28 May
2024
28 May
'24
6:56 a.m.
On Tue, May 28, 2024 at 8:15 AM Dave Dunfield via cctalk <
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
I don't consider whether a computer is inexpensive enough for the average
person to use as a criteria for whether a computer could be considered by
nature a personal computer. The key for me is "by nature". The manual
and training materials for the LGP-30, which I have studied and worked with
extensively, walk the average person how to use it as if it were a personal
computer, even if they don't use that term in the manuals. I believe the
LGP-30's were for the academic market, and large companies who had research
labs. The materials I have are from DuPont in Wilmington Delaware.
In the 50's a personal computer would be the same cost as a house, but can
the average person afford a house now? Does that no longer make it a
house? I did not have enough money to buy a Sinclair TS1000 when they
first came out, my parents would never have bought one as it would have
appeared a frivolous expense then. But no one would argue that the TS1000
(ZX81) was a personal computer.
The LGP-30 had 3 tubes in it's clock module card, it was not a small, easy
to move system, but it was contained in a single piece of furniture. My
vote is for the LGP-30 to be considered among the first electronic personal
computers. In simplest terms - a computer with an instruction set,
programmable, saved programs, has RAM of some sort, electronic (not
analog). Analog computers are a separate class as far as I am concerned,
as are mechanical calculators, etc.
The LGP-30 pre-dates the Bendix 15 and no where in any of those user
manuals does it indicate anything hinting at personal use of the computer.
IT was designed and marketed as a miniconmputer / industrial tool computer.
Bill
With respect, I
have studied the 1956 Royal McBee LGP-23 (and later -30)
at
length and found one could easily use this
computer as a "personal
computer".
I've not see one of these - that's a VERY early system! Sounds like it
could have been used for "personal" computing - but was it common and
inexpensive enough that "average people" could have one?
I just went on Ed Roberts claim to be one who coined the term "Personal
Computer" - I've not found any specific references to this term pre-dating
1975 ... but who knows! (I've not really looked that hard :-)
Not everyone speaks English, who knows if there is a Spanish, German,
French, etc. use of the term. It would be hard to claim "first" of
anything like that.
One might find it pretty easy to program
"Hunt the Wumpus" ...