Computers & Business Machines

Sinclair ZX81 Microcomputer

Description

The Sinclair ZX-81 was the third microcomputer built by Sinclair but it had limited functionality. It appeared on the market at the right time, though, and enjoyed much popularity. Sinclair teamed with Timex Corporation in Scotland for production. The machine sold in the United States through the American branch of Sinclair Research in Nashua, New Hampshire.

This example includes not only the microcomputer but a power adapter, earphone and microphone cords, a television adapter, and two manuals.

This microcomputer illustrates a different approach to design and has a much smaller profile than its peers. The downside was limited functionality. This computer was often used by teenage boys because it was affordable and versatile.

In 1980, Clive Sinclair created a sensation in Great Britain by introducing a home computer, the Sinclair ZX80, for less than 100 pounds. A year later, he took the American market by storm with the successor Sinclair ZX81, which sold for only $99.95 in kit form, or $149.50 fully assembled. The attraction was low price. The computer was cheap in almost every sense of the word. The computer had only 1K of RAM, which could be expanded to 56K with RAM packs. It had just 8 KB of ROM. It interfaced with a television for video display, and a cassette tape recorder for data storage. The screen output was text only, and only 32 characters wide by 24 high. The keyboard was a "touch sensitive membrane" - essentially switches under a plastic surface. Data entry was slow and laborious, and touch typing was impossible. The ZX-81 had a Z80A microprocessor and used BASIC as its principal programming language.

Although limited in capability, the ZX81 sold very well, and third party vendors developed a variety of products that provided enhancements or workarounds for many of its limitations. Innovative developers even created a word processor and flight simulator that could run on it.

Compare the TS 1000, introduced in 1982 (see 1983.0289.01). Also see another ZX-81 (1991.006.01).

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

March 1981 or later

date made

ca 1981

ID Number

1994.0398.01

catalog number

1994.0398.01

accession number

1994.0398

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Timex Sinclair 2068 Personal Computer

Description

Introduced in 1983 at a cost of $199.95, the Timex-Sinclair 2068 (TS 2068) was the fourth and last Sinclair personal computer sold in the US market. It followed the ZX-81 (marketed by Sinclair Research through an American branch), TS 1000, and TS 1500. It’s design also drew on Sinclair’s ZX Spectrum (the Spectrum was not marketed in the U.S.).

The TS 2068 used a Z80 processor that ran at 3.58 MHz. Its memory included 48 KB of RAM and 24 KB of ROM. A cassette recorder was used for external storage. Like the TS 1000, the 2068 included a BASIC interpreter to run programs. Additional functions had been added to handle more complex graphic and sound commands. The TS 2068 included a sound chip and speaker at the bottom of the computer and had a range of 10 octaves and 130 semitones directly programmable from BASIC. Users could buy a TS 2040 printer that was attached to an expansion port.

The TS 2068 was well equipped for playing games and, with the use of an appropriate cartridge, could be used with most software designed for the ZX Spectrum. The computer was generally used for entertainment, educational, and programming tutorials.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1980s

maker

Timex Computer Corporation

ID Number

2000.0205.01

catalog number

2000.0205.01

accession number

2000.0205

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Apple Lisa II Personal Computer

Description

The Apple Lisa introduced the graphic user interface (GUI) into the Apple Computer Corporation's line of personal computers. Instead of using only text-based commands, users could employ pictorial icons displayed on the screen to initiate operations. Officially, "Lisa" stood for "Local Integrated Software Architecture," but it was also the name of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' daughter. This computer was also Jobs "baby," as he championed its creation and believed it would revolutionize personal computing. Apple spent four years and $50 million to develop it, but it turned out to be a commercial flop, in large part because of the $10,000 per unit cost. Only 80,000 were eventually sold. The Lisa is most important historically as the computer that pioneered concepts later used in the far more successful Macintosh.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1983

maker

Apple Computer

ID Number

2005.0056.01

catalog number

2005.0056.01

accession number

2005.0056

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Commodore Amiga 500 Personal Computer

Description

In 1987, Commodore introduced the Amiga 500, also known as the A500, as an inexpensive version of a 16 bit multimedia home computer. The goal was to provide a machine that would compete successfully against other 16 bit machines, just as the Commodore 64 had outsold many competitive 8 bit computers. The A500 did sell well against the Atari 520ST and was the low end successor of the Amiga 1000.

