2 Aug
2005
2 Aug
'05
6:26 p.m.
On Tue, 2 Aug 2005 01:19:52 -0400
"'Computer Collector Newsletter'" <news at computercollector.com>
wrote:
Regarding the "first" PC specifically, Doug
Salot explains it quite
well: http://www.blinkenlights.com/pc.shtml
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org
[mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of steve
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 1:11 AM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Kenbak-1 on Ebay
I don't think you can ever claim any computer as the first one without
some qualifications(computer using relays, tubes, TTL, microprocessor
etc), I think in the 1950's a relay computer kit called Simon was
available from Radio Electronics.
For microprocessor based computers the original manufacturer always
made the first computers based on their processor (so if you assume
the 4004 was the first microprocessor then Intel Intellec or its
single board cousin Sim-4 could be considered the first microprocessor
based computers).
Well, Intel didn't originally really intend the 4004 to be the basis of
a general purpose programmable computer. I suppose their early
development hardware can be considered a 'personal computer' kinda
sorta.
Speaking of which: are there other people out there who collect
development hardware? I have an assortment of 'development systems' all
the way from the little cheap 'evaluation kit' boards to my MDS system
with 8051 hardware ICE. (I also have the Intel 'bubble memory
development kit' which includes bubble memory on an ISA card, docs and
'sample' drivers to make it a small DOS non-volatile memory, which is
probably one of the more rare Intel 'Development Kits') I grab up
emulators and what-not where I can get them, like I got another 68HC11
emulator and a 68HC16 at the last IUPUI auction for five bucks each
(complete in-the-box with everything).