NABU 1600 Desktop Computer
subject: hardware: desktop computer
description: Historical Context NABU Manufacturing (incorporated in June 1981 in Ottawa) was created through the amalgamation of three companies: Bruce Instruments Ltd. (manufacturer of cable TV converters based in Almonte), MFC Microsystems International Inc. (a distributor of computer hardware and software for small business systems), and Computer Innovations Ltd. (which operated computer retail stores across Canada). Soon after, the company acquired Andicom Technical Products Ltd. (a manufacturer of small business computers based in Toronto), Consolidated Computer Inc. (a manufacturer and distributor of key-edit systems), Mobius Software Ltd. (an Ottawa-based software consulting company), and Volker-Craig (a Kitchener-based manufacturer of video-display terminals). NABU's business plan was to capture a sizable share of the microcomputer market by offering the world's first cable-ready computers and by implementing a novel system for electronic delivery of software and information to home computer users -- the NABU Network. The company announced its network during the 1982 National Cable & Telecommunications Association conference in Las Vegas. In May 1983, the company transmitted its programming via satellite from Ottawa to terminals installed at the 26th Annual Convention of the Canadian Cable Television Association in Calgary. The NABU Network was officially launched on 15 October 1983 on Ottawa Cablevision, an 85,000-subscriber company where much of NABU's testing was performed. Soon thereafter, the network made its US debut in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tribune Cable, a 5,000 subscriber service. The launch marked the creation of the first commercial computer network to provide high-speed access to information, software, and digital entertainment directly to homes of personal computer users. While NABU's focus was on cable TV-based delivery of software and data, the company also designed and sold desktop and workstation computers. One of such computers was the NABU 1600 desi…
creator: NABU Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp.
type: Hardware
coverage: 1981-1986

NABU Network Publications
subject: NABU Network magazines and newsletters
description: Historical context The growing popularity of home and personal computing in the late 1970s and early 1980s created a vibrant software industry supplying microcomputer users with a vast range of software products. During that period, the main form of the commercial microcomputer software distribution was packaged software sold in computer stores and outlets in the form of ROM cartridges, tape cassettes, and floppy diskettes. Even though the prices of personal and home computers were falling sharply in the early 1980s, the cost of good quality software remained the same reflecting, in part, high distribution costs. Electronic distribution of software directly into homes of computer owners originated in the second half of the 1970s. It was a novel, fast, and cost-effective alternative to packaged software's expensive, long, and multi-stage delivery process. A computer or a video game console owner could subscribe to an electronic distribution of software service (EDS service) that and gain an electronic access to software and data for a low monthly fee (of, approximately, the cost of a single commercial packaged software). By the early 1980s, several North American and European companies were already distributing software using common communication links (such radio waves, cable television (CATV), or telephone networks). While Europe was experimenting with EDS via teletext and videotex television services, several North American companies were looking into using CATV's superior high-speed digital information delivery capability for the purpose of mass-market distribution of home and recreational software. By the early 1980s, a large percentage of urban households in North America had a direct link to cable TV. Furthermore, a strong growth of the home computer and video game console markets was projected until at least mid-1980s. Such forecasts supported the prospects of vast new sources of revenues for cable providers derived from bundling EDS with other CATV-based non…
creator: NABU Manufacturing Corporation
date: 1983
relation: NABU Adaptor, NABU Network collection
format: Hardware
type: Hardware
coverage: 1983-1986, Ottawa (Canada), Sowa (Japan)

