30 Jan
1999
30 Jan
'99
5:20 a.m.
Derek Peschel wrote:
I've often thought it would be fun to collect old telephone company
equipment, like chunks of crossbar and step-by-step switches, early
ESS switches and so on. My fantasy is to acquire the equipment from
a small rural exchange that was upgraded, get it set up and run an
actual non-connected telephone exchange in my basement. But the
power requirements are bizarre and that equipment never seems to
surface anyplace I can find it.
The ESS switches, like the 1A and so on, are VERY computer-like.
Anthony Clifton - Wirehead
This is a borderline off-topic area, since there are other mailing lists for
the purpose. Also, mechanical calculators are certainly computers, but
they're special-purpose and nonprogrammable. But I might as well spread
useful information.
I'd hate to see discrimination in computing technology pervade this
list.
Many electromechanical systems are programmable and we have a number
in our collection. History will note the AT&T relay systems, the Zuse
machines, Harvard MK I and descendants and many many others.