website/content/museum/logical-machine-corporation-lomac-adam.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Logical Machine Corporation (LOMAC) Adam	Computers	Professional Computer	U.S.A.	1975	16-bit CPU proprietary designed for ADAM	name image company company_name specs tabs forum_thread photos adverts oc_id source Adam /media/museum/photos/lomac_adam_1s.jpg /companies/logical-machine-corporation-lomac Logical Machine Corporation (LOMAC) label value NAME Adam label value MANUFACTURER Logical Machine Corporation (LOMAC) label value TYPE Professional Computer label value ORIGIN U.S.A. label value YEAR 1975 label value KEYBOARD Full stroke keyboard with numeric keypad label value CPU 16-bit CPU proprietary designed for ADAM label value RAM 32 KB to 64 KB label value TEXT MODES 16 lines x 80 characters label value COLORS Monochrome display label value SOUND Beeper label value SIZE / WEIGHT 60 lbs label value BUILT IN MEDIA 10 MB hard disk label value OS Logical Natural Language label value POWER SUPPLY Built-in PSU (protected from power failure) label value PRICE $32000 (USA, 1974)\ $25000 (USA, 1980) photos adverts 1309 title subtitle text image ADAM COMPUTER null title subtitle text image 4 OF THE 6 ELECTRONIC CARDS These are the same as the ones found in the Tina computer. null title subtitle text image ADAM'S DISPLAY At some point, the Adam's display was a modified and rebadged Control Data terminal. Thanks to the Ebay seller for this picture null title subtitle text image DISPLAY MONITOR Thanks to the Ebay seller for this picture null title subtitle text image DISPLAY MONITOR #2 Slightly different model than the previous picture Source: History San Jose / Perham Collection of Early Electronics null title subtitle text image BACK OF THE DISPLAY Thanks to the Ebay seller for this picture null title subtitle text image DISPLAY CONNECTORS Thanks to the Ebay seller for this picture null title subtitle text image DISPLAY LABEL At some point, the Adam's display was a modified and rebadged Control Data terminal.... Thanks to the Ebay seller for this picture null title subtitle text image JOHN PEERS USING AN ADAM This picture dated march 1979 shows John Peers using an Adam with a microphone to demonstrate voice recognition. Indeed John Peers bought 60% of Centigram Corp., a company developing voice recognition applications. Peers believed machines operating in conversational English, or any other language, will be feasible in three or five years. This development will send shock waves throughout the industry, causing skyrocketing demand. "In two to fiver years (from 1979), machines will be able to recognize a fairly expensive spoken vocabulary of 300 to 600 words", Peers predicted. The cost of the technology will drop dramatically, he concluded. Source: Computer World - 26th March 1979 null title subtitle text image COMPLETE SYSTEM from an article in May 1977 edition of Personal Computing magazine. null title subtitle text image US ADVERT null title subtitle text image US ADVERT It's easy as falling off a log ! null title subtitle text image US ADVERT null title subtitle text image PRODUCT BROCHURE N°3 null title subtitle text image PRODUCT BROCHURE - INSIDE null title subtitle text image PRODUCT BROCHURE Notice that the display and keyboard are not the same as the one pictured on this page (using a Control Data terminal). null title subtitle text image ADAM'S SPECIFICATIONS null title subtitle text image PLAY GAMES Apparently it was possible to play games (at least Chess) with Adam. null title subtitle text image PERSONAL COMPUTING (1977) #1 Press article from Personal Computing dated May/June 1977 Part 1 null title subtitle text image PERSONAL COMPUTING (1977) #2 Press article from Personal Computing dated May/June 1977 Part 2 null title subtitle text image PERSONAL COMPUTING (1977) #3 Press article from Personal Computing dated May/June 1977 Part 3 null title subtitle text image PRESS ARTICLE (1979) Source: Computer World - 26th March 1979. p81 null title subtitle text image COMPUTING TODAY (1980) #1 Press article from Computing Today dated march 1980 Part 1 null title subtitle text image COMPUTING TODAY (1980) #2 Press article from Computing Today dated march 1980... Part 2 null title subtitle text image COMPUTING TODAY (1980) #3 Press article from Computing Today dated march 1980 Part 3 null title subtitle text image COMPUTING TODAY (1980) #4 Press article from Computing Today dated march 1980 Part 4 null 1344 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230602045941/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1344 2023-06-02

The Adam was the first computer released by Logical Machine Corporation (LOMAC) in 1975. In 1978 they also produced Tina which stands for "TINy Adam". In 1983 Logical released the David, and the L-XT in 1983. There was also the Goliath, a data storage server with 5MB hard drive. Goliath could be connected to up to 20 Davids or Tinas. David and Goliath names makes a clear reference to the mythical story found in the biblical Book of Samuel.

The Adam computer is considered a "mini" computer, as these kind of systems were called at the time. It was quite compact compared to larger computers sold in the mid 70s. The entire system is housed in a L-shape desk. On the left part was the printer, on the right the display and keyboard, and systems cards underneath the desk. In the corner was the big hard disk.

The most original feature of the Adam is not its hardware, buts its operating system and language ! The Adam was self-proclaimed the first "programmerless" computer.

Logical Business Machines was an american company based in Sunnyvale, California. It was founded by John Peers, prior to buying ‘The Byte Shop’ franchise, one of the first successful chains of personal computer stores, which was started by Paul Terrell (who was the first retailer to sell the original Apple 1 computer). His studies in human learning in the 70s led him to a neurological emulations approach in computing, now better-known as neural networking technology. In 1982, Mr. Peers also founded Novix, Inc., specializing in the design of high-speed microprocessors and software optimized for neural and massive parallel computing. John McAfee was vice President of engineering at Logical (at least in 1983/1984).

This historical background is necessary to explain why the Adam computer was so special. The philosophy behind the Lomac systems and its operating system/language is that the user is not necessarily a computer expert. Thus the system let the user create its own language based on verbs, words, nouns, numbers or expressions, a bit like with Forth language. Verbs call actions for example and can be used to create and index files, manipulate data, prompts the user to enter data, while nouns represent the user's data. Thus the user communicate with the computer via a "natural" language conceived by the user itself. It's the difficult to explain how it works, but the concept was revolutionary. It was an object oriented language ahead of its time. This natural language was the predecessor of PRAGMA (that is still used today).

Sadly, these computers and their concept didn't sell well and very little is known about them. Any testimonies or memories are welcome !

In 1980 September edition of Info World, Adam Osborne wrote in an article:

"One of the more colorful characters making significant contributions to the microcomputer industry is John Peers. John was the founder of Logical Machine Corporation (otherwise known as Lomac), where he took the first small step in the direction that ultimately the entire computer industry must take: toward self-programming computers. Lomac's Adam computers are programmed in English sentences you structure for yourself. This is a long way from a truly self-programming computer, but John had 20-20 future vision. Unfortunately, he spent too much of his time and his company's resources trying to raise Byte Industries from its ashes. As a result, Lomac never grew as it should have, and Byte Industries ultimate demise has merely been postponed."

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.