When Olivetti set out to design a new method of using calculators in 1964, they didn’t expect to inadvertently design the worlds first commercial programmable “desktop” computer. But that is exactly what they did. Sold as a calculator, it actually has more in common with a computer. The computer is Read more…
LEO stands for Lyons Electronic Office. The LEO I computer was the first computer used for commercial business applications in 1954. It was a 1st generation computer using Valves. Two models later and in 1961 the LEO III was introduced. The LEO III was a 2nd generation computer, using Solid Read more…
The worlds first commercially available 16-bit microcomputer, the DDP-116 was introduced in 1965 by CCC: Computer Control Company Inc. They were taken over by Honeywell in 1966. Only 200 DDP-116 computers were ever made. They are 2nd generation machines, using only discrete electronic components. No IC Chips. Slot in cards Read more…
This IBM 1620 computer dates to March 1961. It was used to provide Education and research in the field of computer science, we believe it was used in the Eindhoven University of Technology. The IBM 1620 was first introduced in 1959, a second generation computer, it has transistorised circuitry. The Read more…
DIGITAL LINC-8 The LINC-8 (aka PDP-8/LINC) computer dates from September 1966. Designed as a laboratory computer, it is controlled by separate LINC & pdp8 processing units, it’s memory is the same as the pdp8, 4K. There were only approximately 145 of these units ever made, this makes it very difficult Read more…
The pdp12 was principally used as a laboratory computer, it is the next progression to the LINC-8 machine. There were 725 units made from 1969 to 1972. Like the LINC-8, the PDP-12 could run both LINC and pdp8 programs. The PDP-12 is classed as a 3rd Generation computer becuase of Read more…
The 1300 series was a joint venture between ICT (International Computers and Tabulators) based in Putney and GEC telephones based in Coventry. GEC provided the electronics and ICT the peripherals. A jointly owned design company was set up, Computer Developments Ltd of Kenton, Middlesex. Arthurs serial number is 075, this Read more…