It's the Pin Setter Computer. Next Question?
Zane
>Anyone up for a little mind bender? We begin with the images below:
>
>http://www.computergarage.org/~jwilling/P0870.JPG
>http://www.computergarage.org/~jwilling/P0871.JPG
>http://www.computergarage.org/~jwilling/P0872.JPG
>http://www.computergarage.org/~jwilling/P0873a.JPG
>
>One official 'no prize' to the first person who can identify these items.
>(or, perhaps a real prize... You never know)
>
>---
>
>Some Clues:
>
>These artifacts date from early 1962 (when they were in production -
>probably designed sometime in 1960-1961)
>
>These are dedicated units, with a hard-wired program (using a diode logic
>matrix contained in the larger unit but not visible in these images)
>
>The large chassis in the first two images is the central 'computer'. This
>unit could service up to ten machines that the smaller chassis in the
>second pair of images were connected to. (more or less on a FIFO on-demand
>time-shared basis)
>
>The smaller unit gathers data from a machine for processing by the larger
>unit, and once a solution has been determined, the larger unit relays (no
>pun intended) the information back to the requesting smaller unit which
>latches the solution data for display along with the original input data on
>a visual readout device which is part of the machine.
>
>These were a production item, in fairly common use and their results could
>be seen on public display nearly anywhere around the country (and to some
>extent the world) where they were in use.
>
>Collectively, the units were known as the "' ' Computer" and were
>considered an add-on or enhancement to the original machine with which they
>were used.
>
>No direct (or manual) input from the 'user' was required in the normal use
>of this computer.
>
>---
>
>The game ends with the first correct solution or on 01-November-1999
>(whichever comes first)
>
>---
>
>The images are un-retouched, except for image P0873a where part of the ID
>plate that would give away the answer has been obscured.
>
>And, if anyone really thinks it will help I will add some shots of the
>inside of the chassis in a day or so... LOTS of wires and stuff!
>
>Have at you!
>-jim
>
>---
>jimw_at_computergarage.org
>The Computer Garage - http://www.computergarage.org
>Computer Garage Fax - (503) 646-0174
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh_at_aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh_at_holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
|
http://www.aracnet.com/~healyzh/ |
Received on Tue Oct 26 1999 - 01:32:04 BST