The A500 used a Motorola 68000 microprocessor that ran at 7.14 MHz and had 256 KB of ROM and 512 KB of RAM, which was expandable to 9MB. The Amiga 500 used a special system for its RAM configuration. It had 512 KB of Chip RAM, which could be accessed by the sound and video custom chip, and FAST RAM, which could only be accessed only by the CPU.

The Amiga 500 was followed by the Amiga 500+. It doubled the amount of the A500s Chip RAM to 1 MB. Both versions could be connected to a TV set or to a video monitor. The A500 computers were the best selling in the Amiga series. Besides doing well in the United States, they also were popular in Europe. Many users favored the Amiga because, in addition to being inexpensive, it had excellent graphics and sound capability for a computer of its era.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1987

maker

Commodore Business Machines, Inc.

ID Number

2001.0186.03

catalog number

2001.0186.03

accession number

2001.0186

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Apple IIGS Personal Computer

Description

The computers in the Apple II family were among the most popular personal computers in the late 1970s and 1980s. The last model and most impressive of the Apple II family was the Apple II GS (GS=graphics + sound). When it was released in September of 1986—Apple's 10th anniversary—at the price of $999 (without a monitor—or $1498 with an RGB monitor), the Apple II GS competed against other computers such as the Commodore Amiga and the Atari ST.

The Apple II GS used the Western Design Center 65816 16 bit microprocessor, which ran at 2.8 Mhz. It had 256 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 8 MB. There were seven slots to accommodate an expansion of memory. It was the first computer to utilize the Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) which linked standard input device such as keyboards, mice, and graphics tablets. This made it possible for Apple to sell a single set of peripherals that both the Apple Computer and later the Macintosh could use. The IIGS display had a 600 X 200 pixel mode with 2-bit palletized cooler and a 320 X 200 pixel mode with a 4-bit palletized color. The Apple II GS could display 256 colors on the screen. Its ProDOS 16 as system software allowed users to handle any number of open files at the same time.

The IIGS seemed well positioned to capture a large market. However, by the time it was released, Apple was putting its energy into developing the Macintosh and the IIGS suffered from limited marketing. Apple discontinued the line in December 1992.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1986

maker

Apple Computer

ID Number

1998.0199.01

catalog number

1998.0199.01

accession number

1998.0199

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Exidy Sorcerer Personal Computer

Description

Exidy, a leading manufacturer of home and arcade video games, introduced its Sorcerer home computer in 1978. The Sorcer used a Z-80 processor that ran at 2.106 MHz and came with 8 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 32 KB. It ran the CP/M operating system. It sold for $898 with 8 KB of RAM, $1150 with 16 KB of RAM, and $1395 with 32 KB of RAM. It also contained 4 K of ROM. Programs were loaded with plug-in ROM cartridges, and the machine came with a standard BASIC cartridge. This was essentially the common Microsoft BASIC already widely used in the CP/M world. But Exidy added a number of one-stroke commands that allowed users to type in common instructions such as PRINT with a single keystroke. Another popular cartridge contained an early version of the word processor Spellbinder. Users could connect the machine to a standard TV, but the company also offered its own Exidy "Video/Disk" monitor for $2,995.

Judged against its competitors, the Commodore PET and Radio Shack TRS-80, the Sorcerer was comparatively advanced when it appeared. Due to a lack of marketing in the United States, however, it did not sell well there. It did better in Europe and Australia. Exidy took the machine off the market in 1980.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1978-1980

maker

Exidy, Inc.

ID Number

1993.0546.01

catalog number

1993.0546.01

accession number

1993.0546

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Commodore Plus/4 Personal Computer

Description

Commodore International announced the Commodore Plus/4 in January 1984 as the Commodore 264. It was a more powerful sequel to the highly successful Commodore 64. The original concept was to sell the 264 in one of several different configurations. The consumer would select the type of application software they wanted to build in their computer, and the dealer would install the appropriate ROM chip. By the summer of 1984 this concept was abandoned. The name was changed to Plus/4, the computer was sold at the cost of $299, and all applications were added at the factory.

The Plus/4 was billed as the: "productivity computer with software built in." The Plus/4 has a MOS processor which ran at 1.76 MHz. It contained 64 KB of RAM and 64 KB of ROM. The Plus/4 had a built in MOS Technology 6551 UART chip which allowed the Plus/4 to use high speed modems without additional software. The computer included Commodore BASIC 3.5 and such software applications as a word processor, spreadsheet, database, and graphing. Inclusion of these four applications led to the computer being called the "Plus/4."

