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 designed by NABU's Andicom brunch. It was a 16-bit multi-user, multi-tasking desktop business computer supporting up to three user terminals. It was released by NABU Manufacturing in 1982. The system consisted of the CPU unit, the mass storage unit, and up to four terminals (e.g. the NABU 4404 terminals). The NABU 1600 technical specifications: CPU: Intel 8086 at 4.916 MHz, floating-point co-processor: Intel 8087, RAM: 256 Kbytes expandable to 512 Kbytes, ROM: 8 Kbytes, mass storage unit: two diskette or hard drives in a separate unit, hard drive: Seagate ST412, 10 Mbytes (formatted) with Western Digital WD 1001 disk controller, diskette drive: Tandon TM 100-4, diskettes: 5.25 inch, double-sided, double-density, 800 Kbytes, communications: synchronous, aynchronous, 4 RS 323C ports. Software: operating systems: MS-DOS, Xenix, and CP/M-86, programming languages: C, FORTRAN, BASIC, Pasal, COBOL, applications: DOC text editor, Q-Mail (mail software), Q-Spell (spell checker), electronic spreadsheet, accounting, database management.
NABU Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp.
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 nonprogramming services. The NABU Network was possibly the most advanced and foremost among the early CATV-based EDS services. It was a brainchild of a Canadian entrepreneur John Kelly. The NABU Manufacturing Corp., which would spawn the NABU Network Corp., was incorporated in June 1981. It was initially 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, NABU Manufacturing 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 new delivery method for software and information -- 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 transmission used the ANIK-D1 satellite, and it was a live feed from Ottawa. 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. The network was based on the concept of computers linked to cable television networks which could supply a constant stream of computer programs and information to almost unlimited number of users at high speed. The network provided its subscribers with a multi tier service that offered software and information in a range of categories, including entertainment, education, family information, home management, and a network guide. The November-December 1984 issue of The NABU Network magazine lists over 140 titles available on Ottawa Cablevision's NABU Network. In Ottawa, NABU program listings were available online (on NABU's Network Guide) as well as in local newspapers and dedicated NABU magazines. Because of the company's financial difficulties, unfavourable market conditions, and regulatory constraints, the NABU Network went off the air on 31 August 1986 in both Ottawa and Alexandria. Rights to exploit commercial applications of NABU Network technology--that is, to selling the technology to corporations that could provide their own content--were vested in International Datacasting Corp. created in 1984. NABU and its employees published several magazines and newsletters. The museum has the following publications: The NABU Network magazine (NABU Network, monthly); holdings: November and December 1984, The Changing Times (NABU Network, bi-monthly); holdings: January, March, and May 1985, The Hard Copy Newsletter (NABU Network, monthly); holdings: vol. 1, nr. 1, 2, 4, 1986, The Grunt Press (newsletter published by NABU employees, irregular); holdings: issuues 7-10, 1982; issues 11-13, 1983, The New Grunt Press (newsletter published by NABU employees, irregular); holdings: vol. 1-3, 5-20, 1984.
