Hugo site: layouts, config and pilot content

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
2026-10-11 15:50:14 +02:00
commit cf3a03350c
1025 changed files with 7196 additions and 0 deletions
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 /public/
 /resources/_gen/
 .hugo_build.lock
 __pycache__/
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 OC ?= ../oc
 .PHONY: content build check serve
 content:       ## regenerate content/ and static/media/ from the extraction repo
 	python3 $(OC)/scripts/05_hugo.py --target $(CURDIR)
 build:         ## build the site into public/
 	rm -rf public
 	hugo --panicOnWarning --minify
 check: build   ## build, then verify every internal link and image
 	python3 tools/check_links.py public
 serve:         ## local preview on http://localhost:1313
 	hugo server
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
 # old-computers.com — static site
 Static rebuild of old-computers.com with [Hugo](https://gohugo.io/) (0.158 or newer, tested with
 0.167). The content is recovered from the Wayback Machine by the extraction repository
 (`../oc`), which generates part of this one.
 | Path | Origin |
 |---|---|
 | `content/{museum,machine-tabs,companies,software,history,magazine,fun}/` | generated, replaced on every `make content` |
 | `static/media/` | generated (copied images and documents) |
 | `data/slugs.json` | generated, keeps URLs stable between runs — do not delete |
 | `content/_index.md`, `layouts/`, `assets/`, `hugo.toml`, `tools/` | written by hand |
 | `public/` | build output, not versioned |
 ## Usage
    make content   # regenerate from ../oc (OC=path to use another location)
    make build     # build into public/
    make check     # build + verify every internal link and image
    make serve     # preview on http://localhost:1313
 The site uses relative URLs, so `public/` can be served from any directory of a web server.
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
 :root {
  --bg: #f6f3ea;
  --panel: #fffdf7;
  --text: #24221d;
  --muted: #6b665a;
  --line: #d9d2bf;
  --accent: #9a3412;
  --header: #2b2a26;
  --header-text: #f6f3ea;
 }
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  :root {
    --bg: #1b1a17;
    --panel: #24231f;
    --text: #e8e4d8;
    --muted: #a39d8d;
    --line: #3b3932;
    --accent: #f0a070;
    --header: #111110;
    --header-text: #e8e4d8;
  }
 }
 * { box-sizing: border-box; }
 body {
  margin: 0;
  background: var(--bg);
  color: var(--text);
  font: 16px/1.55 system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
 }
 a { color: var(--accent); }
 img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; }
 main, .site-footer { max-width: 1000px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 16px; }
 h1 { font-size: 1.7rem; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0.3em 0 0.6em; }
 h2 { font-size: 1.2rem; margin: 1.6em 0 0.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); padding-bottom: 4px; }
 small, .meta, .note, .crumbs { color: var(--muted); }
 .crumbs { font-size: 0.9rem; margin: 0; }
 .site-header {
  background: var(--header);
  color: var(--header-text);
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 8px 24px;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 10px 16px;
 }
 .site-header a { color: inherit; text-decoration: none; }
 .brand { font-family: ui-monospace, "Courier New", monospace; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 1px; }
 .brand span { opacity: 0.6; }
 .site-header nav { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 4px 16px; }
 .site-header nav a { opacity: 0.8; padding: 2px 0; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; }
 .site-header nav a:hover, .site-header nav a.active { opacity: 1; border-color: var(--accent); }
 .site-footer { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.85rem; border-top: 1px solid var(--line); margin-top: 32px; }
 .content { overflow-wrap: anywhere; }
 .content table { max-width: 100%; }
 .logo { max-height: 48px; width: auto; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 12px; background: #fff; padding: 2px; }
 .main-image { float: right; max-width: 45%; margin: 0 0 12px 16px; }
@media (max-width: 600px) { .main-image { float: none; max-width: 100%; margin: 0 0 12px; display: block; } }
 .tabs { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 4px; margin: 0 0 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); }
 .tabs a {
  padding: 6px 12px;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--text);
  border: 1px solid transparent;
  border-bottom: 0;
  border-radius: 4px 4px 0 0;
 }
 .tabs a:hover { background: var(--panel); }
 .tabs a.active { background: var(--panel); border-color: var(--line); font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: -1px; }
 table { border-collapse: collapse; }
 .specs, .list { width: 100%; clear: both; margin: 16px 0; background: var(--panel); }
 .specs th, .specs td, .list td { padding: 6px 10px; border: 1px solid var(--line); text-align: left; vertical-align: top; }
 .specs th { width: 30%; font-size: 0.8rem; letter-spacing: 0.5px; color: var(--muted); }
 .list { table-layout: fixed; }
 .list td:first-child { width: 45%; }
 .list td:nth-child(2) { width: 12%; }
 .list td:nth-child(4) { width: 15%; }
 .list { font-size: 0.95rem; }
@media (max-width: 600px) { .list td:nth-child(4) { display: none; } }
 .gallery { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(260px, 1fr)); gap: 16px; }
 .gallery figure, .thumbs a, .card, .comments li {
  margin: 0;
  background: var(--panel);
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 4px;
  padding: 10px;
 }
 .gallery img { display: block; margin: 0 auto 8px; }
 .gallery figcaption strong, .gallery figcaption em { display: block; }
 .gallery figcaption div { font-size: 0.9rem; margin-top: 6px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; }
 .thumbs, .cards { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(150px, 1fr)); gap: 12px; }
 .thumbs a, .card { text-decoration: none; color: var(--text); display: block; }
 .thumbs img { display: block; width: 100%; height: 120px; object-fit: cover; margin-bottom: 6px; }
 .thumbs span, .card span { font-size: 0.85rem; color: var(--muted); display: block; }
 .card strong { display: block; color: var(--accent); }
 .browse, .letters { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 6px 14px; padding: 0; list-style: none; }
 .columns { columns: 220px; padding-left: 18px; }
 .links { padding-left: 18px; }
 .entries dt { font-weight: 600; margin-top: 12px; }
 .entries dd { margin: 2px 0 0; }
 .timeline { list-style: none; padding: 0; }
 .timeline li { padding: 6px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 4px 12px; }
 .timeline time { min-width: 130px; color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.85rem; text-transform: uppercase; }
 .comments { list-style: none; padding: 0; }
 .comments li { margin-bottom: 12px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; }
 .comments .meta { margin: 0 0 6px; font-size: 0.9rem; }
 .prev-next { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; gap: 16px; margin-top: 24px; }
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Old-Computers.com
 ---
 Old-Computers.com was an online museum of home computers, video game consoles and pong
 systems. The original site went offline after being defaced. This is a static rebuild of its
 content, recovered from the [Internet Archive Wayback Machine](https://web.archive.org/web/2023/http://www.old-computers.com/).
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
 {
 "title": "Companies"
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
 {
 "title": "Apple",
 "params": {
  "logo": "/media/museum/logos/apple_logo.gif",
  "machines": [
   "/museum/apple-ii"
  ],
  "oc_id": 8,
  "source": null
 }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
 {
 "title": "Commodore",
 "params": {
  "logo": "/media/museum/logos/commodore_logo.gif",
  "machines": [
   "/museum/commodore-c64"
  ],
  "oc_id": 26,
  "source": null
 }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
 {
 "title": "Kaypro",
 "params": {
  "logo": "/media/museum/logos/kaypro_logo.gif",
  "machines": [
   "/museum/kaypro-pc-286i"
  ],
  "oc_id": 92,
  "source": null
 }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
 {
 "title": "MAGNAVOX",
 "params": {
  "machines": [
   "/museum/magnavox-odyssey",
   "/museum/magnavox-odyssey-100"
  ],
  "oc_id": 246,
  "source": null
 }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
 {
 "title": "NEC",
 "params": {
  "logo": "/media/museum/logos/nec_logo.gif",
  "machines": [
   "/museum/nec-pc-6601"
  ],
  "oc_id": 90,
  "source": null
 }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
 {
 "title": "Fun"
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "A HANDLE FOR THE PET",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_poignee-pet.gif",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 42,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20050227123834/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=42",
   "date": "2005-02-27"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_poignee-pet.gif"/></p><p> A french guy invented a handle for its Commodore PET computer. He used the electric cord of his washing machine...</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "ANOREXIC BILLOU",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_billou_anorexic.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 20,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20090827141722/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=20",
   "date": "2009-08-27"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_billou_anorexic.jpg"/></p><p> At the begining of the 80's, Billou and Kayes Nishi give birth to the MSX standard. <br/><br/> They are getting very well together even if Bill suffers from anorexy at that time...</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "APPLEMANIA",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_applemania.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 11,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032010/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=11",
   "date": "2020-11-09"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_applemania.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "AS FAST AS A QUICK DISK DRIVE...",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_thomson_qdd.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 19,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220930085821/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=19",
   "date": "2022-09-30"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_thomson_qdd.jpg"/></p><p> Thomson presents its new drive extension, the QDD (Quick Disk Drive). It's a kind of mixture between a disk drive and a tape-recorder. <br/><br/> Conclusion : 38kb in 46 secondes, wooaaa, very impressive indeed ! Even back then, it was bad. The young middle-class man, who owns a superb watch matched with its shirt, has chosen to keep is helmet on in case the beast would explode. Wise decision...</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "Asteroids rulez !",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_asteroids_rule.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1010,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20211026024948/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=10",
   "date": "2021-10-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_asteroids_rule.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "ASTEROIDS RULEZ !",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_asteroids_rule.gif",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 6,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20041009200335/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=6",
   "date": "2004-10-09"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_asteroids_rule.gif"/></p><p> This week, a real cool picture ! While the girl (but is it really a woman ?) try to understand how to play Asteroids, her ridiculous mate attempts to **** her. Impressive !</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "ATARI AEROBICS",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_atari_aerobic.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 23,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20050510154805/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=23",
   "date": "2005-05-10"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_atari_aerobic.jpg"/></p><p> Atari tries to convince women to buy their computers... <br/><br/> Crap! To reach their goal they communicate on a very fashionable subject of that time, the aerobics of course ! <br/><br/> We'll notice some funny details : <br/><br/> To knidle us, she left her bra on the wall (left to the aerial). <br/><br/> Once more, they take the piss out of us : only one cable to power up the computer, connect the TV and the disk-drive... they go too far ! <br/><br/> Apparently, she just put her left foot into the disk-drive. It is all tense, her hair is all tousled and she's got black eyes. It's clear that she just had a painfull experience... <br/><br/> In conclusion, I'll say that her pants are falling off.</p>
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 {
 "title": "ATARI PROMOTIONAL CLOTHES",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_atari_promo_1.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 47,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220510163517/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=47",
