OLD Computers

[BEST45CAL]

Ahhh...the memories.

Does anybody remember the Canon CAT? No?

Has anyone seen a Coleco ADAM lately? No?

Well, dayum!

Check this out: http://www.old-computers.com/news/default.asp

[nosferatuscoffin]

Some goodies there. My favorite was the MIT Whirlwind (http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=1047).

Some specs:
NAME Whirlwind
MANUFACTURER MIT
TYPE Professional Computer
ORIGIN U.S.A.
YEAR April 1951
END OF PRODUCTION 1953
BUILT IN LANGUAGE None
KEYBOARD Flexowriter typewriting/word processing unit
CPU Vacuum tubes
SPEED 20 KIPS initially, increased to 40 KIPS with core
memory
COPROCESSOR None
RAM 2K 16-bit words (Williams-Kilburn storage CRT initially, core, 1953)
VRAM None
ROM Boot loader on toggle panel
TEXT MODES None
GRAPHIC MODES 256 x 256
COLORS Monochrome
SOUND Yes
SIZE / WEIGHT Two stories / Several tons
I/O PORTS None
BUILT IN MEDIA Tape
OS None
POWER SUPPLY 1 MW
PERIPHERALS None
PRICE $708,909

[DoctorDoom]

The original MIT Whirlwind filled four floors of a two-story building...That's an... er... ah... interesting factoid.

[tacitus]

The processor was built from 18,000 vacuum tubes drawing about 50 watts each. When the tube racks were fully powered up, it was not safe to walk between them due to the heat they gave off.

I can believe that. Cook dinner in that area, and in just a few minutes.

[mabzie]

Some goodies there. My favorite was the MIT Whirlwind (http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=1047).

Some specs:
NAME Whirlwind
MANUFACTURER MIT
TYPE Professional Computer
ORIGIN U.S.A.
YEAR April 1951
END OF PRODUCTION 1953
BUILT IN LANGUAGE None
KEYBOARD Flexowriter typewriting/word processing unit
CPU Vacuum tubes
SPEED 20 KIPS initially, increased to 40 KIPS with core
memory
COPROCESSOR None
RAM 2K 16-bit words (Williams-Kilburn storage CRT initially, core, 1953)
VRAM None
ROM Boot loader on toggle panel
TEXT MODES None
GRAPHIC MODES 256 x 256
COLORS Monochrome
SOUND Yes
SIZE / WEIGHT Two stories / Several tons
I/O PORTS None
BUILT IN MEDIA Tape
OS None
POWER SUPPLY 1 MW
PERIPHERALS None
PRICE $708,909


ahh... the good old computers

[BarryC]

Interesting page. I need to check it out more. I do not work in computers but my dad does. He's been in computers since around 1960. There was a time when he had two Monrobot XI (that's the Roman numeral eleven) computer systems in the house. He gave away both of them later on and has been kicking himself ever since. A Monrobot XI system took up 3 large office desks. That computer is from aproximately 1959.
Barry

[Aric2000]

A friend of mine's dad worked for IBM, and he brought a computer home with him in 1978 or so, It took up half his garage, had HUGE platters for disks, and he would let me play star trek on it.

Just a numeric style game, it was fun, I have that game on this computer as well, it brings back memories.

The desktops of today are probably 10,000 times stronger then those beasts of old, and BTW, he still has the silly thing....

[DoctorDoom]

The desktops of today are probably 10,000 times stronger then those beasts of old...At least 10,000. I have no doubt that an average desktop box of our day has more power than mainframes of the 60s.

In my closet are two Commodore 64s, two C-128s, a Timex-Sinclair 1000, and Radio Shack PC-1 and PC-2 Pocket Computers. There's also a Magnavox Odyssey² in there. They all work.

Other antiques include the Sears Electronic Slide Rule (AFAIK the first pocket "scientific" calculator) and an original Bowmar Brain 4-banger calculator ($240 new).

The first IBM that I encountered had 64K of RAM, a 5¼" floppy, and no hard drive. That was a gem. :D Printing was done with an HP plotter.

The first real IBM was an 80286-based beast (around 10 MHz) with 640K of RAM and a whopping 30-meg hard drive (better than nothing, but not much). I have graphics on this box that would fill that drive.

In comparison, this (obsolete by the time I built it) home-built box has a 150 times faster CPU, 4000 as much RAM, and with the USB-connected hard drives, about 8700 times as much storage.

In ten years it will be looked back upon with a shake of the head and the question, "How did you ever get anything done with that boat anchor?"

You young'uns are in for some awesome times in the ongoing computer revolution.


