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1<?php
2        $seiten_id = 'fruehe-computer';
3        $version = '$Id: early-computers.php 867 2015-10-24 21:26:15Z heribert $';
4        $titel = 'Scientifical calculators and mini computers';
5       
6        require "../../lib/technikum29.php";
7?>
8
9<h2>Scientifical calculators and mini computers</h2>
10
11<h3 id="lpg21-en">Schoppe & Faeser:  LGP-21 (General Precision) </h3>
12       
13        <!-- Bild über ganze Breite (geht bei schmalen Monitoren ins Menü rein) -->
14        <!-- Implementierung dafür steht im common.css, Zeile 300ff. -->
15    <div class="box center" style="position:relative;">
16       <div style="position:absolute; top:0px;"><img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/lgp-21.jpg"  width="872" height="414" alt="LGP 21 Computeranlage" />
17</div>
18        <div style="height: 443px;">&nbsp;</div>
19                <p class="bildtext small">From left to right: magnetic tape drive, 1. LGP-21, Tally paper-tape-reader and punch, 2. Tally reader, two additional hard drives, 2. LGP-21, Flexowriter</p>
20               
21    </div>
22               
23                <p>This machine is particularly interesting in more than one way: 1) The hardware
24is extremely simple, 2) the machine already employs a bus system for
25interconnecting the various units. 3) The machine features a fixed disk which
26holds all registers as well as timing tracks. As the picture above shows we
27have two complete systems which simplifies troubleshooting and repair.<br>
28
29Citing from the original brochure (1964): "The LGP-21 is produced by Schoppe &
30Faeser as a licensee in Europe and is distributed by EUROCOMP GmbH."<br>
31
32The LGP-21 had been developed by Librascope, division GP1 (USA). This company
33once was one of the largest calculating machine manufacturers in the world.
34Starting in 1962 the LGP-21 was marketed in the USA by General Precision. The
35machine is a very small computer but was advertised as "The first complete
36program controlled digital computer for only $16,250 in the minimum
37configuration." This configuration consisted of the CPU and a Flexowriter only.
38This machine was the successor of the <a class="go" href="/en/computer/lgp30.php"><b>LGP-30</b></a> (1st generation, 1956, also build
39by Schoppe & Faeser in Germany as a licensed product). The LGP-21 is very rare
40- only about 100 machines were built in Germany. Even rarer is the magnetic
41tape unit of which only 5 known units were built. The machine in the museum has
42serial number 4.</p>
43
44<div class="box left clear-after">
45                <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/tally-lochstreifenleser.jpg" width="603" height="241" alt="Tally Lochstreifenleser" />
46                <p class="bildtext small">The external memory of the LGP-21 are perforated papertapes, which are scanned mechanically of the Tally-tape reader. The magnetic tape drive and other external drives were added in the late 60s.</p></div>
47               
48<p>As external storage the LGP-21 employs a paper tape system using Tally
49papertape readers. The magnetic tape unit and two external disks with a
50capacity of about 8000 words each were added in the late 1960s.<br>
51
52A rotating disk serves as the machine's main memory and clock generator. It
53rotates with 1475 RPM and holds 4096 words of 32 bits each which equals 12 kB,
54a reasonable size back then.
55
56<div class="box left">
57<a  class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/lgp21-platte.jpg">LGP-21 disk drive
58                <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/lgp21-platte.jpg" width="300" height="270" alt="LGP-21 disk drive" /></a>
59        </div>
60<br>
61The disk contains 64 data tracks, four timing tracks and tracks for three registers (accumulator, instruction register and
62counter register).
63The mean write density is about 10 Bit/mm (about 1/200th of
64today's disk drives).<br>
65The LGP-21 supports 23 different instructions - enough to program typical
66scientific applications.<br>
67
68Repairing the machine turned out to be quite a challenge. Having two machines
69of this type helps a lot.
70
71More information about this interesting and rare system will follow.</p>               
72
73
74       
75        <h3>Mini-Computers</h3>
76
77    <p>Today's kids think of the latest mobile devices when talking about "mini computers".
78           In contrast, in the 1960s and the early 70s, a computer was always huge (like our
79           <a href="univac9400.php">UNIVAC mainframe</a>), thus a 300kg computer was "mini".
80           Early computers are well worth seeing due to their enormous size and the nice
81           transparent auxillary devices.
