This room contains minicomputers from the 1960s through the mid 1970s. These were the inexpensive computers of the day, and generally just plug into the wall with no special cooling needs. We have computers made by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), MIT, Control Data, Hewlett Packard and Data General on display.
Highlights:
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LINC (works)One of the candidates for the first personal computer. $43,600 in 1962. Used for biomedical research. Operating System written by a young woman who lived in Baltimore. If you are lucky, you may be able to play “Pong” on this unit! |
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CDC-160a (works)Introduced in 1960 by Control Data Corporation (CDC), the CDC 160-A was one of the first minicomputers tailored for scientific and industrial use. Its compact design and affordability made computing more attainable for smaller businesses and educational institutions. The success of the CDC 160-A played a crucial role in establishing CDC as a key player in the computer industry, setting the stage for future advancements in both minicomputers and mainframes. Designed by Seymore Cray. |
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PDP-12The PDP-12 has an awe-inspiring front panel. Two sets of twelve switches allow you to set address and data separately for toggling in code or for controlling a running program. Single instructions give access to either set of switches. Our unit was used to manufacture Desitin which is a paste to prevent daiper rash |
