Post #: 5
Post type: Blog post
Date: 2024-07-19 20:59:45.000
Author:Micro Man Tags:
This one's a doozy - welcome to the crazy world of personal computers in the 1970s. This story has it all - bad managers, overworked engineers, cult-like mandatory "training" based on crazy 1970s seminars... and it ends with the most bizarre implosion in the history of tax evasion.
Plus, some computer history! The IMSAI was the world's first personal computer clone, a 100% compatible copy of the MITS Altair 8800. It set the stage for other companies to clone the IBM PC later on, which changed the world forever.
Plus plus plus, the first appearance of Gary Kildall and CP/M! But definitely not the last.
Post #: 4
Post type: Blog post
Date: 2024-06-04 21:23:46.000
Author:Micro Man Tags:
I'm really proud of this one. This is the amazing story of Ed Roberts and how he kickstarted the entire personal computer industry with the first successful personal computer, the Altair 8800. I got some great archive video footage of Ed and others who were there at the time being interviewed from 1996.
Also, if you're wondering how you can get the REALLY COOL Micro-History t-shirt I'm wearing in the video, hey, just look up, and click the "Store" link on the top menu bar!
Post #: 3
Post type: Blog post
Date: 2024-04-22 21:11:03.000
Author:Micro Man Tags:
Well, it took way longer than I anticipated, but it's finally here!
This video tries to answer the age-old question: what was the FIRST personal computer? I go into a bit of a tangent in trying to define a computer first, and then go through the early history of digital computers, before finally getting around to answering the question. Maybe. You'll have to watch to find out!
Here's a list of computers and their cool technical specs that I cover in this video, as a bonus for those of you reading this on the website:
First Computers
0. Zuse Z3
Year released: 1941 CPU: 2,600 relays Speed: 5-10 Hz Memory: 176 bytes (64 x 22-bit words) Storage: Punched celluloid tape Power consumed: 4,000 Watts Weight: 1000 kg Number made: 1 Cost: $400,000 US (2023)
1. ABC
Year released: 1942 CPU: 600 vacuum tubes Speed: 60 Hz Memory: 375 bytes (3000 bits, 30 100-bit binary numbers) Storage: Paper tape Power consumed: Unknown Weight: 320 kg Number made: 1 Cost: Unknown
2. Colossus Year released: 1943 CPU: 1600 vacuum tubes Speed: Massively parallel (equivalent to 1.2 MHz today) Memory: None Storage: Paper tape Power consumed: 8,500 Watts Number made: 12 Cost: Unknown (secret)
3. ENIAC
Year released: 1945 CPU: 18,000 vacuum tubes Speed: 5,000 Hz Memory: None Storage: Punched cards Power consumed: 150,000 Watts Weight: 24,000 kg Number made: 1 Cost: $ 6.2 million US (2023)
4. Manchester Baby
Year released: 1948 CPU: 550 vacuum tubes Speed: 50,000 KHz Memory: 128 bytes (64 x 32-bit words) Storage: None Power consumed: 3,500 Watts Weight: 900 kg Number made: 1 Cost: Unknown (prototype project)
First Personal computers
0. Simon
Year released: 1950 (instructions) CPU: About 120 relays Speed: 0.6 Hz Memory: 2 bits (¼ byte) Storage: paper tape Power consumed: 125 Watts Weight: 18 kg (not including power supply) Number made: 400 (plans sold) Cost: $600 ($7,400 in 2023)
1. Kenbak-1
Year released: 1971 CPU: 132 7400-series TTL chips Speed: 500 KHz Memory: 256 bytes Storage: None Power consumed: 14 Watts Weight: About 15 kg Number made: 51 Cost: $750 ($5,000 in 2023)
2. Micral
Year released: 1973 CPU: Intel 8008 (3500 transistors) Speed: 500 KHz Memory: Up to 16 Kb Storage: paper tape Power consumed: Weight: 12 kg Number made: 500 Cost: $1750 ($11,000 in 2023)
3. Mark 8
Year released: 1974 CPU: Intel 8008 (3500 transistors) Speed: 500 KHz Memory: Up to 16 Kb Storage: Cassette (optional add-on) Power consumed: Weight: Number made: 400 Cost: $500 in parts ($3,000 in 2023)
4. Altair 8800
Year released: 1975 CPU: Intel 8080 (4,500 transistors) Speed: 2 MHz Memory: Up to 64k Storage: Paper tape, Cassette, Floppy Drive (optional add-ons) Power consumed: Weight: Number made: 25,000 Cost: $621 ($3,100 in 2023)
Thanks for watching and/or reading! I'm going to make sure to add more stuff on this blog that didn't quite make it into the videos. So stay tuned!