On Mon, 1 Feb 1999, James Willing wrote:
> The original design for the Altair as presented in those fateful issues of
> "Popular Electronics" had no bus or backplane, but was just four circuit
> boards wired together with ribbon cable. (as shown in a picture in part one
> of the article)
>
> It would seem, that true seekers of the 'Holy Grail' would be trying to
> determine if any machines in that original configuration were ever actually
> shipped! And then the task would be to find one of those!
Aha, it's good that you bring this up. I can't think of a better
candidate for the title of "Holy Grail" of computer collecting. I mean,
the legend behind the first Altair is worthy of Holy Grail status for
sure. Think about it: it has the same folklorishness and desirability as
the cup that Jesus drank from during his last meal.
The "first" microcomputer, the one that launched the home computer
revolution, being lost during transit, never having been seen again. It
has to be somewhere, even if that's at the bottom of a landfill.
But I wonder. What if, just if, someone were to embark on a Quest.
Venture back in time, interview those involved (a major undertaking in
itslef since some have died and some just really don't care anymore) and
try to track down exactly what happened to this package. Look for
shipping invoices, try to determine who the delivery agents were, what
route did it take. Basically trace the last journey of this first Altair
and see if it leads you to the Holy Grail.
And if you think a $12,100 Altair or a $6,100 Alto II on ebay is
something, imagine what the first (in the truest sense) Altair would
bring?
> Now, THAT would be on a par with the Apple I ! Eh?
>
> Do I know? That would be telling... B^}
You're bluffing. All subsequent Altairs sold were the backplane type.
(I'm trying to elicit an admission of something fantabulous here that
you're hiding from us ;)
Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
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Received on Tue Feb 02 1999 - 01:02:21 GMT