NABU Personal Computer
subject: hardware: personal computer
description: Historical Context The whole crew is instilled with the fervent enthusiasm of Those Who Have Seen The Light. On everyone's lips is the sacred name of the ancient Babylonian god of writing. NABU. Bringer of wisdom and understanding. NABU. Bringer of great pots of money. [P. Kinsman, NABU, NABU! One More Time From the Top, Enterprise, July 1981] The growing popularity of home and personal computing in the late 1970s and early 1980s created a vibrant software industry supplying microcomputer users with a vast range of software products. During that period, the main form of the commercial microcomputer software distribution was packaged software sold in computer stores and outlets in the form of ROM cartridges, tape cassettes, and floppy diskettes. Even though the prices of personal and home computers were falling sharply in the early 1980s, the cost of good quality software remained the same reflecting, in part, high distribution costs. Electronic distribution of software directly into homes of computer owners originated in the second half of the 1970s. It was a novel, fast, and cost-effective alternative to packaged software's expensive, long, and multi-stage delivery process. A computer or a video game console owner could subscribe to an electronic distribution of software service (EDS service) that and gain an electronic access to software and data for a low monthly fee (of, approximately, the cost of a single commercial packaged software). By the early 1980s, several North American and European companies were already distributing software using common communication links (such radio waves, cable television (CATV), or telephone networks). While Europe was experimenting with EDS via teletext and videotex television services, several North American companies were looking into using CATV's superior high-speed digital information delivery capability for the purpose of mass-market distribution of home and recreational software. By the early 1980s, a large percentage of u…
creator: NABU Network Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp.
date: 1982--1986
coverage: 1983-1986, Ottawa (Canada), Alexandria (US), and Sowa (Japan)

Nelma Persona
subject: hardware: desktop computer
description: Historical Context: Nelma Data Corporation was a desktop computer manufacturer based in Mississauga Ontario. In 1982, the company announced its Persona desktop computer (the NDC 100 Persona). In Fall 1983, the computer was shown at computer expo trade show COMDEX'83 held in Las Vegas, and advertised as "the professional small business computer." The Persona was distributed through ComputerLand which, at that time, was possibly the world’s largest computer retail chain. Since its introduction in August 1981, the IBM Personal Computer (model 5150, commonly referred to as the IBM PC) had been rapidly gaining in popularity despite the fact that it operated under little known DOS operating system from Microsoft instead of the popular CP/M operating system from Digital Research. The main idea behind the Persona's development was to offer an affordable desktop computer with capabilities (and appearance) similar to that of the IBM PC but running CP/M instead of DOS. Later, to deal with the popularity of the IBM PC and rapidly expanding IBM PC clone market, Nelma offered a hardware kit to turn the Persona into an IBM PC compatible computer. The Nelma Persona was designed by Jose Laraya -- the same engineer who in the early 1970s was leading the design of the MCM/70 personal computer at Micro Computer Machines of Toronto. Technical specifications: CPU: Zilog Z80A RAM: 64Kb external storage: two 180Kb floppy drives ports: serial and parallel keyboard: QWERTY-style, detachable, with keypad and 11 program function keys display: a stand alone 12 inch CRT, monochrome (green) Nelma offered a range of optional hardware for Persona including: Intel 8086 processor kit 360Kb floppy diskette drives 10Mb Winchester hard drive additional 64Kb or 128Kb RAM high resolution color graphics Software: CP/M operating system version 2.2, Digital Research WordStar word processor, MicroPro MailMerge mailing list handler, MicroPro CalcStar spreadsheet, MicroPro InfoStar database, MicroPro SpellStar …
creator: Nelma Data Corporation
date: 1982
coverage: North America

NDS-1000 Word Processor
subject: hardware: word processor
description: The NDS-1000 (also know as the Pancake) was a microprocessor-based word processor and communication system designed and manufactured by Network Data Systems between 1978 and 1985. The NDS-1000 consisted of a CPU unit (built around the Zilog Z80 microprocessor), Olivetti electric typewriter (Olivetti)), monitor, and diskette drives (5.25 inch). The museum has an NDS-1000, model 1000, serial number 00202-01.
creator: Network Data Systems (NDS)
date: 1977-1985
format: Hardware
type: Hardware
coverage: 1977-1985