The machine was discontinued in 1985 when it failed to achieve the company's sales goals.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1984-1985

maker

Commodore Business Machines, Inc.

ID Number

2000.0232.01

catalog number

2000.0232.01

accession number

2000.0232

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Digital Equipment Rainbow 100 Computer

Description

In the early 1980s, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) was the second largest computer company in the United States, following IBM, and was the leading producer of minicomputers. DEC had missed the initial development of personal computers, but decided to enter the market with a 16 bit machine. In 1982, it introduced the DEC Rainbow 100, for a price of $2,500.

The Rainbow 100 had both a Z-80 and an Intel 8088 microprocessor that ran at 4 MHz. It had 64 KB or RAM and 24 KB of ROM and had two built in floppy drives that could accommodate 400 KB single-sided quad density disk. It had three operating systems: MS-DOS, CP/M-86, and CP/M. Users made a selection by a menu at boot time. The Rainbow could be used for word processing, spreadsheets, and games, although it had a monochrome screen. In addition to operating as a stand-alone computer, the Rainbow worked effectively as a VT-100 or VT-220 terminal emulator on larger machines, such as DEC's minicomputers. Although the Rainbow was a powerful and effective personal computer, it was not fully compatible with IBM systems, and eventually was overshadowed and undersold by IBM clones.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1982

maker

Digital Equipment Corporation

ID Number

1994.0078.01.1

accession number

1994.0078

catalog number

1994.0078.01.1

Data Source

National Museum of American History

CompuPro S-100 Personal Computer

Description

Introduced in March of 1983, the CompuPro S-100 system was one of the last and most expensive CP/M systems that appeared. It was a very flexible system that could accommodate a wide range of S-100 bus cards built by a wide range of manufacturers.

Compupro itself manufactured a large number of S-100 cards. Its S-100 system could be fitted with either 8-bit and/or 16-bit processor cards. One of the best-selling cards was a dual processor 8808 + 8085. This allowed running both 8 bit CP/M and 16 bit MP/M software at a speed of 2 or 5 MHz in a multitasking environment.

The CompuPro S-100 included several cards from 8088 + 8085 to Z80 to 80286 at a speed of 4 MHz and up. There are 2 8" floppy disk drives. The three major options for operating systems were CP/M, CP/M-86, and MP/M. The machine had 16 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 1 MB. Depending on how the computer was configured, its price ranged from around $5,500 up to almost $20,000.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1983

maker

CompuPro

ID Number

1989.0070.01.01

catalog number

1989.0070.01.1

accession number

1989.0070

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Apple Macintosh Personal Computer

Description

The Apple Macintosh introduced a graphic user interface (GUI) to the Apple line of computers. The idea had originated at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center in the 1970s, but Xerox was slow to commercialize it. Apple proved far more successful when it introduced the Macintosh in January 1984, with a splashy television advertisement during the Superbowl. The original price was around $2,500.

Instead of typing out names of programs on command lines, users with a GUI could click "icons," or pictures that represented the programs they wanted to run. They could also execute functions like saving, moving, or deleting files by clicking and dragging the icons around the screen with a pointing device called a mouse. Apple's version of the mouse had a single button, which became an Apple standard. The first Macintosh had only 128K RAM, and users quickly found this insufficient. The Macintosh 512 KB, nicknamed "Fat Mac," was introduced in September 1984. It gave users four times as much memory, and allowed them to keep several major programs open simultaneously. The vertical processor case and 9" monochrome screen were distinguishing features of all the early Macintosh line.

The Macintosh 512 KB contained a Motorola 68000 microprocessor which ran at 8 MHz. It contained 512 KB of RAM and 64 KB of ROM and initially had a 400 KB Floppy disk drive. Applications included MacWrite, a word processor, and MacPaint, a drawing program that turned the mouse into a paintbrush. Shortly after the 512 KB appeared, Apple also introduced a LaserWriter printer, which enabled desktop publishing for individuals and small businesses. Over time, Apple computers would appeal most strongly to artists and designers, while the IBM/DOS line of computers sold better in business markets.

After selling hundreds of thousands of units, Apple discontinued the "Mac Classic" line of computers in April 1986.

Date made

1984

maker

Apple Computer

ID Number

1985.0118.01

catalog number

1985.0118.01

accession number

1985.0118

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Timex Sinclair 1000 Personal Computer

Description

The Timex/Sinclair 1000 was the U.S. version of the Sinclair ZX-81, which was made by Sinclair Research, Ltd. One of the earliest versions of the home computer, the TS-1000 hit stores in 1981. At $99 it was certainly one of the most affordable early machines, and Timex sold over 600,000. Its introduction caused other companies to lower their prices and include more features in their computers in order to compete.