And then of course, there was my first modern calculating device, the abacus that I used while designing the pyramids. It was a decided improvement over the counting stones that I used for calculating the trajectories of spears for taking down pterodactyls.

Needless to say, I don't mention those very often. People tend to be skeptical about such things.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

At least 10,000. I have no doubt that an average desktop box of our day has more power than mainframes of the 60s.

In my closet are two Commodore 64s, two C-128s, a Timex-Sinclair 1000, and Radio Shack PC-1 and PC-2 Pocket Computers. There's also a Magnavox Odyssey² in there. They all work.

Other antiques include the Sears Electronic Slide Rule (AFAIK the first pocket "scientific" calculator) and an original Bowmar Brain 4-banger calculator ($240 new).

The first IBM that I encountered had 64K of RAM, a 5¼" floppy, and no hard drive. That was a gem. :D Printing was done with an HP plotter.

Doc,
You are SUCH a hoot! My first computer was actually my Dad's computer -- he had an old Radio Shack PC. When I entered the working world, I learned how to do computer stuff on an IBM Mainframe computer. Each department was "assigned" a manual and one person from the dept. was supposed to become the computer tech for that area -- I was NOT chosen because I was a part-time employee, but I got tired of waiting for the person that was chosen to actually learn it so I (illegally) took the manual home and read it, and taught myself how to work the thing. I LOVED it and was hooked ever since.

My Dad also had the Radio Shack pocket computers too, Doc, and a Commodore! He was the "gadget-man," . . . if it was an electronic gadget, he would be first in line to get it.

Oh and I remember the HP plotter too -- I used to have to use one to plot leads for the company I worked for (Clairson International -- also known as Closet Maid).

And then of course, there was my first modern calculating device, the abacus that I used while designing the pyramids. It was a decided improvement over the counting stones that I used for calculating the trajectories of spears for taking down pterodactyls.

Needless to say, I don't mention those very often. People tend to be skeptical about such things.

http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/images/icons/biglaugh.gif:hahaha: http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/images/icons/biglaugh.gif

[BarryC]

When I was in high school, or maybe the year before I started, my dad got me and my brother TI-30 calculators. Mine developed a keyboard problem. If you pressed certain keys, the number of that key would show up in the display multiple times. Say if you presssed 5 you might get 555 or 55555 or whatever. My dad got me a new one which promptly started having the same problem. I still have it, along with a Slimline TI-35, which has an LCD display instead of LED.
I also have a Facit electronic desk calculator that measures 13" X 16", has a 16-digit Mullard Tube (AKA Nixie Tube) display, performs all the usual functions plus square and square root, and has 2 memories, although one of them is now dead. My dad used to tell me that this machine was from around 1960, but if you take the cover off the underside of it, you'll find a "made in Japan" label. I've been able to find out very little about these machines online. I think it may be circa 1973 or something. On the back of it there is some kind of computor cable jack too.

Other antiques include the Sears Electronic Slide Rule (AFAIK the first pocket "scientific" calculator) and an original Bowmar Brain 4-banger calculator ($240 new).

[Aric2000]

And then of course, there was my first modern calculating device, the abacus that I used while designing the pyramids. It was a decided improvement over the counting stones that I used for calculating the trajectories of spears for taking down pterodactyls.

Needless to say, I don't mention those very often. People tend to be skeptical about such things.

ROFLMAO!!

You are just too good....:hahaha:

[Warlady]

The first computer I remember is one my brother had called Commadore. It only ran on a floppy disk. Man that thing was fugly.

[DoctorDoom]

Was that the Commodore 64?

http://people.clarkson.edu/~johndan/datacloud/images/commodore_64.jpg http://www.cnspace.net/cge/commodore64/c64.gif

The things were ubiquitous for a few years. I have one that still works perfectly.

[DoctorDoom]

Then there was the C128 (got two of those guys). Note the well-known company name on the boot screen.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/DocDoom777/C128Boot.gif">

[JOEVIKING]

In my closet are two Commodore 64s, two C-128s, a Timex-Sinclair 1000, and Radio Shack PC-1 and PC-2 Pocket Computers. There's also a Magnavox Odyssey² in there. They all work.

My first Computer was the Timex-Sinclair 1000
Then I got the Commodore 64, then the 128
Also had the Odyssey2 - Remember that Quest for the Rings game that combined video with board play.
Loved their Football game too.

Wow brings back memories

[Foquet]

Was that the Commodore 64?

C-64 and the C-128. Best early gaming machine out there. From "Super Bowl Sunday" to old time, real-time AD&D-TSR games, they were the best of their times 20 years ago. Kind of still miss them.