1983-1986, Ottawa (Canada), Sowa (Japan)
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 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 nonprogramming services. The NABU Network was possibly the most advanced and foremost among the early CATV-based EDS services. It was a brainchild of a Canadian entrepreneur John Kelly. The NABU Manufacturing Corp., which would spawn the NABU Network Corp., was incorporated in June 1981. It was initially 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, NABU Manufacturing 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 new delivery method for software and information -- 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 transmission used the ANIK-D1 satellite, and it was a live feed from Ottawa. 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. The network was based on the concept of computers linked to cable television networks which could supply a constant stream of computer programs and information to almost unlimited number of users at high speed. NABU considered cable television a uniquely ideal technology to deliver software and data to home computers because of its high bandwidth and networking capabilities. To access NABU Network, customers had to purchase or rent a NABU Personal Computer (NABU PC) and a network adaptor that provided an interface between the NABU PC and the CATV's dedicated channel. The network provided its subscribers with a multi tier service that offered software and information in a range of categories, including entertainment, education, family information, home management, and a network guide. The November-December 1984 issue of The NABU Network magazine lists over 140 titles available on Ottawa Cablevision's NABU Network. In Ottawa, NABU program listings were available online (on NABU's Network Guide) as well as in local newspapers and dedicated NABU magazines. The NABU PC could be operated as a stand-alone desktop computer. For this purpose, NABU supplied its customers with Digital Research CP/M 3 operating system and floppy disk drives. Because of the company's financial difficulties, unfavourable market conditions, and regulatory constraints, the NABU Network went off the air on 31 August 1986 in both Ottawa and Alexandria. Rights to exploit commercial applications of NABU Network technology--that is, to selling the technology to corporations that could provide their own content--were vested in International Datacasting Corp. created in 1984. References: Stachniak, Z. Early Commercial Electronic Distribution of Software, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, January-March (2014), pp. 39-51. The NABU PC technical specifications: CPU - ZILOG Z80A, 8-bit, 3.58MHz clock speed, RAM - 64Kb, NPC's main memory under the CPU's control, RAM - 16Kb, video display memory under the video processor's control, ROM - 4K or 8K (hosting software for bootstrap, self-test, and initialization), video processor - Texas Instruments TMS 9918A, sound generator - General Instrument AY-3-8910 programmable sound generator, external storage - floppy diskette drives; a floppy drive controller was required to be installed in one of the expansion, expansion ports - four 30-pin, keyboard - 66 key QWERTY-style (including 8 cursor and control as well as "YES" and "NO" keys), detachable, microprocessor-controlled, features two game controller connectors, game controllers - up to two controllers connected to the keyboard via DB-9 connectors; 8 position and fire button control, display - 24 lines of 40 characters, 16 colors (including transparent); requires a dedicated computer monitor or a television set connected via RF modulator, ports/connectors - serial EIA RS422 Adaptor interface, 8-bit parallel printer port (15-pin), EIA RS422 keyboard connector (6-PIN DIN), video connector (RCA phono jack), audio connector (RCA phono jack), cable IN ad OUT connectors (type F), data transmission rate - 6.312 Mbits. The NABU PC systems software: NABU BDOS - NABU Basic Downloadable Operating System, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986 XIOS1 - Extended Internal Operating Software, module 1, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986 XIOS2 - Extended Internal Operating Software, module 2, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986 Disk Utilities for NABU floppy disk drive, Digital Research, 1983 and NABU Network Corp., 1983 RAM test utility program, NABU Network Corp., 198? NABU Network applications and information programs in the museum's collection title category creator ALPHABLAST II game NABU Network Corp., 1982 ALPHA LAB LOGO educational program unknown ANGLE TANGLE LOGO educational program unknown ANTARCTIC VENTURE game Konami, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 ANTONYM ANTICS educational game NABU Network Corp., 1984 AQUATTACK game Interphase Technologies Inc., 1984 ATMOSPHERE educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 ATOMS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 BACKGAMMON game NABU Network Corp., 1982 BIORHYTHMS game NABU Network Corp., 1982 BEEVADERS LOGO game unknown B.C. MATCH UP game NABU Network Corp., 1982 B.C. TRIVIA game NABU Network Corp., 1982 CAPACITORS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 CFONT office program SoftCraft, 1982 CHECKERS game NABU Network Corp., 1984 CHINESE HOROSCOPES game NABU Network Corp., 1982 CIRCUS CHARLIE game NABU Network Corp., 1984 CIRCUIT educational program NABU Network Corp., 1982 COMPUTER GLOSSARY information program NABU Network Corp., 1983 CORRECT-IT educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 CYCLONS game Syntax Software Inc., 1983 DARTS AND BALLOONS LOGO educational game unknown DECIMALS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 DEFINITION educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 DEPOT game NABU Network Corp., 1983 EFONT Edit