Classic Computer Rescue Squad

From: Allison J Parent <allisonp_at_world.std.com>
Date: Sat Nov 8 22:33:07 1997

<It's an MCS8i, and it's based on the 8080 (40 pin ceramic DIP package -
<IIRC the 8008 has only 18 pins). The _CPU board_ carries a 1972 copyright

Yes the 8008 was 18 and the 8080 was 40. However the 8080 was not
available in 1972.

<date in the etch. Of course it could have been designed in 1972, and
<then sold later when the 8080 was produced, but it's still a pretty
<early design

The etch was likely not the copyright so much as the MCS8 written on it.

The MCS was their first shot boards for the 8008 and the 8080.

According to my research plus being in the industry during that time the
8008 was introduced in December 1971 and the 8080 was first sampled in
December 1973. Source, Intel literature I have. The 8080 was not even
operational in the lab during 1972. It's important to note that
significant qunatities of either were some 6 months later and very
expensive.

Additionally it was during 1973 (late summer) that Gary Kildall started
working on an operating system for the 8080 which was done mostly by cross
assemble and simulation and was run on the first die that was probed and
found functional.

Allison
Received on Sat Nov 08 1997 - 22:33:07 GMT