Re: Rewriting computing history...

[mjmahon@aol.com (Michael J. Mahon)]

Paul Schlyter wrote:

>In article <atr73i$7iq$1@news1.tilbu1.nb.home.nl>,
>Ruud Dingemans  <rtech@home.nl> wrote:
> 
>> Paul Schlyter wrote:
>> 
>>>>But that's the point. They were successful, and thus, did "ignite" the 
>>>>personal computer revolution.
>>> 
>>>  Nah, the company that did "ignite" the personal computer revolution
>>> was Intel, who created the very first microprocessor,
>> 
>> Nah again - the microprocessor had been around for years, from 1971 to 
>> 1976 it didn't really do all that much at all.
>> 
>> The real "revolution" (in the sense that something huge and important on 
>> a world scale actually began happening) was indeed in 1977 with the 
>> introduction of the AII, PET and TRS80. It wasn't the start of 
>> 'personal' computing (that was even around before the 4004, albeit 
>> mostly in an embryonic state on machines like small pdp's),
> 
>...or on calculators.  I started my own personal computing using a
>MECHANICAL calculator.....
> 
>> but it was that year when the revolution started. So Apple's claim
>> isn't that far off after all.
> 
>Apple wasn't alone though....
> 
>>> Without the
>>> microprocessor, there would have been no personal computers at all....
>> 
>> Oh yes there would, there were pc-type computers like the Alto at that 
>> time for years, they would just internally look different.
> 
>They would have been bigger, and more expensive.

Indeed.

We should not underestimate the "priming" of the market that
resulted from colleges and universities getting small general-purpose
computers in the late 50s and early 60s.  These machines exposed
many young people to the utility of a fast number-cruncher (though
they were very slow by comparison to later machines).

I took a numerical analysis class in 1962 which, as one of its
excercises, required me to invert a 5x5 matrix to 5 significant
digits.  I did this exercise using Gaussian elimination with a
mechanical calculator.  It was a pivotal experience for me!  At
my next opportunity, I located the IBM 1620 on campus, and
taught myself FORTRAN so I could write a Gaussian elimination
matrix inverter.

In those days, one "signed up" for time on the computer in
blocks of 15 minutes, and had the machine to oneself for the
allocated time.  A typical session on a Saturday could easily
be an hour or two--of personal interaction with the machine!

The lowly 1620 inverted my matrix in seconds, while I had taken
about four grueling hours with pencil, paper, and mechanical
calculator!  No one had to convince me of the value of a computer.  ;-)
And by changing just one punched card, I could have it compute
to 20 significant digits!

I became sufficiently fascinated that I eventually chose to be a
computer system and software designer.  Then, when computers
became (borderline) affordable for a professional, I bought an
Apple ][+ in 1980.  The Apple was faster than the 1620 and
had a larger memory!

So, the point is that the market for personal computers for
professionals and hobbyists had been well primed by the
huge "personal computers" of the 60s.  They were owned
by institutions, but used by individuals, who learned firsthand
how much fun they were to use (and play) with.

-michael

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