Mystery box -what is it?

From: Cliff Gregory <cgregory_at_lrbcg.com>
Date: Mon Dec 22 16:40:23 1997

I saw this interesting, computer look-a-like box at a local thrift the other
day, and decided to spring for the $2 and buy the thing. I have no idea
what it is; hopefully someone in this group will recognize the description.

First off the unit measures approximately 15" x 11" and is 4.5" high and is
colored the typical office equipment beige. The front of the box is a
darker brown with the name "ISAAC" written on the left hand side. Above the
two A's in ISAAC is a graphic symbol of an apple. On the upper right hand
side are the words "Cyborg model 91A". Across the bottom, left to right is
a power, push button switch next to an light indicator; four small turnable
knobs with indicator lights, marked 0, 1, 2, 3, respectively. Above the 0
knob is printed the word "Schmitt"; above the 1 & 2 knobs, "Reference";
above the 3 knob, "Adjust". On the right hand side are five push button
switches labled "READ OFF"; Schmitt 0, 1; Reference 2, 3.

Attached at the back by way of two flat connectors is a "91A Isaac
Distribution Board". It has two rows of screw type connectors for attaching
wire leads. They are marked off in banks with names such as "Binary In",
"Binary Out", "A/D Inputs", "SCH In", and others. Nearly 100 separate
connections possible. Across the bottom in small print is "Cyborg
Corporation, 342 Western Ave., Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02135.

Opening the box one finds a main system board with the words "91A ISSAC Main
Board D91A - 8131 REV D 281-061" stenciled near the center. There are banks
of what appear to be memory chips, as well as other various unidentifiable
(to me at least) chips, several banks of dip switches, and a bank of eight
slots, analogous to eight bit expansion slots, though somewhat smaller,
about three inches long. There is nothing which resembles a CPU, nor is
there any obvious way to connect power.

I've done some internet searches using keywords such as Isaac, cyborg, etc.
and have come up empty. Does anyone have any idea of what I bought with my
two bucks?

Cliff Gregory
cgregory_at_lrbcg.com
Received on Mon Dec 22 1997 - 16:40:23 GMT