82       <br />There is a very important computer family that finally lead to (today's)
83           personal computers: The development of the "Mini" computers from Digital Equipment
84           Corporation (DEC), series PDP-8 and PDP-12 (both 12-bit architecture). The museum
85           owns a complete production run from that devices: From the PDP-8 (also called
86           Classic-8), year of manufacture 1965 to the PDP-8a (1975, this one is less
87           important so it is located in the archive). PDP means Programmed Data Processor.
88        </p>
89        <div class="box left clear-after">
90        <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/flip-chip-module.jpg" width="400" height="173" alt="Flip-Chip-Module" />
91                <p>The manuals of these computers are very detailed, with full circuit
92                   documentation. There never have been any other computer with such an
93                   elaborate documentation. For restoration purposes these manuals are
94                   indispensable. Even in those days, other manufacturers kept their
95                   blueprints in secret for fear of unauthorized re-use (e.g. HP).
96                 
97                </p>
98        </div>
99       
100        <p>For further reading see the story about <a class="go" name="backlink-dec"
101        href="/en/devices/dec-history.php">Rise and Fall of DIGITAL (Equipment Corporation)</a>.</p>
102
103    <h3 id="pdp8">Classic PDP-8</h3>
104        <div class="box left clear-after">
105                <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-8.jpg" width="400" height="560" alt="PDP 8 Classic" />
106                <img style="clear:left" src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-8,pannel.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="PDP-8 Bedienungspannel" />
107                <img style="clear:left" src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp8-fluegel.jpg" width="400" height="345" alt="PDP-8 Flügel" />
108       
109       
110                <p>PDP computers were especially used by scientists. By using self-made
111                   (CPU) interface boards, already existing (experimental) equipment could easily
112                   migrated to the new hardware. DEC even offered prefabricated boards to
113                   encourage own extension development.
114                   The figure above shows a typical second generation module (1965) without ICs
115                   from the classic PDP-8 on the left. In the middle is a smaller third generation
116                   module with ICs (from 1967) which was used in the PDP-8i, PDP-8L and PDP-12.
117                   On the right is an empty module just suitable for being equipped by the
118                   user for interfaces to own periphery.<br>
119
120       
121         One of the museum highlights: The complete PDP-8 system with processor,
122         a big tape deck TU-580 (originally belonged to the PDP-5, manufactured in 1963),
123         punch card reader/puncher PC-01, hard-disc DF-32 with immovable heads
124         and a teletype as printer. The Classic PDP-8 is considered the world's first mass-produced
125         "minicomputer". Due it's use of ICs, unlike its predecessors, it is considered
126                 a second-generation computer.
127        </p>
128                 
129                <p>This computer features various different logic and register modules. All logic
130                is only built with NAND and NOR gatters. Registers are constructed with flip-flop
131                circuits. The extensive wiring of the modules (see picture) is called
132                <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire_wrap">Wire wrapping</a>. This kind of
133                connections were used in all bigger computers until the 1980s, since it is an
134                easy way to connect two points which are not mounted on the same board or on the
135                same level. In the early days this wiring was manually performed and later executed
136                by machines. Even today there are still some wire-wrap-connections in testing
137                environments.
138                <br>
139                The picture shows the uncovered computer with opened right wing where you can easily
140                see the wire-wrap connections.</p>
141       
142                <p class="small">Top: Complete PDP-8 system, <br/> center: console of the computer <br/> below: open computer, the right wing is extended. Here you can see the wire-wrap connections.<br><br>
143                The processor and the tape reader are on loan from the <a href="http://www.fitg.de"> "FITG"</a>, Frankfurt (Germany)</small>
144               
145                </div>
146         <!-- The <b>Classic PDP 8</b> from DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation, Massachusetts):
147         He is considered to be the world's first mass-produced "minicomputer" (1965). "Mini" is relative: Only too very
148         strong men can lift the computer. It is better to have four people to carry it!.
149         Without ICs or their ancestors the device is counted among the seccond-generation calculators.
150         <br/>You can also get a view from the "Flip-Chip"-card from the <a class="go" href="/en/devices/pdp-8-left-flank.php">left flank</a>
151         (<u>flank</u>). The core memory is set above (storage capacity 4kB).-->
152   
153   
154 
155  <h3 id="pdp8i">PDP-8I</h3>
156    <div class="box left">
157        <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp8i.jpg" alt="DEC PDP-8I" width="400" height="666" />
158        </div>
159        <div style="margin-left:400px; min-width: 450px;">
160                <div class="box center auto-bildbreite">
161                        <img style="float:none" src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/8i-pannel.jpg" width="400" height="292" alt="PDP 8i operator panel" />
162                        <p class="bildtext small">Left: The PDP-8i system with two-DECtapes TU 55, hight-speed paper tape reader/punch
163                                PC 04, 563 CALCOM plotter (top) and a TELETYPE (not shown). Above: the computer console</p>
164                </div>
165        </div>
166     
167          <p>In 1967 the first series 74xx TTL ICs (transistor-transistor logic) came on the market.