Northern Telecom Displayphone
subject: hardware: displayphone
description: Historical context By Z. Stachniak with input from D. Cuddy In February 1981, telecommunications giant Northern Telecom announced the Displayphone – a landmark office automation product designed to integrate voice and data in a convenient, easy-to-use desktop unit. The January 1988 Datapro Research Corporation's report described the Displayphone as a device that: opened up the integrated voice/data terminal market [...] The first commercially available device of this kind, the Displayphone [...] attracted a great deal of attention in the computer industry, particularly among workstation vendors. Many vendors were interested in bringing their products to executive desks; thus the Displayphone was a factor in the emergence of a new class of equipment – executive/professional workstation. The Displayphone was developed by Bell-Northern Research in Ottawa and manufactured by Northern Telecom. Its first model–the NT6K00–was a small desktop terminal with a handset, speakerphone, an integrated 300 bps modem, built-in 7-inch monochrome display, dial and screen pad, and five soft keys. A retractable QWERTY-style keyboard was stored within the unit's base. The device could operate with two independent phone lines for simultaneously handling voice and data calls which allowed users to talk on the phone while accessing and viewing information from remote dial-up data services. In addition, the unit could be used as a data terminal connected to a local computer via the RS 232C port. It could also access database services via an external modem and drive a printer through a parallel I/O interface. The Displayphone featured a 90-number telephone directory, on-hook as well as automatic and hands-free dialing, last number redial, a recall work list and call hold. Other features available were a continuous day/date clock, a telephone call timer, and a reminder service that brought messages to the user's attention. The user interace was designed for ease of use, with context-sensitive …
creator: Northern Telecom
coverage: North America, 1980s.

Commodore C108 calculator
subject: hardware: electronic desktop calculator
description: Historical context Commodore International Ltd. (or Commodore) was one of the world's largest manufacturers of electronic hand-held calculators as well as home, educational, and business microcomputers. It was best known for its popular personal computers including the PET line of personal desktops as well as the VIC-20, Commodore 64, and the Amiga computers. It was founded on October 10, 1958 as Commodore Portable Typewriter Company Limited in Toronto, Ontario. Two years later, the company incorporated its Commodore Business Machines subsidiary in New York. In 1976, Commodore reorganized its corporate structure as Commodore International Ltd. and moved its financial headquarters to the Bahamas and the operations headquarters to Pennsylvania. The restructured company encompassed several entities world-wide including Commodore Business Machines Ltd., Canada. In 1947, the company's founder—Jack Tramiel—emigrated from Poland to the US. During his US army service (1948-51) he gained considerable experience in repairing office equipment which he turned into business in his civilian life, first in Bronx, New York, and later in Toronto, Canada, where he moved in 1955. His Toronto business was initially focused on repairs and selling licensed typewriters, adding machines, and other office equipment. Initially located at 2 Toronto Street, in the city's downtown core, a short distance from the IBM Toronto Downtown Office, the company relocated several times before establishing its headquarters at 946 Warden Ave, Scarborough, Ont. During the 1960s the scope of Commodore's business expanded to office furniture as well as to electric and eventually electronic calculators. The first Commodore-branded adding machine was the model C mechanical calculator manufactured by a Czechoslovakian company Nisa and sold by Commodore around 1960. The first exclusive Commodore adding machine—the 202—was announced in 1967. The following year, the company began to turn its focus toward electronic…
creator: Omron Tateishi Electronic Co. and Commodore Business Machines
date: 1971
coverage: North America, Europe, 1970s

SBC6809 Lab-mate computer
subject: computer hardware
description: Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) In April 1972, Intel Corp. of Santa Clara, CA, announced its first 8-bit microprocessor, the 8008. Shortly after, the company introduced the 8008-powered SIM8-01 single-board computer designed as a trainer and a software development system for the 8008-based applications. The introduction of this novel hardware marked more than just a leap in microprogrammable controller technology. Within months, prototypes of the first general-purpose computers powered by the 8008 chip were operational on-site at the French company Réalisations et Études Électroniques located in the suburbs of Paris and at Micro Computer Machines with headquarters situated on the outskirts of Toronto. The SIM8-01 board generated the first wave of computer hobby activities in North America. It also became an educational tool that enabled electrical engineering students to gain a deep understanding and appreciation of this new microprocessor technology. In 1973, the SIM8-01 board became the primary hardware at the newly established digital design labs at the University of Maryland and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. These labs broadened the digital system design curriculum, introducing students to microprocessor technology recognized as a crucial component in computer engineering education. Other universities opted for various microprocessor development and demonstration systems, such as the Motorola MEK6800 single-board computer introduced in 1975, or developed and constructed their own hardware to support their microprocessor laboratories. The SBC 6809 Lab-mate The SBC 6809 Lab-mate single-board computer was designed by Peter Bubonja, research associate in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Toronto (U of T), between 1984 and 85. The computer was designed and developed at the U of T Power Group computer applications lab to enhance the capabilities of the U of T M6809 single-board computer designed at the university in 1979 and s…
creator: Peter Bubonja
date: 1986

