---
title: SOLID STATE TECHNOLOGY Athena
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1979'
cpus:
- Intel 8085
params:
  name: Athena
  image: /media/museum/photos/solidstatetechnology_athena_1.jpg
  company: /companies/solid-state-technology
  company_name: SOLID STATE TECHNOLOGY
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Athena
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Solid State Technology
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: ? 1979
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Unknown
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 8085
  - label: SPEED
    value: Unknown
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Unknown
  - label: RAM
    value: Unknown
  - label: VRAM
    value: Unknown
  - label: ROM
    value: Unknown
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: Unknown
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: Unknown
  - label: COLORS
    value: Unknown
  - label: SOUND
    value: Unknown
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 5.25'' disk drives (320 KB)
  - label: OS
    value: Unknown
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Unknown
  - label: PRICE
    value: 35000 FF HT (France, 1980)
  comments:
  - author: Marty Grogan (USA)
    date: Monday 11th April 2011
    text: |-
      I obtained one of the first PC''s at Honeywell early in the ''80. It was an Athena. The total quote for all items exceeded $7k. I demonstrated its capabilities for executives and at a corporate trade show.

      When the IBM PC came out, I thought it did not have nearly the capability of the Athena. The Athena used a true multi-tasking OS that enabled single keystroke application switching. It also incorporated intelligent distributed multiprocessing into perpherial interfaces.

      The main cpu was an 8085. The machine and OS were developed by an MIT graduate.

      The machine was obtained on spec and never purchased. The division VP commented after a demonstration "Wear it out" implying a total lack of regard for potential or interest in application.

      Fewer than one thousand of these machines were produced. The company never gained viability.
  - author: Roland (USA)
    date: Friday 22nd May 2015
    text: |-
      Just stumbled across this site. I was one of hardware/firmware designers for this product. I may still have some manuals for the system, if there is any interest in me scanning them.

      I designed the DRAM system (48K), the dot-matrix printer microcontroller hardware/ firmware, the RS232 terminal interface.

      Also involved in a CPM conversion project that we never brought to market. Still know many of the team (Mike Varanka, Gary Cook, Roland Guilmet, Dennis Chasse, Dave. As well as the next generation (8088/86 based) system which we prototyped and didn''t make to market.

      OS was called AMOS (Athena Multitasking Operating System) and used a bus based system that when each board was installed automatically provided relevant driver for the OS. No external software needed.

      Interesting side note: Met Bill Gates of Microsoft, when we contracted Microsoft for Assembler, Basic, and Fortran software packages for the system.
  oc_id: 1121
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230128071906/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1121
    date: '2023-01-28'
---

Little is known about this obscure professional computer.

The Athena used a true multi-tasking OS that enabled single keystroke application switching. It also incorporated intelligent distributed multiprocessing into perpherial interfaces.

The machine and OS were developed by an MIT graduate and conceived by Solid State Technology from Boston. The Athena is based on a 8085 Intel chipset. Sold with a monochrome monitor and 5.25'' disk drives (320 KB each), it has also a printer (150 characters/s, 80 col.) built-in the case.

Several programming languages were available : compiled BASIC, COBOL, FORTRAN, PASCAL and APL.

Fewer than one thousand of these machines were produced. The company never gained viability.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>