Micro-History Blog

Micro History Episode 3 - Dan Meyer and the SWTP 6800

Post #: 6
Post type: Blog post
Date: 2025-06-09 18:05:38.000
Author: Micro Man
Tags:

Apologies for the long delay on this one!

This is a great story of a computer and an electronics pioneer who are almost totally unknown today. But Dan Meyer and the humble SWTP 6800 profoundly changed the entire landscape of the personal computing industry. They split the market into two parts: one who craved compatibility, clone hardware options, and the widest possible array of add-on hardware, and the other who valued innovation, simplicity, and elegant design.

No prizes for guessing which two camps these folks evolved into!

Micro History Episode 2 - Bill Millard and IMSAI

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.

Enjoy!

Micro History Episode 1 - The Altair and Ed Roberts

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!

Micro History Episode 0 is up!

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!