   "date": "2022-05-10"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_atari_promo_1.jpg"/></p><p> Extract from the text: <br/><br/> "SHIMMEL. This half t-shirt, or shimmel, is a popular item. Super comfortable for exercise, it provides the wearer completely unrestricted movement. The Atari shimmel is made from a poly/cotton blend and is a must for any real video athlete."</p>
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 {
 "title": "ATARI - THEY LAUGHED...",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_atari_great_laugh.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 43,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20050227123205/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=43",
   "date": "2005-02-27"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_atari_great_laugh.jpg"/></p><p>- Thanks to Olivier Jourdanet for this scan! -</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "Atari TT 030",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_tt.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1006,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210805150224/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=6",
   "date": "2021-08-05"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_tt.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "Atari VCS-2600 / bike model",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_aerobic_bike.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1017,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20211026031148/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=17",
   "date": "2021-10-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_aerobic_bike.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "BARBIE AND KEN PLAY THE INTELLIVISION",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_barbie_and_ken.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 15,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20191023073003/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=15",
   "date": "2019-10-23"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_barbie_and_ken.jpg"/></p><p> Yes, you are not dreaming !! Barbie and Ken are relaxing playing Intellivision. This is a scoop and it's amazing ! <br/><br/> Look carefully at the controllers, they are white and gold but are very similar to the Intellivision ones : disc, lateral fire buttons and numeric keypad. <br/><br/> The console is bigger but gold and "wood-grained" ! But the best detail is the game they're playing. If you look carefully at the screen, you can see the game : it is Star Strike ! <br/><br/> In fact, it's normal that Barbie and Ken have fun with the Intellivision, they have the same boss : Mattel !!</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "Commodore 64",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_c64.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1004,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210805150209/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=4",
   "date": "2021-08-05"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_c64.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "Computer History",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/ecard_computer-history.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1019,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210805150158/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=19",
   "date": "2021-08-05"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/ecard_computer-history.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "COMPUTER SCIENTIST WANTED !",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_wanted.gif",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 12,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20070510105554/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=12",
   "date": "2007-05-10"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_wanted.gif"/></p><p> "Becomes the one that the companies look for !" <br/><br/> This was how a french advert from the 80's praised the qualities of a computing school. Impressive...</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "DAI PORTABLE SYSTEM",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_dai-tallar.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 32,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20070525112926/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=32",
   "date": "2007-05-25"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_dai-tallar.jpg"/></p><p> This proud man carrying is mighty portable computer is Alain Tailliar, chief editor of TeleSoft, an early french computer magazine from the 80's. He is handsome, strong, proud and he looks far in front of him into the future... But there is a strong contrast between the visionary concept behind the picture and the fact that walking in the street with a DAI computer under the arm is not cool at all !</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "DO I REALLY LOOK THAT STUPID ?",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_vic20_youngster.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 21,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20050426065854/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=21",
   "date": "2005-04-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_vic20_youngster.jpg"/></p><p> I looks like they used a brainless kid for this picture... He's got an idiot smile and he's staring at something straight ahead, far away outside the picture... In fact he doesn't care at all about what's going on the screen. <br/><br/> He has his hands on the keyboard (looks like someone just placed his hands there), but the running program apparently doesn't need any interaction from the user (it's a demo tape). <br/><br/> Last, but not least, his head seems out of proportion with his body... no ?</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "DUMB TERMINAL",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_dumb-terminal.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 56,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220703053232/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=56",
   "date": "2022-07-03"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_dumb-terminal.jpg"/></p><p> Which one is dumb ?</p><p>- Thanks to Orion Young for this scan -</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "FRENCH PONG ADVERT",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_french-pong.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 46,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20100220023028/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=46",
   "date": "2010-02-20"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_french-pong.jpg"/></p><p> En France aussi, on sait s'amuser!</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "GERMAN COUPLE IN BED",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/500x_nerdzeugung.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 58,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210802163321/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=58",
   "date": "2021-08-02"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/500x_nerdzeugung.jpg"/></p><p> Ahhh, the pleasures of the 80's. In bed with your beautiful German wife and your sexy C64 toy. What a night to remember...</p><p>- taken from Gizmodo -</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "HAPPY LAWYERS",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_tandy-trs80m3_avocats.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 34,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20030118082346/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=34",
   "date": "2003-01-18"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_tandy-trs80m3_avocats.jpg"/></p><p> Thanks to their brand new Tandy TRS-80 Model III computer, these three lawyers stopped losing 3000 Euros worth of fees ! Indeed, the advert explains that when they were calculating the fees themselves they found 30000 FF, whereas the computer calculated 50000 FF ! As a result, they sacked their secretary and bought a TRS-80... <br/><br/> Notice the (very) old books in the background. It is well known that good lawyers never use modern books...</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "HEARTLESS COMPAQ",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_compaq_deskpro_pub_impitoyable.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 53,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220426125849/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=53",
   "date": "2022-04-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_compaq_deskpro_pub_impitoyable.jpg"/></p><p> "Compaq Deskpro. The heartless computer" <br/><br/> This is a reference to the famous TV serie of the time: Dallas. The french song sang : "Dallas, your heartless universe...". Compaq tried to take advantage of the winning America image given by the serie. <br/><br/> Bottom of page reads : "Compaq. The computer which thrills America"</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "HEATHKIT HAPPYNESS",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_heathkit_1.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 50,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220510163534/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=50",
   "date": "2022-05-10"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_heathkit_1.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "Hewlett Packard HP 120",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_hp.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1005,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210805150207/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=5",
   "date": "2021-08-05"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_hp.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "I JUST COME BACK FROM JOGGING",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_ti99_advert1.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 29,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20050302192925/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=29",
   "date": "2005-03-02"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_ti99_advert1.jpg"/></p><p> Isn't this a stupid scan ?! <br/><br/> This is a 1983 advertisement for the Texas-Instrument TI-99 4/A. <br/><br/> The poor guy is ridiculous and his position is just worse. I even wonder if he hasn't got a wig... I don't even talk about his headband, this is the icing on the cake ! And aboveall, by looking at his face, it seems like he doesn't undestand what's going on the screen. <br/><br/> Let's talk about the kid : his little pink jacket is soooo cool, and his yellow shirt is buttoned right up to the neck. <br/><br/> It's a good job that he's pressing the FCTN key, otherwise the program couldn't work... <br/><br/> Once again, they think we are idiots, since there are no cables going out of the computer. <br/> Last thing : the melody on screen is crap (rising scale).</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "IBM PC",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_ibm.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1003,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210805150204/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=3",
   "date": "2021-08-05"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_ibm.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "INDIAN COMPUTER SHOP",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_good-guys-wear-white.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 55,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220418105736/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=55",
   "date": "2022-04-18"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_good-guys-wear-white.jpg"/></p><p>- Thanks to Orion Young for this scan -</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
 {
 "title": "Jonathan & Stanislas",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 25,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20020325114909/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=25",
   "date": "2002-03-25"
  }
 }
 }
 <p></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "Jonhatan and Stanlislas",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_jonathan_stanislas.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1011,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20211026013543/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=11",
   "date": "2021-10-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_jonathan_stanislas.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "LEAVE ME SOME ROOM!",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_moustachu_1.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 37,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20030504131603/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=37",
   "date": "2003-05-04"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_moustachu_1.jpg"/></p><p> This man is leaving no room to the woman on the desk... After all she is only working with a pen and a paper, whereas this guy has a brand new computer! Was the communication message "computers are too complicated for women" ?!</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "MR POCKET",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_mr-illel.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 35,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230111193111/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=35",
   "date": "2023-01-11"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_mr-illel.jpg"/></p><p> This guy smoked too many memory sticks !</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "NES BOX",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_nesbox.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 38,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210414045000/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=38",
