On Aug 15, 2024, at 4:49 PM, Rick Bensene via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Mark L. wrote concerning the LGP-30 computer in the LCM+L/Paul Allen Auctions:
I dare to bet it's the last one. Anywhere.
It isn't the last one by any means. There are a few of these machines still around.
Here are links to a few that are in collections:
https://www.technikum29.de/en/computer/lgp30.php
https://t-lcarchive.org/lgp-30/
http://computermuseum.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/dev_en/lgp30/lgp30.html (was known
operational in 2007)
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/11/redditor-discovers-l…
(Found in 2022)
The LGP-30 was designed by Nuclear Physicist and Manhattan Project Team Member Stanley
Frankel, who also designed
a number of electronic calculators, including the SCM Cogito 240/240SR and the Diehl
Combitron.
An amazing thing about the LGP-30 is its relative simplicity(compared to contemporaries
of the time), relying heavily on the aspects of its magnetic drum-based memory to hold the
working registers as well as program storage for the machine. This means that the
machine has very few flip-flops (requiring vacuum tubes), and uses a large number of
inexpensive semiconductor diode logic gates for data routing and control functions.
They weren't fast by any means, but were inexpensive and reliable, and required no
special power or cooling, making them very popular in a wide variety of settings, from
military to business. Quite a large number of them were made, and fortunately, some have
survived to this day. I don't know if any of the machines that still exist are
actually in running condition today, but there were a few of them that were known to be
running in the decade of 2000.
Rick Bensene
The Old Calculator Museum
https://oldcalcultaormuseum.com
Beavercreek, Oregon USA