168             DEC was at the bleeding edge, releasing the 8i ("with <b>i</b>ntegrated circuits"). No one
169                 knew about the stability of the new ICs (later bugs). Therefore UNIVAC used the well established
170                 DTL technology even two years after. Fortunately, the TTL ICs proved to be as stable as the DTL
171                 series. Since the integration degree was much higher, less space has been needed for computers.
172                 <br>DEC's first calculator with integrated circuits was very expensive. The CPU on alone
173                 (in the picture: Left case, middle) cost US$ 27,000 without peripherals at that time.
174         <br>The main memory had a capacity of 8kB. While computing a "large" problem, it was possible to swap
175         programs or data to files on magnetic tape and read in afterward be reread. DEC developed
176         an intelligent operating system (OS/8) which worked very efficiently with such little memory.
177         It is very interesting to watch this computer working.</p>
178         <p>If you have not been in the presence of this computer, you should know that it is quite large.
179         With the plotter, it stands at a height of almost 7' (2m) and weighting at more than 600 lbs (300kg).</p>
180         <p>The peripherals consist of two TU-55 (tape drives), a PC-04 (high speed paper tape reader),
181         Calcomp 563 plotter (at the top) and of course a teletype (not pictured).
182        </p>
183
184                 
185        <h3 id="pdp8L">PDP-8L</h3>
186        <br>
187        <div class="box desc-left borderless">
188                <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-8L.jpg" width="400" height="360" alt="DEC PDP-8L" />
189                <p class="small">PDP-8L (build in 1968) with HSR Paper Tape Reader</p>
190        </div>
191        <div class="box clear-after">
192                <p>Many DEC customers did not need the high memory capacity or installable options.
193                Therefore DEC developed the stripped-down computer PDP 8L (<b>L</b>ow-cost) with
194                only a few pre-wired installed options in the lower price range.
195                The core memory had only 4kB capacity, it was extendable to 8kB with an external cabinet.
196                <br>Our PDP-8L has many extensions: HSR (High Speed) paper tape reader, TC01 Tape Control
197                with two drives TU55 and additional memory.
198                <br>DEC invented the interpreted programming language <b>FOCAL</b> (Formulating Online
199                Calculations in Algebraic Language), which allowed the user an interactive
200                programming environment (like a Unix shell). This language is similar to BASIC, but
201                slightly simpler. FOCAL required no operating system and ran smoothly with 4kB core
202                memory and lacking mass storage.
203        </div>
204 
205
206 <h3 id="pdp12">PDP-12, LAB-12</h3>
207 <div class="box left">
208      <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-12.jpg" width="400" height="485" alt="DEC LAB-12" />
209 </div>
210 <div class="box center" style="min-width: 840px;">
211          <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-12-konsole.jpg" width="400" height="256" alt="LAB-12 Bedienungspannel" />
212 </div>
213 
214                        <p>The PDP-12 was released in 1969. Just 755 units were sold worldwide. It was the last series that
215                        could operate in LINC-Mode (it could be switched to either LINC-8
216                        or PDP-8). This is a laboratory computer, equipped with AD and DA
217                        converter as standard. Such computers were usually kept up to date
218                        with hardware updates. The memory of this device was gradually
219                        increased from 8kB up to 32kB (DW 08E storage extension).
220                        <br>Besides the tape drives, the computer was also equipped with
221                        an 8-inch floppy drive. Afterwards they were removed again in
222                        favor of two removable disk drives. Finally they even tied the
223                        device to 10BASE-T ethernet, using a selfmade controller with an
224                        handwritten TCP/IP stack on a selfmade operating system.