   "date": "2021-04-14"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_nesbox.jpg"/></p><p> This picture was scanned from the NES box. <br/><br/> It would seem that they felt it necessary to take the controller cables, run them behind the NES and television, under the table and then up to the boys so as not to have any messy cables showing. <br/><br/> I don't see how anyone would want to hold the controllers like that when they are playing. They must have no clue what they are doing. The way they have their hands cupped on the game pads, it would be an awkward reach to press the A and B buttons. Of course, then there's the fact that the kid in the blue shirt probably has the worst view of the screen of the bunch and he's supposed to be a player.</p><p>- Thanks to Matthew S. Carpenter for this stupid scan -</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "ODYSSEY 1 FRENCH ADVERT",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_odyssey1_advert.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 18,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20020829205757/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=18",
   "date": "2002-08-29"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_odyssey1_advert.jpg"/></p><p> Here is the french advert for the first video-game system, conceived by Magnavox. Read carefully every line of text (if you read french), it's very funny and it helps to imagine how this new technology was seen at that time. <br/><br/> Please note the little jerk pointing the TV at his parents just in case they hadn't noticed it yet...</p><p>- Thanks to David Winter for this picture -</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM artwork",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/ecard_misc_old-computers.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1018,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220715131109/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=18",
   "date": "2022-07-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/ecard_misc_old-computers.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "PORTABLE OSBORNE 1",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_osborne1-woman.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 45,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20061106151504/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=45",
   "date": "2006-11-06"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_osborne1-woman.jpg"/></p><p> When you know that an Osborne 1 weights more than 10 Kg, this woman just ruined her shoulder... or the case is empty!</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "PRODIGY : YOUNG AND BRILLIANT",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_prodigy_1.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 49,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220524220137/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=49",
   "date": "2022-05-24"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_prodigy_1.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "RE-INTRODUCING SPECTRUM GAMES... ON AMSTRAD PHONES !",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_amstrad-phone.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 51,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220703061014/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=51",
   "date": "2022-07-03"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_amstrad-phone.jpg"/></p><p> "A home phone that allows you play games may seem unbelievable to most – but not to Amstrad. We have incorporated the ability to download and play great Sinclair ZX Spectrum games on to the e-mailerplus, allowing the user to choose and play classic games from its extensive library. You simply choose the game you wish to play from the games menu and download it to your machine. Each game is downloaded separately and is stored in your e-mailerplus for a fixed time period*. Several games can be stored at any one time, allowing you to swap between your favourite games at the touch of a button. With its large screen and easy-to-use keyboard, you really can have hours of fun. <br/><br/> And with a large library of games to choose from (and new ones being added regularly), you need never be bored on the phone again. You can even play a game while a phone call is in progress!"</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "Sharp MZ 80K",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_mz.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1007,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210805150211/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=7",
   "date": "2021-08-05"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_mz.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "SOMETHING'S WRONG",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_portable.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 40,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20031023125016/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=40",
   "date": "2003-10-23"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_portable.jpg"/></p><p>- Thanks to <a href="http://www.ricaner.com">WWW.RICANER.COM</a> for this picture -</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "THE BETTER ALTERNATIVE",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_sweden-commodore.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 44,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20061106151134/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=44",
   "date": "2006-11-06"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_sweden-commodore.jpg"/></p><p> This is an old swedish advert from Commodore, trying to convince parents that sitting in front of computers is something good for their children. <br/><br/> The text, translated to english, reads<br/> Top picture:<br/> - Where have you been?<br/> - Out!<br/> - What have you done?<br/> - Nothing!<br/><br/> Botton picture:<br/> - The better alternative! </p><p>- Thanks to Mattias Östergren for this scan -</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "THE KITCHEN COMPUTER",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_honeywell-cook_1.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 48,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220426125847/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=48",
   "date": "2022-04-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_honeywell-cook_1.jpg"/></p><p> And now something for the ladies. This odd-looking and almost laughable computer was released in 1965 by Honeywell under the official name H316 Pedestal Model, but was featured on the cover of a Nieman-Marcus catalog under its more commonly-known name, the "Kitchen Computer". <br/><br/> The Kitchen Computer is most likely where the classic recipe storage cliché originated, as this was the primary use advertised for the Kitchen Computer. In fact, storing recipes was about all the Kitchen Computer was capable of doing. The recipes were programmed into the computer and it would store them for you. In other words, it was an electronic recipe storage box, nothing more. <br/><br/> When one thinks of computer hardware, they often think of a monitor or a keyboard or a printer. Well, the Kitchen Computer has perhaps the oddest piece of "hardware" we have ever heard of -- a cutting board. Yes, a cutting board! This oddity was most likely added so the food could be prepared right there without having to walk away from the recipe display, considering the Kitchen Computer isn't as portable as a good old-fashioned cookbook (It weighed a staggering 150 pounds). <br/><br/> The Kitchen Computer was obviously geared towards housewives who loved to cook. However any housewives who wanted one of these had to shell out A LOT of green, considering the Kitchen Computer sold for $10,600 when it was first introduced (You could buy about four new cars for that much money in 1965!). This price tag included the built-in recipes, and also included a cookbook and an apron !!</p><p>- Thanks to Torin Darkflight for picture &amp; info -</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "THE RESULT WAS 2 !",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_result-was-2.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 54,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220426125848/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=54",
   "date": "2022-04-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_result-was-2.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "The Silver VIC owned by a mime !",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/commodore_vic20_silvervic_stupid.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 30,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20020225190729/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=30",
   "date": "2002-02-25"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/commodore_vic20_silvervic_stupid.jpg"/></p><p> Incredible ! The Silver VIC commemorating the 2 million<sup>th</sup> VIC-20 sold worldwide, was owned by a mime !! </p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "THE SUCCESS ACCORDING TO APPLE",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_apple-reussite_1.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 33,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20020427164253/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=33",
   "date": "2002-04-27"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_apple-reussite_1.jpg"/></p><p> This man represents the success according to Apple. Thanks to its brand new Apple II computer, this young executive can now visualize his profits (see how the graph is rising!) on a tiny monochrome monitor and print them on an even smaller printer... <br/><br/> But there are other success symbols on this picture : a clean office for his own, high enough in the building (because the higher you are the more powerful you are!) and surrounded by modern high towers and buildings. <br/><br/> Let's face it : Apple uses all the symbols of the typical american success to sell its computers to the rest of the world... and it worked!</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "THOMSON, YOU MAKE ME MICRO",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_thomson_mo5_tu-me-rends-micro_1.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 52,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220426125846/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=52",
   "date": "2022-04-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_thomson_mo5_tu-me-rends-micro_1.jpg"/></p><p> Yeah... you make me micro enough to try to fly with a MO5 on my back.<br/> The guy on the picture died 5 minutes later after a 2000 feet fall...</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "TI-99 4/A advert",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_ti99_advert1.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1012,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20211026024144/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=12",
   "date": "2021-10-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_ti99_advert1.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "TO CHIE BAS",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_toshiba_hx_10.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 7,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20030730143617/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=7",
   "date": "2003-07-30"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_toshiba_hx_10.jpg"/></p><p> Aren't these Japs ridiculous ? Sincerely I find their clothes super kewls, I want one like these... <br/><br/>This is a japonese advert from the 80's for the Toshiba MSX HX-10. I can't tell you what's written, but it looks good since they seem quite happy with it ! As usual with this kind of advert, they try to make us think that a computer doesn't need any cable to work...</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "Toshiba HX-10 advert",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_toshiba_hx_10.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1013,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20211026033245/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=13",
   "date": "2021-10-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_toshiba_hx_10.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
 {
 "title": "VCS-2600 bike",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 24,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20010830081937/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=24",
   "date": "2001-08-30"
  }
 }
 }
 <p></p><p> Believe it or not, this thing really existed ! You must pedal fast enough to keep the control of the joystick...Crazy ! <br/><br/> I doubt they sold many of this one, as the kids didn't give a fuck about pedaling, and "pedaling people" didn't give a fuck about playing video-games... </p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "VIC-20 promotional picture",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_vic20_youngster.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1014,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20211026023159/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=14",
   "date": "2021-10-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_vic20_youngster.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
 {