The size of a book and weighing 20 ounces, the Timex/Sinclair used a television set as a monitor. Data was stored on cassette tape. The processor was a Z80A microchip running at 3.5 MHz, and the ROM was 8 KB (the earliest version had only 1 KB). The computer keyboard was flat and the keys used black characters on a white background. The Timex could be used around the home for such tasks as budget management, checkbook balancing, and entertainment, but the limitations of the machine made tasks rudimentary. Users could also write programs in BASIC. Accessories included a small "adding machine" type printer and a 16 KB RAM drive. Purchasers of it could also buy pre-programmed cassettes, among them BASIC versions of games such as space invaders.

This particular computer was given to the Smithsonian by Daniel Ross, Vice-President of Computer Products of the Timex Computer Corporation. It was one of a series of TS-1000s donated to science museums across the United States.

Despite brisk sales, Timex dropped out of the computer market in the spring of 1984.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1981-1984

maker

Timex Computer Corporation

ID Number

1983.0289.01

catalog number

1983.0289.01

accession number

1983.0289

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Texas Instruments Model 99/4A Personal Computer

Description

When the TI-99/4a was introduced in 1981, Texas Instruments claimed it was both "a major breakthrough in computer technology," and, probably more important, the "lowest priced, 16-bit computer available." It cost only $525. The TI 99/4a was a redesign of the TI-99/4 system, which had been a market failure and was discontinued. The new machine sold well, but by August 1982, TI was falling behind its competitors, especially Commodore. So it began offering a $100 rebate on the TI-99/4a. It quickly became the best-selling home computer in America, controlling, by the end of 1982, approximately 35% of the market--150,000 machines a month.

In February 1983, TI cut the price to $150, and then in June 1983, it offered a plastic version of the TI-99/4a for less than $100. But now it had gone too far. It was selling computers for less than cost, resulting in a second quarter loss of $100 million.

The TI-99/4a operated on a TI TMS99000 at 3 MHz and included 16 KB of RAM and 26 KB of ROM. The computer included a RS-232 interface card and a 32K memory expansion card as well as a Data Storage cassette. Texas Instruments controlled the development of software for the machine and offered only around 300 titles. These did not include many of the most popular programs of the time.

Initially, the only way to expand the machine was to use a port on the right side of the console. Peripherals could extend out several feet. To remedy the situation TI released a more convenient Peripheral Expansion Box (PEB) and, surprisingly, sold 250,000 units at $1,475.00 each--far more than the cost of the computer.

Eventually Texas Instruments sold over 2.5 million units of the TI-99/4A. However the company decided that computers were not a promising business and dropped out of the PC market in 1984.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1981-1984

maker

Texas Instruments

ID Number

1990.0494.01

catalog number

1990.0494.01

accession number

1990.0494

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Apple II Personal Computer

Description

In 1976, computer pioneers Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs began selling their Apple I computer in kit form to computer stores. By August of that year, Wozniak started designing an improved version, the Apple II. Wozniak and Jobs demonstrated a prototype in December, and then introduced it to the public in April 1977. The Apple II started the boom in personal computer sales in the late 1970s, and pushed Apple into the lead among personal computer makers.

The Apple II used a MOS 6502 chip for its central processing unit. It came with 4 KB RAM, but could be extended up to 48 KB RAM. It included a BASIC interpreter and could support graphics and a color monitor. External storage was originally on cassette tape, but later Apple introduced an external floppy disk drive. Among the Apple II's most important features were its 8 expansion slots on the motherboard. These allowed hobbyists to add additional cards made by Apple and many other vendors who quickly sprung up. The boards included floppy disk controllers, SCSI cards, video cards, and CP/M or PASCAL emulator cards.

In 1979 Software Arts introduced the first computer spreadsheet, Visicalc for the Apple II. This "killer application" was extremely popular and fostered extensive sales of the Apple II.