225                        Thus this device can demonstrate the era from paper tapes up to
226                        today's storage standard.<br>
227                        Check out the console in a large scale:
228<a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/konsole,dunkel.jpg">PDP-12 console (dark picture)</a> 
229or: <a  class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/konsole,hell.jpg">PDP-12 console (ligh picture)</a>
230                        </p>
231               
232        <div class="desc-right borderless">
233      <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-12-innen.jpg" width="297" height="676" alt="DEC LAB-12-Flip-Chips" />
234          <p class="small">The picture on the left shows the PDP-12 inner life with all 462 Flip-Chip-Boards.</p>
235        </div>
236
237        <p>By having all the following options, our computer was very comfortable
238        (the number in parentheses indicates the number of neccessary boards):</p>
239
240        <dl>
241                <dt>AD12 [A-D-Control] (12 modules):
242                <dd>The AD12 includes 16 channels of input, 10bit output resolution and features
243                    up to 60kHz signals at 30dB down.
244               
245                <dt>DM12 [Data Break Multiplexer for KF12-B] (6 modules):
246                <dd>The DM12 provides the capability of operating up to three data break devices.
247                    The Data Break facility allows an I/O device to transfer information directly
248                        with the PDP-12 core memory on a cycle-stealing basis. This is particulary
249                        well suited for high-speed devices which transfer large amounts of information
250                        in block form. Peripheral I/O equipment  could reach a maximum transfer rate
251                        of 6,5 Mbit/sec.
252               
253                <dt>DP12A [TTY-Dataphone] (4 modules):
254                <dd>The DP12 options permit interfacing additional Teletypes and Modems. They are
255                    capable of accepting data asynchronously up to 100,000 baud. The units are
256                        designed for US-ASCII and meet the EIA-standard (RS232) requirements.
257               
258                <dt>DR12 [Relays and Control] (1 module):
259                <dd>The relay buffer is a six-bit register connected to six relays that are mounted
260                    on the data terminal panel. They can be used for controlling experiments or
261                        external equipment not otherwise directly interfaced with the PDP-12 Computer.
262                        The states of the relays can be examinede at any time via the register.
263               
264                <dt>KE12 [Extended Arithmetik Element] (14 modules):
265                <dd>The EAE enables the CP (the DEC operating system) to perform arithmetic
266                    operations at higher speed. The ALU is extended by asynchronous logic such as a
267                        12-bit Multiplier Quotient Register and a 5-bit Step Counter.  These components
268                        are used by auxillary CPU instructions (opcodes).
269                       
270                <dt>KF12 [Multi Level] (54 modules):
271                <dd>The Multi-Level Automatic Priority Interrupt is designed to reduce the CPU
272                    overhead during the servicing of program interrupts. Up to 15 levels of interrupts
273                        can be accomodated with each level having an unique vector address. The interrupts
274                        can be accepted from other options (CPU extensions) or from up to six external
275                        devices. Storing of priority and vectoring of interrupt service routines is
276                        performed with a Stack.
277                       
278                <dt>KT12 [Time-Sharing Option] (2 modules):
279                <dd>This module provides the additional logic circuits required for the PDP12 Time
280                    Sharing System. Having satisfied the minimum equipment, it perimts up to 16 users
281                        to operate their individual programs in an apperantly simultaneous manner. The
282                        system is controlled by a group of subprograms called "TSS/12 Monitor".
283                       
284                <dt>KW12-A [Real Time Clock] (19 modules):
285                <dd>The RTC can be used to generate Program Interrupts over a range of intervals of
286                    2.5us to 40.96s; detect external and internal events in order to count them,
287                        measure them against a time base, measure the interval between them, use them as
288                        time base standard or control sample times of A/D conversions. In our system
289                        this module was used to connect the german longwave time signal radio station
290                        DCF77 in order to recieve the atomic clock time from the German master clocks
291                        in Frankfurt.
292        </dl>
293       
294        <p>The computer is equipped with further cabinets which allow much more peripherals:</p>
295       
296        <div class="desc-right no-copyright borderless">
297       <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-12anwendung.jpg" width="400" height="366" alt="Typical PDP-12 in scientific environment" />
298           <p class="bildtext small">Typical picture in the 1970s: PDP-12 in the scientific domain. [Source: "digital products and applications, 1971"]</p>
299        </div>
300       
301        <dl>
302                <dt>AA50P [12 Bit DAC Controller]
303                <dd>Cabinet to upgrade the number of digital-analog converters (half filled in our setup)
304               
305                <dt>BA12 [Peripharal Expander]
306                <dd>Cabinet for peripheral extension, e.g. paper tape reader/puncher, PC05, card
307                    readers, etc.
