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What is this computer?

B

ben

New Member
Joined
May 13, 2010
Messages
2
I have come accross this machine, and picked it up for something to have a tinker with.

It's an all transistor construction, not an IC in sight. All made on Vero board, and all wiring done on the back in point to point. I can only imagine how long it took to make this!

The transistors that I can see are 2N1980 and BC108 on the logic boards (must be about 500 by my estimations), while the PSU has an OC25 and TI3027. From what I gather, these devices were popular in the late '60s.

First impressions are good at the state of the machine - a few broken off wires to resolder, PCB fixing brackets to resecure, and the power supply electrolytics look very suspect.

Pictures

I'll take some of my own pictures once i've got a bit more time to have a play with it, but these are from the auction I bought it from.
 
I'd say it's a homebrew computer simulator/trainer. I can't say if whoever built it also designed it, but it seems likely - if your timeframe estimate is correct, articles explaining basic computer operations were not uncommon, and a skilled hobbyist could easily build a basic unit like this. It's very interesting, I would really hope it comes with notes from the original owner/maker!
 
Thanks for your reply.

I have the machine in my possesion, it arrived this morning, and unfortunately it didn't come with any other information or documentation. I'm hoping that as I start to dismantle it to fix the problems, I come across at least something hinting of the builder/designer.

Even the people selling it didn't have a clue what it was - they described it as a machine for logging orders in a hotel! I guess the 'Order register' row of switches gave them that idea.
 
lol at the description. Pretty neat find although I have no idea other than home brew. There were several guides to making your own system back then so I could see that being one although the design is beautiful and does look professional. Not sure what you got it for but sounds like a pretty good deal :) Are you familiar with TTL logic/CPUs?
 
You have got a very nice computer, it featured in the magazine
Wireless world back in 1967.
Helpfully the link should show a photo of the magazine
we have got all the issues that relate to the kit, so if you need
any info just let us Know Ben.
index.php
 
wigton.museum said:
You have got a very nice computer, it featured in the magazine
Wireless world back in 1967.
Helpfully the link should show a photo of the magazine
we have got all the issues that relate to the kit, so if you need
any info just let us Know Ben.
index.php
Click to expand...

I think you got the BBcodes wrong regarding the link... Here is problably how you meant to show it:
 
wigton.museum said:
You have got a very nice computer, it featured in the magazine
Wireless world back in 1967.
Helpfully the link should show a photo of the magazine
we have got all the issues that relate to the kit, so if you need
any info just let us Know Ben.
index.php
Click to expand...

Wow, I remember reading those articles and dreaming of having enough money and time to build my own.
 
Yours is a bit different than that one - same computer line, obviously, but yours is wood while that picture looks like it's metal, and also the top overhangs on that picture on the magazine.. A couple other details are also different - perhaps it's a later or earlier revision? It would be cool if it was a prototype or some such. :D

Cool machine, though, and nice find undoubtedly. :)
 
Hi
That has to be the coolest computer I've seen. I'm not sure how one would
program it but it is definitely a demonstration machine. There seem to be
more switch combinations than things to do. Most likely the intent was that
one could expand things like the memory to 8 bytes and add several more
alu operations.
dwight
 
Hi
Looking at the cover of the magazine, I'd say it was a bit serial.
The speed switch would just set the execution of 8 bits. One would
have to enter the next instruction and then execute the 8 bits again.
At least that is the way it looks to me. It just has to be the coolest
computer I've seen in years.
Dwight
 
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