 "title": "Videopac family life",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 26,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20010830083056/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=26",
   "date": "2001-08-30"
  }
 }
 }
 <p></p><p> Today a beautiful family scene around a Philips Videopac G7000 system. <br/><br/> First indication : the family is happy, especially the mother who surely drank too much whisky, though she hasn't got any glass. On top of that, she seems to know video-games, looking at how she handles her joy stick... <br/><br/> The big brother, with his cool Mickey sweat-shirt, tries to understand what's going on the screen, whereas nobody cares. <br/><br/> The father, with its amazing bee jumper, tries to cheat by moving discreetly his token. <br/><br/> The little daughter is chasing flies or she's just a bit...idiot. <br/><br/> And, finally, the young brother, who have a slap head, reads a porno magazine ! No, I'm just jocking... <br/><br/> Second indication : it's a rich a meticulous family since they have plenty of Videopac cartridges, all well stored on the shelf and slightly tilted, enough so we can see them perfectly on the picture. <br/><br/> Last indication : the straw is very fashionable in the 80's. It's not the first time that it's used in computing adverts. </p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "Videopac family",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_videopac_family.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1015,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20211026032456/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=15",
   "date": "2021-10-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_videopac_family.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "WELCOME TO SOMEDAY",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_welcometosomeday.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 39,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20080313005154/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=39",
   "date": "2008-03-13"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_welcometosomeday.jpg"/></p><p> This advert for Compuserve is dated 1982. Read the text... If it wasn't for the clothes &amp; design, one could think it is a modern advert for Internet! Impressive.</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "WHAT IF ?",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_whatif.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 41,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20050227123930/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=41",
   "date": "2005-02-27"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_whatif.jpg"/></p><p> What if my computer was really empty?! <br/><br/> This is a Visicalc advert dated from 1982.</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "WHO'S KEEPING UP WITH COMMODORE ?",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_commodore-executive-64.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 31,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040705/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=31",
   "date": "2020-11-09"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_commodore-executive-64.jpg"/></p><p> This guy has so much power in his hands that he has attracted two girls (so far) in his swimming-pool ! <br/><br/> Notice the classical symbol of the 80s adverts : the glass of orange juice with a straw...</p><p>- Thanks to <b>Per Ericsson</b> for the picture. -</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "WOMEN LIKE FROGS !",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_intv_women.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 4,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20040423084924/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=4",
   "date": "2004-04-23"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_intv_women.jpg"/></p><p> This is rare, two girls playing with a console, without a man nearby to explain them or to yell at them... They're playing with the well known frog game where you have to catch flies...a girly game in fact. <br/><br/> On the table there are 4 glasses for 3 persons, including 2 orange juices et 2 grape juices, quite weird ! What message the photograph wanted to tell us ? Surely something very important, because something else is strange : there is no cable between the Intellivision and the TV, but I don't know of any infra-red Intellivision... I think there's a real mystery behind this picture, something quite esoteric...</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
 {
 "title": "Yannick Noah Tennis",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 28,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20020225185526/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=28",
   "date": "2002-02-25"
  }
 }
 }
 <p></p><p> Yannick Noah was a great french tennis player from the 80's, for those who didn't know... <br/><br/> This is an advert from 83 for the Home Arcade Advision, an Arcadia 2001 clone. You can't see clearly, but the cart label is completely fake. The real cartridge was surely not yet available when they took the picture... <br/><br/> The game itself is "Grand Slam Tennis", a well known game for the Arcadia. But in France, they called it the Yannick Noah Tennis, as he was in all its glory at this time ! Note that the screenshot is also completely fake. <br/><br/> Yannick is doing is most beautiful smile and the light from below, normaly reserved for scary movies, doesn't help to make him more attractive. Hopefuly, he's wearing a "Coq Sportif" shirt, jewel of the french textile industry. <br/><br/> Don't ask me who is the kid, it's just a blonde head, to sound "younger". </p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "ZX-81 advert",
 "collections": [
  "E-cards"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/ecards/stamp_zx81_fake.jpg",
  "group": "E-cards",
  "oc_id": 1016,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20211026022223/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/v_ecards.asp?c=16",
   "date": "2021-10-26"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/ecards/stamp_zx81_fake.jpg"/></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "ZX-81 HIGH TECHNOLOGY",
 "collections": [
  "Stupid scans"
 ],
 "params": {
  "image": "/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_zx81_fake.jpg",
  "group": "Stupid scans",
  "oc_id": 27,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20071010103722/http://www.old-computers.com/fun/default.asp?s=27",
   "date": "2007-10-10"
  }
 }
 }
 <p><img src="/media/fun/stupid_scans/stupid_zx81_fake.jpg"/></p><p> Today it's a ZX-81 add from 83 <br/><br/> By looking closely you can notice that the program is directly drawn on the picture ! Of course the code is full of nonsense and mistakes. <br/><br/> The guy looks quite astonished by what he's seeing or maybe by its ZX-81 amazing extensions...</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "14 COMPUTERLAND STORES ALREADY OPENED",
 "date": "1977-08-01",
 "years": [
  "1977"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Companies"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "AUGUST 1977",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_0877_computerland_1.jpg",
  "oc_id": 25,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210205161641/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=25",
   "date": "2021-02-05"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0877_computerland_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>The fate of Computerland is the fate of its leader <b>William Millard</b>. He is president of the <b>IMSAI</b> company in 1976 and sells ready to order computer kits based on the Intel 8080 microprocessor by mail. Sales are good and Millard wants to move beyond kits and sell a pre-assembled computer for better profits. To help sales, he decides to create chain stores specialized in computer sales and mostly IMSAI 8080's. <br/><br/> In February of 1977, the first <b>Computer Shack</b> store opens in Morristown, New Jersey and in March the first advert appears. <br/><br/> After litigation from Radio Shack, the chain is renamed <b>ComputerLand</b>. In August 1977, 14 stores are opened, 23 in November and several hundreds eventually open worldwide in the following years. <br/><br/> Unfortunately, Millard then makes the same mistake as Adam Osborne: he announces a new version of the IMSAI computer before it is ready at all. Customers massively return their IMSAI, sales collapse and ComputerLand is almost bankrupt. <br/><br/> Fortunately, Apple at the time is seeking distributors to increase sales of its Apple II. Success follows suit for ComputerLand as it will again for IBM's PC's eventually. Profits will rise each year and reach one billion dollars in 1984. <br/><br/> After that extraordinary year, trouble comes, resellers rebel and create an association to defend their interests, and several employees sue Millard for broken promises. The spirit of the company gone, Millard sells ComputerLand for 200 million dollars and leaves for good to an island in the Pacific Ocean. ComputerLand still exists as a company, and nowadays has about 200 resellers in the US. <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0877_computerland_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
 {
 "title": "4164",
 "date": "1978-10-01",
 "years": [
  "1978"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "OCTOBER 1978",
  "oc_id": 43,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=43",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0978_4164_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/><p> The 4164 was quite a mythical memory chip. It contained 65535 bits of RAM memory, four times more than its predecessor, the 4116. Eight chips were thus needed to obtain 64 Kbytes of RAM. After a short period of low sales level, the famous 8 x 4164 RAM chips equipped quite every computer which featured at least 64 KB of RAM. <br/>&gt;br&gt; Texas Instruments launched the first samples of its TMS-4164 in late October 1978 at about... $170 per unit! However T.I. was not the first company to produce such chip. Japanese companies already manufactured the same chip for a few months, and the battle for international supremacy over RAM chips and computer components started with the 4164. <br/>&gt;br&gt; First, sales of the chip were modest. About 36.000 were sold worldwide in 1978-79 but they rocketed to some 13 million units in 1980-81. The Japanese captured 70 percent of the market. Sale price went from over $100 to $25 then $5, and remained the same throughout the following years. <br/><br/></p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0978_4164_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
 {
 "title": "History"
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "ABC-80",
 "date": "1978-08-01",
 "years": [
  "1978"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "AUGUST 1978",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_0878_abc80_1.jpg",
  "oc_id": 39,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210803234631/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=39",
   "date": "2021-08-03"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0878_abc80_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/><p> In August 1978, first units of the "Advanced Basic Computer for the 1980s", in short <b>ABC-80</b> left the Swedish Luxor factory. <br/><br/> A few months earlier, Luxor contracted with two other companies, <b>Scandia Metric</b> and <b>Data Industrier AB</b> (DIAB), to build the first totally Swedish computer. Scandia Metrics which had previous experience of computer based products designed the main board, DIAB manufactured the chips, while Luxor, one of the biggest TV set manufacturers, built the monitor, case and keyboard and assembled the whole system in its assembly plant of Motala (Sweden, at the northeast shore of Swedens second largest sea, Vättern). <br/><br/> Despite the fact that the technology behind the ABC 80 was very simple and technical features wasn't better than US competitors, the ABC80 was a quality machine and became a great success among early Swedish computer enthusiasts, who had been waiting for a long time a real local computer. More than 10.000 computers were sold within two years. For six years, the ABC80 and then its sequel the <b>ABC800</b>, were by far the most sold and used personal computers in Sweden, for home, hobby, and especially education. <br/><br/> In 1984, the <b>ABC1600</b> and <b>ABC9000</b>, two Unix systems, were launched with the slogan "Who needs to be IBM compatible?"... They were the last Luxor computers produced. <br/><br/></p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0878_abc80_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "ADA BIRTH",
 "date": "1977-12-01",
 "years": [
  "1977"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Software"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "DECEMBER 1977",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_1277_ada_1.jpg",