308               
309                <dt>DW08A [I/O Bus Converter]
310                <dd>Cabinet to connect "negative bus system" units. The "negative logic level" was used
311                    at the time of germanium transistors (PNP), for example the DF32 disk drive with
312                        fixed heads.
313
314                <dt>DW08E [I/O Bus Converter]
315                <dd>This plug-in for the smaller PDP-8e converts the PDP-8, -8i and -12 bus to the
316                    OMNIBUS system from the PDP-8e. Thus all 8e interfaces could be connected, e.g. the
317                        RK8E interface (Digitl RK05) or Plessey PM DD/8 disk drives.
318               
319                <dt>BM812 [Memory Expansion Box]
320                <dd>Memory expansion box that is capable of expending either a PDP8i or PDP12
321                    from 8kB to 32kB with MM8e-stacks (like in the PDP-8e).
322        </dl>
323       
324        <div class="desc-left auto-bildbreite borderless" style="margin-bottom: 0;">
325      <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/talk-to-me.jpg" width="163" height="209" alt="Demo-12 Demoprogramm" />
326          <p class="bildtext small">So logs the PDP-12-demo program</p>
327        </div>
328       
329        <p>This system is fully developed. This was a common approach at that time: At first the
330           computer was purchased in the basic version which was barely affordable. Afterwards
331           more options were installed step-by-step. That way the enormous acquisition costs
332           were distributed over several years and the computer was always up to date.<br>
333           We have very good programs [Demo-12 running on DIAL], which shows with extreme illustrative the performance of the computer. This includes an on-screen analog clock with real-time display and the game
334"SPACE WAR". Some of will be soon available on our special page [in working].
335    </p>
336        <div class="cols" style="clear:left;">
337        <div class="leftcol">
338        <p class="small">(Google-translation!):We have a PDP-12 price list from the year 1973, a period in which the PDP-12 was already an outdated model. Our fully-equipped computer was a PDP-12 LDP (Laboratory Data Processor), here specifically a "clinical lab12", sold at a price of DM 206.700. Most of the options listed above were built in. (In 1973 3,50DM corresponds to 1$).<br>
339        This computer was equipped with 4kB Memory Core. So one needs in adition a "Memory Extension Control" for 16.600 DM and a 4kB Memory Module for 25.100 DM. The price for the unimposing Peripheral Expander BA12 was 5.400 DM (equivalent to a midsize car) and "High-Speed Paper Tape Reader/Punch" incredible 16.200 DM.</div>
340        <div class="rightcol">
341        <p class="small">
342
343        A Disk Cartridge Drive RK05 where sold for DM 21.200, where one needs in addition the "Positive I/O Bus to Omnibus Converter" DW8E (6750 DM). Similarly is the Converter DW08A and the Cabinet AA50 for additional D/A Controller. The 3 plugged D/A modules were calculated with 1.680 DM per unit.
344        The memory expansion to 32K does not appear on the list, but the price for this option was about 50.000 DM including the controller.<br>
345
346        In the sum it is a staggering number of 387.690 DM, which is today corresponding about 500,000 € or 600.000 $!</p>
347</small>
348</div>
349</div>
350<div class="clear">
351</div>
352
353         <h3 id="lab8e">Lab-8e, PDP-8e</h3>
354        <div class="box left">
355                <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/lab8e.jpg" width="400" height="461" alt="DEC LAB-8e" />
356        </div>
357        <div class="box center" style="min-width: 840px;">
358                <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-8e,pannel.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="PDP-8e operator panel" />
359        </div>
360    <div class="bildtext">
361            <p>The successor of the PDP-8i was the PDP-8e (1970). This computer came with an
362             internal bus system, so you could easily attach any peripherals using interface cards. This
363             feature made the "mini"-computer all-purpose. This computer type was offered with diverse
364             A/D- and D/A-converters and connection facilities as a laboratory computer for analogue
365             devices (shown in the picture). The peripherals are:</p>
366            <ul>
367                <li>VR 12 (oscilloscope display)</li>
368                <li>PC 04 (High speed paper tape reader/puncher)</li>
369                <li>3 x TU 56 (double tape drive)</li>
370                <li>A/D- and D/A-converter</li>
371            </ul>
372        </div>
373    <div class="box left clear-after">
374                <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/8e-module.jpg" alt="8e-Module" width="400" height="175"/>
375                <p>The picture on the left shows a board for own peripheral interfaces. In this unit,
376                   bus amplifiers, etc. are already mounted. You could install your own ICs in front of
377                   them and connect them with Wire-Wrap or soldered wires.
