic ages.
The 1890 Census had not only to count a record number of Americans, but also collect more facts about them. Hollerith machines provided the automation that allowed the census to be completed in less than three years, compared to seven years for the previous one. Information about each person was punched into a card using a “pantograph” punch. To read the information, the card was placed in a press where spring-loaded contacts poked through the holes, completing an electrical circuit and advancing one or more of 40 counters. The counters were recorded and reset to zero at the end of the day.”
Computer History Museum
Mountain View, CA
(7186)
Another shot from our trip to the Computer History Museum. This is the Model 080 Card Sorter.
From the display;
Sorting data into either numerical or alphabetic order is one of the most basic office automated functions. The Model 080 sorted cards by reading the characters punched into one column and then routing the card to the corresponding output pocket. Sorting by complete numbers or names required multiple passes.
The 080 sorter was the most popular of all of IBM's punched card equipment in the pre-computing era. In 1943, there were over 10,000 units on lease.