  "oc_id": 12,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134358/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=12",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_1277_ada_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>In December 1977, the revised language specification of <b>ADA</b> was published in SIGPLAN, the Special Interest Group on Programming Languages. Actually, this is a small event within the long history of ADA birth. <br/><br/> In 1973, the US Department of Defense (DoD) was spending $3 billion annually on software. At this time, more than 450 programming languages were used to implement different DoD projects, and none of them were standardized. For these reasons, the Army, Navy, and Air Force proposed to develop a common and standardized high-level language for use in the development of large military systems. <br/><br/> In 1975, the Higher Order Language Working Group (HOLWG) was formed for evaluating existing language and think about an ideal language specification. 23 languages were tested, but none of them were accepted. The first ADA language specification appeared in early 1977 and four software companies began parallel production of a prototype language. <br/><br/> In may 1979 the French CIE <b>CII Honeywell/Bull</b> (the only foreign contractor) won the challenge and the language design was tested by thousands of programmers in the world who reported bugs and wishes. Based on these informations, the final version of ADA was born in early 1980. The language was then standardized in 1983, and revised in 1995. <br/><br/> The language was first named "DoD-1", but the name ADA was finally retained in 1979 by the Working Group in honour of Countess <b>Augusta Ada Lovelace</b>, the daughter of poet Lord Byron and a mathematician who worked with Charles Babbage on his engines and thus is considered the world's first computer programmer. <br/><br/></p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_1277_adaariane.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "ADVENTURELAND",
 "date": "1978-03-01",
 "years": [
  "1978"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Software"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "MARCH 1978",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_0378_adventureland_1.jpg",
  "oc_id": 7,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=7",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0378_adventureland_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>Nowadays, everybody has heard of or has played adventure games, a style of game that puts the player in an environment and then allows him to manipulate objects to accomplish an objective. <br/><br/> In 1978, noboby played adventure game, except some DEC owners who could enjoy the first adventure game written by two college students and called <b>Colossal Caves Adventure</b>.<br/> In 1978 <b>Scott Adams</b> had the opportunity to play this game and he was fascinated by the concept. He wrote his first adventure game <b>Adventureland</b> in the same year for the Radio Shack TRS-80 model 1 and was thus the first person to put an Adventure game on a personal computer and sell a computer game (for $14.95). He is credited with starting the computer game industry. <br/><br/> Few months later, Scott formed his company, <b>Adventure International</b>, and wrote a series of adventure games during about six years. Among them <b>Pirate adventure</b>, <b>Pyramid of doom</b> or <b>The Count</b>. Some versions were all text for S-100 or CP/M based computers, others (Atari, Apple 2, Commodore 64, TI-99) were graphical and offered primitive animations. <br/><br/> In 1985, during the big down turn of the personal computers industry, the company went out of business and Scott became a senior programmer in a management software company. <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0378_adventureland_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
 {
 "title": "ALAN SHUGART FOUNDS SHUGART TECHNOLOGY",
 "date": "1979-03-01",
 "years": [
  "1979"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Companies"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "MARCH 1979",
  "oc_id": 51,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220429214055/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=51",
   "date": "2022-04-29"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0379_shugart_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/><p> In 1978, Alan Shugart met Finis Conner at Memorex. Conner had a great idea: to build a hard drive the same size as a 5.25" floppy drive but with 15 times the capacity and 10 times the speed. At this time people were beginning to buy a lot of PCs with several floppy drives and needed more and more storage capacity. <br/><br/> In 1979, they founded Shugart Technology. The company was soon renamed Seagate Technology because Xerox which acquired Shugart Associates, a floppy drive company also founded by Shugart in 1975, would sue them over the name. <br/><br/> One year later, they introduced first small hard disk drives which packed 5 to 10 MB of storage, they sold thousands of them, mainly to IBM for their mainframe. Within a few years, they had produced 4 million units. <br/><br/> The same year, Shugart Associates defined the specifications of a new interface using a device-independent parallel connection and allowing to attach several peripherals to a same desktop computer. This interface was called <b>SASI</b> (Shugart Associates Systems Interface). In 1982, NCR added features to Shugart's original interface which was renamed in <b>SCSI</b> (Small Computer System Interface) and then widely used, particularly by Apple. <br/><br/> In 1981, several of the engineers who worked on SASI left Seagate to form Adaptec, a host card manufacturer. Finis Conner also left the company in 1984 and launched Conner Peripherals. <br/><br/> For more than 15 years, under Shugart leadership, Seagate was the first hard disk manufacturer. In 1997, the company employed 100,000 people worldwide with a $9 billion turnover. Sadly, one year later, the company lost more than 650 M$. The lost was inputted to Shugart who resigned from Seagate Technology's board in August 1998. <br/><br/></p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0379_shugart_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
 {
 "title": "APPLE ANNOUNCES ITS THIRD COMPUTER, THE APPLE II+",
 "date": "1979-06-01",
 "years": [
  "1979"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "JUNE 1979",
  "oc_id": 55,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=55",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0679_apple_s1.jpg"/> <br/><br/><p> Released in June 1979 and retailing for $1,195 (over $100 less than the original Apple II), the II plus was essentially an extension of the Apple II. It came with 48 KB RAM, a new floating-point Basic interpreter in ROM written by Microsoft, and a new auto-start ROM for easier start-up and screen editing. <br/><br/> Despite these rather minor changes, the II+ instantly became a great success for 3 main reasons:<br/> • It was the first personal computer to offer an affordable and reliable floppy disk unit and an easy-to-use operating system, DOS 3.1<br/> • It was also the first serious personal business machine thanks to the new <b>VisiCalc</b> spreadsheet program which was first released on the Apple II+ before any other systems.<br/> • Instead of restricting its advertising campaign to computer enthusiasts and technical magazines, Apple was the first computer Company to advertise in popular magazines, emphasizing the usefulness of a personal computer at home, for business, education and entertainment. <br/><br/> A few months later, a special version of the II+, called <b>II Europlus</b>, was launched in Europe. Special escape sequences allowed users to type all the specific European characters, and the video interface was also adapted to the European PAL standard. <br/><br/> The first release of the Floppy drive OS was called 3.1 instead of the usual 1.0, simply because one of the OS developers updated a revision counter every time he recompiled the source code. The counter had reached 3.1 when the final version was released. The marketing department of Apple also felt that 3.1 sounded like a more advanced and debugged version than a standard 1.0. By the time of the launch of the Apple II+, the DOS version was up to 3.2.1 <br/><br/> More than 2,000,000 Apple II+'s were sold between 1979 and 1983, not counting the numerous clones from south America, Asia, and also from the USA. <br/><br/></p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0679_apple_s2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "APPLE DISK II, THE APPLE II SECOND BIRTH",
 "date": "1978-01-01",
 "years": [
  "1978"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "JANUARY 1978",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_0178_diskii_1.jpg",
  "oc_id": 11,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=11",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0178_diskii_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>Apple Disk II, the most inexpensive, easy to use floppy drive ever made was introduced in January at Winter Consumer Electronic Show. First deliveries will occur in July 1978 at $495, including the controller card. <br/><br/> At the time the Apple II was sold for about six months. Most users had connected their television as a colour monitor, and a cassette recorder to store their programs. A couple of weeks before, Apple had introduced a floating point BASIC (made by Microsoft) and a printer interface card. Sadly, the Apple II cassette interface wasn't reliable and needed very accurate volume and tone adjustments, preventing owners from using the computer as a professional system. <br/><br/> Actually, the disk interface shown at CES was just a prototype. Final version of the Disk II interface board will be finalized a few weeks later by <b>Steve Wozniak</b>, and the First DOS 3 version, written by <b>Randy Wigginton</b>, appeared un June. The disk II suddenly transformed the Apple II from an expensive hobbyist's toy to an efficient tool everyone could afford for home and business uses. In marketing terms, the Disk II launch can be considered as the Apple II second birth. <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0178_diskii_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "APPLE II, FIRST DELIVERIES",
 "date": "1977-05-01",
 "years": [
  "1977"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "MAY 1977",
  "image": "/media/history/images/twosteve.jpg",
  "oc_id": 35,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=35",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/twosteve.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>The <b>Apple</b> II system is really available and delivered for $1295. The system was introduced in April at the West Coast Computer Fair, just after the Apple Computer Company was incorporated and Apple employees move from Jobs' garage to an office in Cupertino, California. <br/><br/> Apple logo is designed by Rob Janoff. The first Apple II advert is designed too (picture). Apple Computers wil be the first company to advertise for a personal computer in general public magazines. <br/><br/> The <b>Apple 1</b> production is stopped ten months after its introduction. 175 Apple 1 kits had been sold for $549 each to only one customer, Paul Terrell, manager of the Byte Shop chain, who sold them for $666. <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/apple_ii_advertd_3.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
 {
 "title": "ARCNET, THE FIRST LOCAL AREA NETWORK",
 "date": "1977-09-01",
 "years": [
  "1977"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware",
  "Videogames"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "SEPTEMBER 1977",
  "image": "/media/history/images/history_arcnet_2.jpg",
  "oc_id": 23,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=23",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/history_arcnet_2.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>In September 1977, the world's first commercially available local area network was first put into service at Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, as a beta-site. <br/><br/> Short for Attached Resource Computer network, ARCnet was developed by Datapoint Corporation in San Antonio, Texas. It was defined as a group of nodes that communicates to one another over a geographically-limited area usually within one building or a campus of buildings. <br/><br/> It was the simplest, and least expensive type of local-area network. It used a token-ring architecture, supported data rates of 2.5 Mbps, and connected up to 255 computers. A special advantage of ARCnet is that it permitted various types of transmission media to be mixed on the same network: twisted-pair wire (Max. extension 150 meters), coaxial cable (650 m.) and fibre optic cable (2.000 m.) <br/><br/> Today, ARCnet is still alive in numerous companies all over the world and has more than seven million installed nodes.<br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/history_arcnet_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <b>Comment from Chris Piggott</b>:<br/> This is not so much a correction but more of a comment from the users point of view. <br/><br/> I worked for Chase Manhattan Bank from 1976 until 1986 and was one of the first to use the ARC in live commercial environment. I remember Gordon Peterson, Johnathan Schmidt and others at Datapoint well. ARC allowed Datapoint to 'punch far above its weight' when compared to the IBM, DEC &amp; Wang alternatives at the time. Not bad considering its eight bit architecture. The first system we developed using ARC was a funds transfer system connected to the New York Clearing House, processing thousands of transactions per day, worth Tens of Billions dollars. At its peak, Chase had scores of individual networks installed, some with 20 or more linked processors. <br/><br/> Such a pity that Datapoint didn't licence the ARC technology, rather than keeping it as a proprietory product. <br/><br/> One additional piece of information. Chase used Infrared transmission equipment, supplied by Datapoint, to link its ARCnet between its buildings in lower Manhattan in addition to the other methods mentioned.
