Micro-History Blog

 RSS Feed for this blog


Sign up for
the free newsletter

Subscribe now and get a bonus computer history chart!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    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!



    Views: 324


    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!



    Views: 382


    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!



    Views: 390


    Welcome to Micro-History


    Post #: 2
    Post type: Blog post
    Date: 2024-03-14 22:56:05.000
    Author: Micro Man
    Tags:



    Views: 424


    Micro-History.com is Under Construction!


    Post #: 1
    Post type: Blog post
    Date: 2024-03-14 05:14:43.000
    Author: Micro Man
    Tags:



    Remember these types of images from the 1990s? Me too.

    Stay tuned... Micro-History.com is going live THIS MONTH!



    Views: 899