On Wed, 21 Apr 1999, Christian Fandt wrote:
> This seems to be a well researched trail leading up to the Simon, IMO.
Yes, Doug did a fantastic job.
> However, any good guess as to how many Simons were actually made and
> successfully run from the over 400 plan sets sold? Any known to exist now?
Doug is still looking for one, but he and another local Doug are looking
into building one. They've acquired a nice pile of relays and are hoping
to have one built by VCF 3.0 for exhibit.
> To try to solve that First Microcomputer question, a set of attributes must
> first be set just like the set was to determine the 1st PC as shown in the
> above URL. Methinks that will be a bit troublesome as nobody seemed to
> agree on that during the last go-around of discussing the 1st Microcomputer
> here awhile back.
Well, first what? First computer built around a microprocessor? That
would probably be Intel's development machines. Or should it include an
integrated CRT and keyboard? Or did it just have to have a serial
interface for a terminal? Or are lights and switches good enough for
output and input?
Arguing firsts is mostly pointless because people have a problem agreeing
on the definition. I vote for the F14 CADC computer, since it was built
around what could be considered a "microprocessor" and was in production
and flying in the F14 in 1970.
http://www.microcomputerhistory.com
Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out.
Coming this October 2-3: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0!
See
http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
[Last web site update: 04/03/99]
Received on Thu Apr 22 1999 - 04:12:25 BST