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "ATARI REVEALS ITS NEW VCS VIDEO GAME CONSOLE",
 "date": "1977-07-01",
 "years": [
  "1977"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "JULY 1977",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_0777_atari_1.jpg",
  "oc_id": 28,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230214150613/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=28",
   "date": "2023-02-14"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0777_atari_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>A new generation of games was born in the summer of 1977, a new concept revolutionizing leisure will let small leading and foreseeing companies make billions of dollars. <br/><br/> Although the <b>Atari VCS</b> is not the first video game console ever, it will become a star while beginning in November of 1977. Millions of young players will hold it as mankind’s best invention ever. The first console idea was developed in 1975 by <b>Atari</b> and <b>Warner Bros</b>, its parent company. <br/><br/> Initially the console was set to come with an integrated ROM game, but at the last minute, Atari preferred a cartridge version. This game was “Combat”. Most importantly, this first cartridge will allow console owners to wait a few months for the release of new games. A first series of 8 will be followed later by many, among them, the famous <b>“Space Invaders”</b>, a title giving Atari global success and will cash in more then $100 millions. <br/><br/> In two years, Atari sold more than <b>25 million</b> consoles and earn $5 billion in sales, mostly from cartridges and optional accessories. Many third companies will also encounter success, such as Namco and its <b>“Pacman”</b>. <br/><br/> In 1982, the VCS becomes <b>“2600”</b> until Atari is sold in 1984, followed by new versions “5200” and “7800”. However, the 2600 continued to be produced and new games will appear until 1991. The VCS/2600 console thus lived for 14 years, a record longevity never equaled since by any console or computer. <br/><br/> Thanks to the <a href="http://users.knoware.nl/users/stuurmn/index.htm">Albert's Museum</a> for the picture. <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0777_atari_3.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
 {
 "title": "ATARI UNVEILS ITS 400 AND 800 HOME COMPUTERS",
 "date": "1978-12-01",
 "years": [
  "1978"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "DECEMBER 1978",
  "oc_id": 46,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134358/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=46",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_1278_atari_2.jpg"/> <br/><br/><p> In December, 1978, Atari was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warner Communication. <b>Nolan Bushnell</b>, who funded Atari in 1972 sold the company for $28 million in 1976 but still kept a position of responsibility up to October 1978. <br/><br/> The idea of a home computer able to compete with the first Apple, Commodore and Tandy systems came in 1977 from <b>Raymond Kassar</b>, the new manager of Atari. The Home Computer Division was created the same year. <br/><br/> The project took shape in 1978. Two computers code-named <b>Candy</b> and <b>Colleen</b> were designed simultaneously, based on three custom chips specially designed to handle graphics, sound and communication. <br/><br/> Although the Atari 400 and 800 were announced in December 1978, the first prototypes were shown at the Winter CES in January 1979. The production started in October 1979 and the first sales occurred just before Christmas period. <br/><br/> The design of these machines remains an amazing exploit to date. In one year, the teams of Atari (among them <b>Jay Miner</b>) succeeded in finalizing two really astonishing machines, as well as several concepts which are still largely used nowadays: The custom dedicated chips, the Serial I/O bus where all sorts of peripherals could be connected, is very close to our USB bus. Hardware scrolling, hardware sprites, video mode mixing, multivoice synthesizer are all concepts invented by Atari engineers and commonly used in our actual computers. <br/><br/> One can also mention the efficient Basic interpreter in ROM, written by Shepardson Microsystems, Inc (SMI), and a very well designed operating system. <br/><br/></p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_1278_atari_1.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "BALLY PROFESSIONAL ARCADE IS ANNOUNCED",
 "date": "1977-09-01",
 "years": [
  "1977"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "SEPTEMBER 1977",
  "image": "/media/history/images/history_astrocade_1.jpg",
  "oc_id": 22,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=22",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/history_astrocade_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>In September 1977, Bally, the famous pinball tables manufacturer, announced shortly after the Atari 2600, the <b>Bally Professional Arcade</b>. The first versions were shipped in early 1978 for $299. <br/><br/> This video game system featured a Z80 processor, three built-in games (Gunfight, Checkmate, Scribbler), a calculator with numeric keypad and up to four controllers that were a unique combination of joystick and paddle, which resembled the grip of a revolver. <br/><br/> Furthermore, a BASIC cartridge gave this system the ability to save programs to a cassette tape. For about 6 months, it was thus the world's cheapest computer. <br/><br/> Even though is was slightly superior to the competition (Atari VCS), the unit was too expensive and the sales remainded at a low level. In 1982, Bally withdrew the system and sold the rights to Astrovision Inc., a group of users who had enjoyed the system. The console was then reintroduced as the <b>Bally Computer System</b>. The same year, the company changed its name - and the system name - to <b>Astrocade</b>. <br/><br/> After that, Astrocade tried to keep the system alive and marketed it as a video game console for several years. In 1985, the game consoles market crashed and finally, the Astrocade company closed their doors and the Astrocade system disappeared. <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/history_astrocade_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "BBS, THE WORLD WIDE WEB FATHER",
 "date": "1978-01-01",
 "years": [
  "1978"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Software"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "JANUARY 1978",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_0178_fidonet_3.jpg",
  "oc_id": 10,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134358/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=10",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0178_fidonet_3.jpg"/><br/><br/> <p>In January 1978, two guys from Chicago, <b>Ward Christensen</b> and <b>Randy Suess</b>, decided to devise a simple communication system between two computers, through a telephone line. They used the first generation of 110-baud Hayes modems that appeared first en April 1977. Christensen, who wrote the first binary file transfer protocol in August 1977 (MODEM.ASM, then XMODEM), developed the software, and Suess designed the hardware. <br/><br/> One month later, their system was running. They called it the <b>C</b>omputerized <b>B</b>ulletin <b>B</b>oard <b>S</b>ystem (CBBS). After several months of tests and improvements, CBBS finally went online to the public in 1979. It was the first electronic message-posting network (except time sharing systems) where participants could post messages to a public "board", read and respond to other ones and thus participate to virtual discussions. Few months later, virtual bulletin boards began popping up around the country, mainly intended to computer hobbyists and scientists. <br/><br/> At the first time, BBSs were painfully slow as the transmission speed didn't exceed 300 bauds (30 to 40 chars. per sec.). Only ASCII codes and ANSI escape sequences were used. Later, when 1200 and 2400 baud modems were launched, the speed became acceptable. <br/><br/> BBSs were very popular during the 80s and early 90s. They greatly declined in popularity when commercial Internet access became common. However, they were in many ways a precursor to the modern form of the World Wide Web and many aspects of the Internet. <br/><br/> <b>M. Simon</b>, who designed the <b>S-100 I/O board</b> used in the world's first BBS, adds: <br/><br/> When I had a shop on Chicago on 2053 N. Sheffield they came over all the time to get advice on how to get the Master I/O Board up and running. I used the 8251 serial chip and there was no way other than a hard reset to determine the state of the chip. I think they did a cut and a jump on the board to the on board 8255 for a hardware reset. <br/><br/> They told me what they were planning and I wondered why any one would do something so crazy! <br/><br/> I made one or two visits to their basement to help out and see what was going on. We all belonged to the <b>CACHE</b> club in those days.<b> C</b>hicago <b>A</b>rea <b>C</b>omputer <b>H</b>obbyist <b>E</b>xchange. My wife silk screened bumper stickers for the club. We also sold T-shirts with "<i>Support the Revolution, Buy a Computer</i>" for a slogan. <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0178_fidonet_4.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "BSD UNIX",
 "date": "1978-03-01",
 "years": [
  "1978"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Software"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "MARCH 1978",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_0378_bsddaemon.jpg",
  "oc_id": 6,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=6",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0378_bsddaemon.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>In March 1978, <b>Bill Joy</b>, who studied at the University of California at Berkeley, released the first free version of UNIX operating system which is now known as <b>BSD UNIX</b>. (<b>B</b>erkeley <b>S</b>oftware <b>D</b>istribution) <br/><br/> The history of UNIX starts back in 1969, when <b>Ken Thompson</b>, <b>Dennis Ritchie</b> and others started working on a Digital Equipment PDP-7 computer at Bell Labs. The first edition was launched in 1971 and was mainly used for text processing. It had a kernel, an assembler for the DEC PDP-11/20, a file system and some vital tools, including the 'ed' (editor for mortals) text editor written by Bill Joy. <br/><br/> Two years later, the Fourth Edition was totally rewritten in C language with multi-platform support in mind, allowing it to be used on a wide range of computers. In 1975, the Sixth Version, widely known as 'Version 6' was the first UNIX version really available outside the Bell Labs. The first BSD version was derived from this V6. <br/><br/> The second BSD version was launched a few months later with the full kernel source codes. This version became the backbone of the Internet and introduced the "open source" concept.<br/> From this time, the various flavours of UNIX were divided in two different families, the BSD based types and those derived from the SYSTEM V.<br/> The Berkeley version of UNIX became the standard in education and research and was notable for introducing using TCP/IP to UNIX (later Bill Joy will be nicknamed the "Edison of the Internet"). BSD was widely distributed in source form so that others could learn from it and improve it. <br/><br/> After having been involved in the BSD project, Bill Joy co-founded <b>Sun Microsystems</b> in 1982 and led technical strategy of the company. He designed Sun's Network File System (NFS), parts of the SPARC microprocessor architecture as well as basic pipeline used in all of Sun's SPARC microprocessors.<br/> Later, he was the co-author of the specification for the <b>Java</b> programming language.<br/> In 1998, Bill was appointed as Chief Scientist of the company. <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0378_billjoy.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "BUILDING ITS OWN S-100 BUS BASED SYSTEM",
 "date": "1977-01-01",
 "years": [
  "1977"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "month unknown 1977",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_11-77_s100_1.jpg",