378                   On the right is a typical module with a lot of ICs. Both modules are only partially
379                   visible.
380                </p>
381    </div>
382       
383       
384 <h3 id="nova-en">Data General: NOVA 2</h3>
385   
386   <div class="box left">
387      <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/nova2.jpg" width="400" height="561" alt="Data General: NOVA 2" />
388<p>     Edson de Castro was responsible for product management at DEC and was intent
389on developing a 16-bit computer with a processor that would fit on a single
390printed circuit board. But Ken Olson, the founder of DEC, wasn't
391supportive. So de Castro left DEC in 1968 together with three other
392hardware engineers to found his own company in a vacant barber's shop:
393<b>Data General Corporation </b>(Massachusetts, USA).<br>
394
395Already in 1969 the first 16-bit computer in the <b>"NOVA" </b>series was ready
396for the market. Thanks to the simpler production method (no wire wrapping,
397only two boards + memory boards etc.) the basic version was quite inexpensive
398at $4000. However, this basic model alone wasn't really that useful, and
399after extending the computer the total price was substantially higher.
400The Nova computer was advertised as "the best small computer in the world".
401At this time, DEC was still building the PDP-8/I and the PDP-12, which
402required lots of very small flip-chip-modules. <br>
403
404The successor model (available in 1973), the<b> NOVA 2</b>, was simplified even
405further, and the increased chip density made it possible to have the whole
406processor together with the control logic for slow peripheral devices
407(teletype, paper tape puncher and reader) one single board. Our Nova is a
408NOVA 2/10 model with slots for 10 boards, and therefore enough space for
409quite a few device controllers and memory extensions.<br>
410
411
412From today's perspective, the rather huge boards (15x15 inch,
413nicknamed "circuit graveyards in baking tray size") do have disadvantages:
414any kind of repair is very difficult, because it is not possible to pin down
415a malfunction by exchanging small boards.<br>
416
417The NOVA shown in the picture is from a university. It is equipped with
418two harddisk drives, one twin floppy drive (8" disks!), one teletype,
419one high-speed paper tape punch reader and one punch card reader (not in
420the picture). Later on a terminal was added, which extended the computer
421to a comfortably usable system.</p>
422
423The details are better visible in a larger photo: <a  class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/nova-detail.jpg">NOVA 2 with terminal</a><br>
424
425          <p class="bildtext small">
426Hardware configuration, from top to bottom:<br>
427<dl>
428
429<dd>Paper tape punch reader (mostly used for testing programs included with
430  every delivered system)
431<dd>Twin disk drive for 8-inch floppy disks, Model 6032
432<dd>CPU with core memory, 32 KB, access time 0.8 us
433<dd>Two hard-disk drives with removable cartridges, Series 30. Capacity
434  1.200.000 16-bit words, or 2.4 MB.
435<dd>Disk Cartridge System 4047, necessary to connect the second disk
436<dd>Terminal "DASHER 1", Model 6052 by Data General, on the right hand side
437</dl></small>     
438 </div>
439 
440 
441    <h3 id="wang2200">WANG 2200 with bulky peripheral hardware</h3>
442    <p>Next, the first system that looks like today's computer is presented: <a class="go" href="/en/devices/wang2200.php">WANG 2200</a>, year of manufacture 1973. This computer, with so many peripheral devices, is probably unique in Germany. The peripherals: paper tape reader, punch card reader,  triple 8-inch disc drive, hard disc system with 38cm diameter disks (the device weights 100kg and cost 24000 DM, but only holdy 5MB), special BASIC-language keyboard, etc.</p>
443    <p>WANG quickly recognized that the future of computers needed screens. However the concurrent HP
444    computers had only a single-line LED display until 1975.</p>
445
446    <div class="box center">
447       <a href="/en/devices/wang2200.php" name="backlink-wang2200"><img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/wang2200.jpg" width="592" height="402" alt="Wang 2200" /></a>
448    </div>
449
450    <p>One of the first personal computer was also build by WANG: the PCS II (1975). The first PC that was affordable for everybody was the PET 2001 from Commodore. It came on the market in 1977 and was as cheap as today's PCs, but had 8kB and had decent applications. Many more home computers followed, the market got out of hand and therewith this collection of computers ends.</p>
451     
452    <p> See further details at <br>
453         <a class="go" href="/en/details2.php" title="Details 2"> the tabular overview of
454     mid range data processing equipment and proffessional early computers</a>.</p>
455
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