TRS-80 Model 100 Microcomputer

TRS-80 Model 100 Microcomputer

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Description
The Tandy/Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 was one of the precursors to the modern laptop. The functions were fairly limited but the size and battery power were well recieved.
This computer was actually made by Kyocera, now a brand name recognized worldwide as a manufacturer of popular cell phone and PDA hybrids.
This example of the computer was used by Paul E. Ceruzzi when he was a curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
In addition to the computer itself, this index number covers a plastic carrying case for it.
Object Name
Microcomputer
date made
ca 1983
user
Ceruzzi, Paul
maker
Tandy Corporation
Measurements
overall: 5 cm x 29.6 cm x 21.2 cm; 1 31/32 in x 11 21/32 in x 8 11/32 in
ID Number
1995.0176.01
accession number
1995.0176
catalog number
1995.0176.01
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Paul E. Ceruzzi
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Computers & Business Machines
Exhibition
My Computing Device
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

I have a version of the Model 100 with a label marked Kyocera and identified as Serial #004. Some of the function keys are hand-written, the ROM board is external and hand-marked, and the power supply is external. It was provided to a stock broker in New York City, while in development, to see if he could come up with ways it could be marketed to people who worked in the financial markets. I came to it because of my father who was friends with the stock broker and worked for Radio Shack since 1978. My father opened the first Tandy Computer Center in Manhattan. He is mentioned by Isaac Asimov, related to Asimov's attempt to move from a typewriter to a computer, in his second autobiographical novel, Opus 200.

Ken Schwartz

Wed, 2022-01-12 08:29

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