  "oc_id": 19,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=19",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_11-77_s100_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>In this end of year 1977, when a computer fanatic wished to build himself a powerful and evolutional computer, he'd only have pactically one choice: to purchase a S-100 Bus based system, assembled or in kit form.<br/> Several manufacturers were selling spare parts allowing to assemble progressively and at low cost a basic system. <br/><br/> The first step consisted in acquiring a box with a power supply and a bus card.<br/> One had to choose then amongst several CPU cards available: Motorola 6800, MOS 6502, Intel 8080 and 8085 or Zilog Z80. The cards were provided assembled or in kit form. One had then to solder the components on the card.<br/> A third essential part, the RAM card. It was composed of 2 to 64 Kb of static or dynamic memory chip. <br/><br/> At this stage, the computer was able to operate... providing that one could communicate with it! A teletype or video terminal plugged in the computer's serial port was then necessary.<br/> After a few days of operation, the user noticed that he would most probably need to buy a backup system to save his programs. For a few hundred $ more, he would rapidly buy a card punch or a cassette recorder with the additional interface card. <br/><br/> Though his computer was working correctly and that our fanatic already spent approximately $1500, he's not yet acquainted that he'll have to spend approximately twice the price in the next months to purchase more memory, communication cards, one or two floppy drives, a printer, a modem... <br/><br/> In 1977, when one would like to acquire a real computer, one had to be passionate, very handy... and rich! <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_11-77_s100_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "CLICK AND SPELL",
 "date": "1978-06-01",
 "years": [
  "1978"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "JUNE 1978",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_0678_clickspell_1.jpg",
  "oc_id": 36,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20211208043342/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=36",
   "date": "2021-12-08"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0678_clickspell_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/><p> In 1976, after having conquered a major part of the calculators market, the consumer products group at Texas Instruments was searching for another mountain to climb. First time the idea of a Speak and Spell product for children came up, TI management didn't take it seriously. However, Richard Wiggins, an engineer who was brand-new to TI at the time, took a look at the idea and said: "I think we can do it.". And they did: in june 1978, the speaking bright coloured box was launched. Six months later, the product was a Christmas season hit, and the same sentence resounded in every American toys stores: <br/><br/> <i>Hello! I am Speak &amp; Spell, the electronic learning aid, that challenges you with random questions stored in my brain.</i> <br/><br/> Its popularity with its target audience was given a further boost when a certain adorable alien used it to help him "phone home" in E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. Both parents and educators appreciated its value as a teaching tool, and their combined seals of approval made Speak &amp; Spell a common sight in homes and schools alike. Its popularity also led to sequel electronic games for other areas of learning like Speak &amp; Math and Speak &amp; Read. <br/><br/> The technology behind the toy was a result of Texas Instruments early investigations into speech synthesis. The result was the TMS5110/5220 series, first low cost mass produced DSP chips. They allowed speech data to be stored in a highly compressed format, which was very important in the days when ROM space was expensive; and synthesized speech using a method know as Linear-Predictive Coding (LPC). More than 100 seconds of linguistic sounds could be stored into a 128 KB ROM chip. Same chips were used in the TI 99/4 Home Computer Voice module. <br/><br/> Nowadays, DSP technology is everywhere. People can now send voice as well as live video over a cellular phone. In 2000, the programmable DSP market generated more than $6 billion in sales. Texas Instruments claimed 48 percent of that market. <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0678_clickspell_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
 {
 "title": "COMMODORE INTERNATIONAL IS FOUNDED",
 "date": "1954-01-01",
 "years": [
  "1954"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "month unknown 1954",
  "oc_id": 66,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20220429214058/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=66",
   "date": "2022-04-29"
  }
 }
 }
 <p>In 1954, Commodore International was founded by Jack Tramiel, an Auschwitz survivor, and Manfred Kapp, as a typewriter-repair service.</p> <p>Tramiel was born on December 13, 1927 in Lodz in Poland and spent the years from 1940 to 1945 in a German concentration camp. Other sources indicate that his name was originally Kaufmann Idek Tramiel or Tramielski and that he was born on September 13, 1927 or December 13, 1928. He appears to have entered the United States in 1947 and to have been in the United States Army from 1948 to 1950 when he was a cook and for less than a year in 1951-2 when he was a typewriter repair man. Between his tours of duty in the army and for a time after his second tour, he worked for a company called Ace Typewriter Repair Company. Between 1952 and 1954, he drove a taxicab in the New York City. Tramiel first met Manfred Kapp in 1952 or 1953 when they were fellow-employees at the Ace Typewriter Repair Company.</p>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "COMMODORE INTRODUCES THE PET",
 "date": "1977-06-01",
 "years": [
  "1977"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "JUNE 1977",
  "image": "/media/history/images/commodore_pet_system_3.jpg",
  "oc_id": 31,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=31",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/commodore_pet_system_3.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>The PET 2001 (Personal Electronic Transactor) was the first computer unit ready to plug in to a mains supply and use. This concept, added to a futuristic design, caused an enormous sensation at The 1977 Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. In fact, a first PET model was presented during the January CES, but it never worked properly.<br/><br/> The PET was the first computer sold by Jack Tramiel. A legend says that, one day, Chuck Peddle, the designer of the 6502 microprocessor, accosted him in a corridor and asked him to forget hand held calculators and think about a desktop computer. Tramiel said, "Build it" and Chuck built the PET computer based on the 6502 microprocessor! <br/><br/> The PET name would be used only until the 4000 series as Philips, the owner of the registered PET name, would require Commodore to use a different name. Commodore would choose the CBM logo for the later systems. <br/><br/> Original sale price of the 4 KB PET was $495. Several hundred orders later, the price would go to $595 for the 4 KB version and $795 for the 8 KB. Several thousand orders later Jack Tramiel decided to double the price and to market the computer in Europe. The sales won't weaken.<br/><br/> Within a few months, many dealers wanted to sell the PET. But Tramiel dictated his terms: To pay cash on order and wait for the computers for about five months, to have a clean credit history and good retail and service departments.<br/><br/> While being very demanding with the dealer network, Tramiel approached the big retail chain stores, and within a few weeks, the dealers were in direct competition with the household names.<br/><br/> The PET system would become the father of a large family of PET/CBM computers including the 2000, 4000, 8000 series, then the 500, 600 and 700 series in 1983.<br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/commodore_history_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
 {
 "title": "COMMODORE PET VS SHARP MZ-80K",
 "date": "1979-03-01",
 "years": [
  "1979"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "MARCH 1979",
  "oc_id": 50,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=50",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0379_cbmmz_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/><p> In early 1979, Commodore introduced the first revision of its PET computer. The most visible change was the large mechanical keyboard that replaced the first "chicklet" style one. As there was no more room for it, the internal tape drive was removed. <br/><br/> Internally, the machine offered 8 to 32 KB of RAM and a new version 1.2 of the Basic interpreter which corrected several bugs of the version 1 and allowed the use of the new 2040 floppy drive unit. <br/><br/> Same versions were sold in Europe a few months later under the name CBM 3008, 3016 and 3032. The 2040 FD unit was also renamed CBM 3040. <br/><br/> At the same time, Sharp started to sell in Japan its first home computer, the MZ-80K, with the intention of competing with the PET and Tandy TRS systems. <br/><br/> Although its appearance was pretty PET like, its internal design was rather different: a Z80 CPU instead of a 6502, no Basic in ROM, only a 2 KB monitor and a mechanical keyboard, better than the first Pet keyboard, but less convenient than the new version. <br/><br/> The MZ-80K was launched in various European countries in late 1979. Due to its specific features and permanent lack of software, it never presented a real threat to the major US manufacturers. This is probably the reason why Sharp did not launch the MZ-80 series on the U.S. market. <br/><br/></p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0379_cbmmz_2.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
 {
 "title": "COMPUTERS - SOME HISTORY AND BACKGROUND #1",
 "date": "1915-01-01",
 "years": [
  "1915"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "month unknown 1915",
  "oc_id": 60,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230627150853/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=60",
   "date": "2023-06-27"
  }
 }
 }
 <p> By <b> Darwyn F. Kelley</b><br/> Computer Historian</p> <p><br/> What is the difference between a Computer and a Calculator? One the most satisfactory definition states, "<i>An automatic computer is a machine that manipulates symbols in accordance with given rules in a predetermined and self-directed manner..</i>"<br/> The most significant word here undoubtedly is "<i>self directed</i>". Any calculating device whether it be an abacus or an adding machine must be other-directed, that is, man directed.<br/> <sup><img height="378" src="/media/history/images/compengine.jpg" width="250"/></sup><br/> An automatic computer, however has the ability to accept data and then work upon that data according to a preset program without human intervention, although human beings must, of course, devise the program which controls the automatic manipulation of the data. Regardless whether the computer is one of the special-purpose types for solving engineering and scientific problems or a general-purpose computer manufactured in large quantities, the principle remains the same.<br/> <br/> How did computers come into being and why did anyone want to build one in the first place? Starting from crude methods of piling stones to represent numbers and proceeding hrough such ingenious devices as the abacus, he has long been in pursuit of improved calculating methods. He has always been limited however, by the state of technology in the times in which he lived. As long ago as the 1820's Charles Babbage, in England made a "difference engine"., which was sound in principle, but which unfortunately was very unreliable due to the availability of only crudely machined parts. <br/> <br/> The first true computer to be manufactured in any quantities was <b> Ford Instrument Computer</b> in <b>1915</b>. A mechanical analog device. The Ford Computer was a marvel of gear trains, linkages, and differentials. It was difficult to keep in adjustment and very complicated to manufacture, but it did the job it was intended to do- find and keep the range for naval guns.<br/> <br/> In <b>1930</b>, the first general-purpose computer was built at MIT under the direction of <b> Dr. Vannever Bush</b>. It to was a mechanical monster, but it could be disconnected and reconnected to solve different equations.