Kenbak-1 on Ebay

[Scott Stevens]

On Tue, 2 Aug 2005 01:19:52 -0400
"'Computer Collector Newsletter'" <news at computercollector.com> wrote:

> Regarding the "first" PC specifically, Doug Salot explains it quite
> well: http://www.blinkenlights.com/pc.shtml
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org
> [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of steve
> Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 1:11 AM
> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
> Subject: Re: Kenbak-1 on Ebay
> 
> I don't think you can ever claim any computer as the first one without
> some qualifications(computer using relays, tubes, TTL, microprocessor
> etc), I think in the 1950's a relay computer kit called Simon was
> available from Radio Electronics.
> 
> For microprocessor based computers the original manufacturer always
> made the first computers based on their processor (so if you assume
> the 4004 was the first microprocessor then Intel Intellec or its
> single board cousin Sim-4 could be considered the first microprocessor
> based computers).  
> 

Well, Intel didn't originally really intend the 4004 to be the basis of
a general purpose programmable computer.  I suppose their early
development hardware can be considered a 'personal computer' kinda
sorta.

Speaking of which:  are there other people out there who collect
development hardware?  I have an assortment of 'development systems' all
the way from the little cheap 'evaluation kit' boards to my MDS system
with 8051 hardware ICE.  (I also have the Intel 'bubble memory
development kit' which includes bubble memory on an ISA card, docs and
'sample' drivers to make it a small DOS non-volatile memory, which is
probably one of the more rare Intel 'Development Kits')  I grab up
emulators and what-not where I can get them, like I got another 68HC11
emulator and a 68HC16 at the last IUPUI auction for five bucks each
(complete in-the-box with everything).