24 May
2024
24 May
'24
4:49 p.m.
The problem with this debate is that the definition of Personal Computer
is totally fluid and can be written so that the writers opinion is fact.
Each computer system has contributed, in some way, to those that followed.
If you really want say what is the first "personal" computing machine
that did not require manual manipulation (like an abacus) it would have
to be the Antikythera Mechanism.
This orrery (model of the solar system) was built around 35 BC. Yes is
was an analog computer but technically it was the first personal
computer (single user, autonomous, hand held and portable too).
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/an-ancient-greek-astronomical-ca…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism
Ok, all of you computer brains out there, find me something older that
matches this (I'm sorry but the sun dial, sextant and compass don't
count because they don't calculate they only indicate).
Tongue firmly implanted in cheek 😛😂
On 5/24/2024 11:14 AM, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote:
On Fri, May 24, 2024 at 8:34 AM Chuck Guzis via cctalk
<
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
On 5/24/24 07:57, CAREY SCHUG via cctalk wrote:
This is on the Canonical List of ClassicCmp Debate Topics and is a dead
horse so beaten that there's nothing left but teeth and fur at this point.
Sellam (I could be mistaken about the mentioned 8008
device, but I think that
was a training device, no?)
Do your homewoork--the MCM-70 ran APL, had cassette storage and a
display and keyboard. The MITS 8800 had nothing other than RAM and a
CPU. APL would have been a distant dream.
Of course, the MCM0/70 was Canadian, and not USAn...
--Chuck