Early Computing at York University -- Photographs
subject: computing infrastructure: photographs
description: Historical context: Academic computing in Canada started to develop in the early 1950s. The first commercial digital electronic computer—a Ferranti Mark I (nicknamed FERRUT)—was installed at the University of Toronto in 1952. For several years, FERRUT was the only digital electronic computer operated by a Canadian university. In 1957, the University of British Columbia installed its first computer—the ALWWAC III-E—and the University of Alberta its LGP-30 computer. York University was established in 1959 at a time when there were just 40 electronic digital computers working in the entire Canada. However, it was not until October 1966 when York installed its first computer—the IBM System \360 Model 30—and established its Computation Center. The computer was replaced by a more powerful IBM System/360 Model 40, and then by Model 50 in the following two years. In 1971, York installed an IBM System/370 Model 155 — a computer from a new line of IBM mainframes. This computer, in turn, was replaced by a high-end Model 158 in the mid 1970s. The photographs in this collection were taken in the early to mid 1970s. They depict the computing room of York's Computation Center as well as students' keypunch room. Identity of photographers not currently known. The photograph descriptions from top to bottom, left to right: IBM System/370 with an IBM 3215 Console Printer-Keyboard at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), IBM System/370 with an IBM 3215 Console Printer-Keyboard at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), Memorex 660 Disk Drive storage at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), IBM 3420 tape drive systems at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), IBM 1403 printer (foreground), IBM 3705A communications controller (background left) and IBM 3420 tape drives (background front) at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), HP 2000 computer operator at York's Computer Center; on the right, an HP 2000 computer (mid 1970s?), IBM System/370 Model 158 operator at computer's terminal at York's Comp…
creator: photographer unknown
date: 1972 (?)
relation: York University
format: digital image of photographs
type: digital image
coverage: York University, Toronto, 1972-1973

The PRO-80 Computer
subject: Hardware: single-board computer
description: Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) PROTEC Microsystems Inc. (or PROTEC) was founded 1981 and incorporated in January 1982 in Point Clair, Quebec. The company's first products were single-board microcomputer kits. The PRO-80 kit was offered in 1981, the PRO-83 in 1984, and the Multi-Lab in 1984. All these computers were designed for the educational and computer hobby markets. In 1986, PROTEC switched its focus from single board computers to smart sharers -- devices that allowed computers to share peripherals. In the 2nd half of the 1990s, the company addressed the growing popularity of local area networks and the Internet by introducing its new generation of intelligent device sharers, including the WebShare, SOHOLink, and WebBeetle, to provide a shared access to these services. An extensive distribution networks in North America and Europe positioned PROTEC as a provider of choice for such devices. The WebShare was launched in 1996 at COMDEX/Fall in Las Vegas. It allowed two or three PCs to simultaneously access the Internet using a single modem, a single telephone line, and a single Internet account. The second version of this sherer, more compact and with optional integrated modem was announced during the PC Expo trade show in New York in June 1997. The SOHOLink was designed to meet the connectivity needs of a small business or a home office operating with multiple computing platforms. It integrated all the features of the WebShare but offered Ethernet ports for networking of up to six computers. Finally, the WebBeetle was developed to address the demand for Internet and fax access in a local network environment were the demand for such access was high across the network. The sherer was launch during COMDEX/Fall held in Las Vegas in 1998 PRO-80 Microcomputer The PRO-80 single-board computer kit was PROTEC's first product. Offered in 1981, it was distributed by, among other companies General Electronics of Willowdale, Ontario. According to the PRO-80 assembly man…
creator: Protec Microsystems Inc.
coverage: Canada, early 1980s