<br/> All of these devices were analog. That is they operated on real inputs such as voltages or the rotation of gears and they produced real outputs, such as training of the guns of a main battery. <br/> <br/> Analog computers have both advantages and disadvantages. They produce almost instantaneous output, but since they act upon analogies to numbers rather than on numbers themselves, their output is never perfectly accurate. They can be used to train a gun but not to calculate a payroll.<br/> <br/> In <b>1939</b>, a major breakthrough occurred when <b> Dr. Howard Aiken</b> of Harvard completed the basic plans for a <b> sequential, digital, electromechanical computer</b>. This computer was an unwieldy conglomeration of office calculating devices, but it embodied two impo<img height="385" src="/media/history/images/mark1a.jpg" width="250"/>rtant concepts. First, it operated on real numbers, rather than on analogs of numbers, and, second it had the ability to make decisions. That is, it could compare two numbers when a partial result had been obtained and then follow one of two paths for further computation, depending upon the result of the comparison. All computers operate on this principle today.<br/> Dr. Aiken's machine was still an electromechanical device and naturally was subject to failure through wear and tear and had such commonplace troubles as simply getting dirty. Also there were obvious physical limitation on the speeds which it could be operated.<br/> <br/> The next major breakthrough came in <b>1946</b>, when the first all-electronic, digital sequential computer was delivered. It was many times faster and far more reliable than any mechanical computer could be. It was an invention of <b> J. Presper Eckert</b> and <b> Dr. John Mauchly</b>, who later formed a company which eventually became, the UNIVAC Division of Sperry Rand. The name of this first Electronic Computer was <b>ENIAC</b>. (Acronym for :Electronic Numeric Integrated Automatic Computer). It was the father of all modern electronic computers.<br/> <br/> Next, in rapid succession came <b>BINAC</b>, the first computer with serial logic; <b> Univac I</b> , the first commercial computer, the Univac 1103A, the first computer to use core storage, the Univac Solid State, the first all Solid State Computer to be offered commercially, The Univac LARC, the world's most powerful computer at that time. </p> <p><a href="/history/computers-some-history-and-background-2/"><img height="15" src="/media/history/images/next_button.gif" width="54"/></a></p>
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
 {
 "title": "COMPUTERS - SOME HISTORY AND BACKGROUND #2",
 "date": "1915-01-01",
 "years": [
  "1915"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Hardware"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "month unknown 1915",
  "oc_id": 61,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134358/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=61",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <p> By <b> Darwyn F. Kelley</b><br/> Computer Historian</p> <p><br/> <br/> <b> ENIAC <br/> The World's First Electronic Computer <br/> </b><br/> <img src="/media/history/images/eniac.jpg"/></p> <p>The ENIAC computer, pictured above was installed ,at Aberdeen Proving Grounds , Aberdeen, Maryland. It weighed nearly 30 tons and occupied 15,000 square feet of floor space.<br/> ENIAC contained more than <b> 19,000 vacuum tubes</b> which were used to perform <b> 5,000 additions per second</b>. .As one might expect, making ENIAC function was a tedious task. Operators used plug boards and wires to program the desires operations and entered the numbers used in calculations by turning a series of dials until they corresponded to the correct digits.<br/> By today's standards, ENIAC was slow, but it was 60 times faster than the mechanical differential analyzer which it replaced and at that time this was a large advance. ENIAC led the computer field during the period <b> 1949</b> through <b> 1952</b> when it served as the main computer workhouse for the solution of scientific problems of the Nation. It was the major instrument for the computation of all ballistic tables for the U.S. Army and Air Force.<br/>  <br/> As a Sperry Univac, Senior System Engineer, assigned to the Univac installation at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in <b>1957</b>. ENIAC was delivered to the Ballistics Research Laboratory, (BRL) in <b>1946</b>, therefore I missed this installation but did have many discussions with the personnel that used to work on this first amazing computer. It actually was not used to solve "Knotty Nuclear Problems" , but actually computed firing tables for the White Sands missile range.<br/> BRL also had many firsts., <b> EDVAC</b> and <b> ORDVAC</b> Computers were very powerful military computers which replaced ENIAC. Around <b> 1958/1959</b> BRL decided to build a very advanced Scientific Computer. <b>BRLESC</b>. (BRL Electronic Scientific Computer). This was a very expensive and powerful computer but it did contain vacuum tubes at the time when all commercial computers were switching to solid state devices. This computer was made obsolete by Solid State Technology.<img src="/media/history/images/binac.jpg"/></p> <p><b> BINAC</b></p> <p>The next machine produced by the Eckert &amp; Mauchly team was Binac, special-purpose computer, Only one was built. Binac embodied four important advances, however: it used serial instead of parallel logic; it was the first computer to be internally programmed; it was the first computer to use magnetic tape; and it was the first computer to use solid state elements. Internal programming eliminated the time-consuming and tedious task of changing a problem by connecting external cables. </p> <p>In parallel-logic systems, if one wishes to add two 3 digit numbers, one provides three add circuits, one for each column. In a serial machine, the columns are added one at a time, sequentially. This arrangement eliminates many parts and, of course, when the number of parts goes down so does the cost.<br/> Binac's use of Magnetic tape was limited to small reels. Small as it was, however, this 2 inch reel was the forerunner of the complex tape input and storage systems.<br/> In part, Binac achieved the speed necessary to the successful operation of a serial machine by the use of crystal diodes instead of vacuum tubes for switches. <br/> <img src="/media/history/images/mercurymem.jpg"/> All sequential machines really are giant switching networks. Vacuum tubes still were used for amplification, but this first use of crystal diodes, as long ago as <b>1948</b>, foreshadowed today's all solid-state machines with their greatly increased speeds and greatly reduced size, power and cooling requirements, and costs. A solid state component uses the flow of electrons through a solid material.  </p> <p>After Binac, new developments came thick and fast. The memory utilized in Binac was <b> mercury tank memory</b>. The design of this storage device was based on the very simple fact that an electrical pulse could be converted to a sound pulse (by means of piezo-electric quartz crystal and that this sound crystal would travel at relative low speed through a body of mercury. When it came out the other end, it could be reconverted to an electrical pulse by another crystal, amplified, and sent back into the tank. The net result was that the "bit" of information kept circulating until such time until called for by the computers circuitry. Mercury Delay Memory was also utilized in the Univac I Computer. </p> <p><a href="/history/computers-some-history-and-background-3/"><img height="15" src="/media/history/images/next_button.gif" width="54"/></a></p>
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 {
 "title": "DAN BRICKLIN AND BOB FRANKSTON FORM SOFTWARE ARTS CORPORATION.",
 "date": "1979-01-01",
 "years": [
  "1979"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Software"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "JANUARY 1979",
  "oc_id": 47,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=47",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0179_brickfrank.gif"/> <br/><br/><p> In 1978, Daniel Bricklin, who was then a masters student in business administration, came up with the idea of an interactive visible calculator and programmed the first working prototype of his concept on an Apple II in Basic. <br/><br/> As the program wasn't really powerful, he asked his friend Bob Frankston who had been working with computers for 15 years, to improve and expand the program. They founded Software Arts Corp. in January 2, 1979 and Frankston turned the Bricklin idea into a powerful and compact spreadsheet program they named <b>VisiCalc</b>, for Visible Calculator. <br/><br/> In October 1979, the first Apple II versions appeared in the computer stores at $100 and VisiCalc became an instant success. About 1 million copies were sold within four years, Software Arts grew from 2 employees to 125, and many businessmen bought an Apple II just to run VisiCalc on. Although Atari, Tandy Commodore and later IBM versions were also launched, Visicalc widely contributed to the commercial success of the Apple II and further Apple systems. <br/><br/> It was said that VisiCalc was the first computer spreadsheet program. However the 'Spreadsheet' term was fist used in 1952, and the first computerized version of an accounting matrix appeared in mid 1960's, programmed in Fortran language. However, at the time, the only way to use such a program was to rent calculation time on a shared system or run it on a mainframe. Both options were cost prohibitive.<br/> Visicalc was in fact the first 'democratic' productivity software which turned first generation of personal computers from toys or game consoles into real business assistants. <br/><br/> VisiCalc was sold to Lotus Development Corporation in 1983 and became the <b>Lotus 1-2-3</b> spreadsheet for the IBM-PC. Other major sequels of Visicalc were <b>SuperCalc</b> for CP/M systems and <b>Quattro Pro</b> from Borland. The first <b>Excel</b> version appeared in 1985 for the Apple Macintosh. <br/><br/> For a complete information about VisiCalc history, don't miss the <a href="http://www.bricklin.com/visicalc.htm">Dan Bricklin Web site</a>. <br/><br/></p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0179_visicalc.jpg"/>
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
 {
 "title": "DAVID PACKARD AND WILLIAM HEWLETT",
 "date": "1978-02-01",
 "years": [
  "1978"
 ],
 "topics": [
  "People"
 ],
 "params": {
  "when": "FEBRUARY 1978",
  "image": "/media/history/images/timeline_0278_hp_1.jpg",
  "oc_id": 8,
  "source": {
   "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221215134357/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=8",
   "date": "2022-12-15"
  }
 }
 }
 <img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0278_hp_1.jpg"/> <br/><br/> <p>Mr. David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett Packard Company, Inc., retires from active duty in his company. He is replaced with Mr. John Young as Chief Executive Officer. At this time, the sale revenue was close to $ 2 billions, and HP Company employed more than 42,000 persons. <br/><br/> 48 years earlier, in the 1930s, <b>William Hewlett</b> and <b>David Packard</b> met when they were students at Stanford University. They launched their business partnership in 1939 with $538 in capital. Packard and his wife Lucile provided the humble garage where the Hewlett-Packard Company began, in Palo Alto, California. This garage is now regarded as the Birthplace of Silicon Valley. <br/><br/> As their first big contract, the partners built 8 audio oscillators called <b>HP200B</b> for the Walt Disney Studio. They were used for building the soundtrack of the film "Fantasia". Why 200B? To make customers think that this device was one of many produced by HP Company. <br/><br/> During World War II, Packard ran the firm while Hewlett did Army duty. The company produced radio, sonar, radar, and nautical and aviation devices. It grew rapidly and had 250 employees at the war conclusion. <br/><br/> In 1969, H.P. produces the first scientific pocket calculator, and enters by this way in the new world of computers. However, Hewlett Packard not only pioneered in technology. David Packard introduced a new management philosophy which came to be known as the <b>"HP Way"</b>, providing medical insurance, allowing flex time for workers and profit-sharing for all employees. <br/><br/> These two men who shared talent, ideas and a generous spirit built then Hewlett-Packard into one of the world's most innovative and respected companies. <br/><br/> </p><img src="/media/history/images/timeline_0278_hp_2.jpg"/>
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