The Apple II went through several improvements and upgrades. By 1984, when the Macintosh appeared, over 2 million Apple II computers had been sold.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1977-1987

date made

1980

maker

Apple Computer

ID Number

1990.0167.01.1

catalog number

1990.0167.01.1

accession number

1990.0167

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Apple Macintosh Mouse

Description

Invented in 1963, the mouse improved interactions with computers. However, not until 1984, when Apple Computers introduced the Macintosh and its graphical user interface, did the mouse become a standard computer component.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1984

maker

Apple Computer

ID Number

1985.3011.01.1

catalog number

1985.3011.01.1

nonaccession number

1985.3011

Data Source

National Museum of American History

IBM PCjr Personal Computer

Description

After the success of the IBM's business PC, IBM attempted to capture the home market with the IBM PCjr. The PCjr system was compact, low cost, and designed for applications related to learning, entertainment, and personal productivity.

The computer had an Intel 8088 microprocessor that ran at 4.77 MHz–faster than most systems on the market at the time. It 64 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 256 KB and later to 720 KB with third party add-ons. It featured an internal 5 1/4" floppy drive and a wireless keyboard. King's Quest, a popular Adventure game of the 1980s, debuted on the PCjr.

Despite a flashy debut and a strong technology core, the PCjr flopped in the market. Consumers were not as attracted by the IBM name as business had been. Price was a major factor. The PCjr cost about the same as the Coleco Adam, but for the price, the Adam included two tape drives, a printer, and software. The PCJr was twice as expensive as the Commodore 64. With the exception of the Apple II, it was possible to purchase a complete system (computer, disk drive, and printer) from almost any of IBM's competitors for less money. However, criticism of the system focused on the "chiclet" keyboard. Similar to that of a pocket calculator, the small keys were cheap and difficult to use for touch typing. IBM later replaced this with a wireless conventional-sized keyboard. But it could only be used two or three feet away from the machine and drained batteries quickly.

Announced in November 1983 and available in March 1984, IBM sold the PCJr for $669 with 64 KB RAM, and $1,269 for 128 KB RAM. The more expensive system also included a floppy-disk drive. IBM discontinued the PCjr in March of 1985 after selling only approximately 270,000 units.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1983

maker

IBM

ID Number

2002.0090.01

catalog number

2002.0090.01

accession number

2002.0090

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Franklin Ace 1200 Personal Computer

Description

The Franklin Ace 1200 was one of the Franklin Corporation models of Apple II clones made for sale in the United States. It was an upgrade of the Franklin 1000. It was compatible with Apple II computers, but could also run the CP/M operating system.

The Franklin ACE 1200 had a MOS/Commodore 6502 microprocessor that ran at 1 MHz. It contained 48 KB of RAM and 16 KB of ROM and dual 5 ¼" floppy drives. The Ace 1200 came out between Apple II+ and the Apple //e. It included a CP/M card, a disk controller card, an 80 column card, and a dual serial/parallel card that was software interchangeable. The printer card caused problems because many applications did not recognize it.

The Franklin Ace 1200 was introduced in 1983 for the price of $2,200. The Franklin series was ended after Franklin lost a legal battle with Apple.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1983

maker

Franklin Computer Corporation

ID Number

2002.0157.01

accession number

2002.0157

catalog number

2002.0157.01

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Kaypro IV Portable Computer

Description

Kaypro was a manufacturer of portable microcomputers running the CP/M operating system. Its first commercial model, Kaypro II, was launched in 1982. The Kaypro IV was introduced in 1983. Surprisingly, it is not the same as the Kaypro 4, which was released in 1984.

The Kaypro IV was basically a Kaypro II with added Double Sided/Double Density Drives. It had a Z80 microprocessor that ran at 2.5 MHz. The memory included 64 KB of RAM and 2 KB of ROM. Kaypro IV had a 9" monochrome monitor and a built-in speaker. The operating system was CP/M 2.2. The Kaypro IV included the word processor Wordstar, which was included in the Perfect Software Suite.

The introduction of the IBM PC in 1981 led to the rapid growth in popularity of the MS-DOS operating system for personal computers. Software developers migrated to writing for MS-DOS instead of CP/M. Kaypro was slow to make the transition in their machines, and the company never gained the kind of prominence in the MS-DOS arena that it had enjoyed with CP/M. A prime competitor for the MS-DOS portable market was Compaq, which sold an "all in one" computer that was similar to its own CP/M portable. In March 1990 Kaypro filed for bankruptcy.

This Kaypro IV was purchased with funds from a research grant obtained by Robert M. Smith, of the Department of Space History of the National Air and Space Museum. Smith's book, The Space Telescope, was written in part on this computer.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

1983

maker

Kaypro Corporation

ID Number

1992.0522.01

catalog number

1992.0522.01

accession number

1992.0522

Data Source

National Museum of American History