office program SoftCraft, 1982 EMBASSY CAPER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 FANCY FONT TUTOR information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 FLIP AND FLOP game First Star Software, 1983; NABU Network Corp., 1984 FRACTIONS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 FRENCH VERBS I eduactional program Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 FROGGEE game Commercial Data Systems Ltd., 1982 GRAMMAR educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 HEAVYWAIGHT BOXING game Takara/Hal, 1983 HERBS & SPICE 1 information program 605477 Ontario Inc., 1985 HERBS & SPICE 2 information program 605477 Ontario Inc., 1985 HYPER SPORTS game Konami, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 INTERVALS educational program Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 KEYBOARD educational program Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 KIDDY PARK game NABU Network Corp., 1984 KNOW-IT-ALL information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 LASER ATTACK game NABU Network Corp., 1983 LEARNING LETTERS educational program Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 LEARNING NUMBERS educational program Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 LOGO ACTIVITY HELP information program NABU Network Corp., 1983 LOGO PREVIEW information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 LOGO REFERENCE information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 MACBETH game NABU Network Corp., 1983 MAKE UP educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 MANIA game NABU Network Corp, 1983 MATH ATTACK LOGO educational game unknown MATH PUZZLE game NABU Network Corp., 1984 MATH QUIZ educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 MAZE CRAZE LOGO game unknown METRIC CONVERTER educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 METRO BLITZ game Cymbal Software Inc, 1983 MINERAL HUNT LOGO educational game unknown MINER 2049ER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 MIX-IT educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 MOONSWEEPER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 MORTGAGE CALC home management NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1982 MOTION AND FORCE educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984) MOTORCYCLE educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 MR. CHIN game Hal, 1984 MUMMY'S TOMB game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 MURDER MANSION game NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU BASIC V2.0 programming language unknown NABU BASIC TUTOR information program NABU Network Corp., 1984; code follows directory NABU CALC spreadsheet NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU CALC TUTOR information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU FILER database program NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU FILER TUTOR information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU LOGO, rev. 01 programming language LOGO Computer Systems Inc., 1983 NABU SPELLER office program NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU SPELLER TUTOR information program NABU 1984 NABU WRITER office program NABU Network Corp., 198 NABU WRITER TUTOR information program NABU Network Corp., 198 NEOCLYPS game Cymbal Software Inc, 1983 NIMBLE LOGO game unknown NOTES AND STAFF educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 NOUNS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 O CANADA LOGO educational game unknown PAINTPOT educational program unknown PARLOR POWER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 PERCENTAGES educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 PINBALL game John Allen, 1981 PING game NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1983 PLANETS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 PRINTER TUTORIAL information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 PROVINCES LOGO educational game unknown QA DIG DUG game Namco Ltd., NABU Network Corp., 1984 QA GALAXIAN game Namco Ltd., NABU Network Corp., 1983 QA PAC-MAN game NABU Network Corp., 1983, 1984 QUEST FOR TIRES game Sierra On-Line Inc., Sydney Development Corp., 1983 Q*BERT game NABU Network Corp., 1984 RENEGADE educational game NABU Network Corp., 1983 RESISTORS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 ROULETTE game NABU Network Corp., 1983 RUNES game NABU Network Corp., 1984 SARGON II CHESS game Dan and Kathleen, Hayden Book Comp. Inc., 1981 SCHMOZZLE game NABU Network Corp., 1984 SHAPES educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 SHAKESPEARE educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 SKETCH art program unknown SKI SARAJEVO game NABU Network Corp., 1984 SKI WHISTLER game SLEUTH game NABU Network Corp., 1984 SPORTS STUMPER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 STEP UP game NABU Network Corp., 1984 SUPER BILLIARDS game Bubble Bus Software, NABU Network Corp., 1984 SUPER BLOOPER educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 THE INFORMER information program NABU Network Corp., 1986 TIME PILOT game NABU Network Corp., 1984 TONES & SEMITONES educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 TOURNAMENT POKER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 TRACK & FIELD 1 game NABU Network Corp., 1984 TRACK & FIELD 2 game NABU Network Corp., 1984 TV IQ game NABU Network Corp., 1984 UFO'S game NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1982 WHIZ MIND LOGO game unknown WINE WATCH information program Wine Consultants of Canada, 1984 WING WAR game NABU Network Corp., 1984 WIZTYPE educational game NABU Network Corp., 1982 WIZTYPE TUTOR office program NABU Network Corp., 1982 WORD MASTERMIND educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 WORD ROTATE educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 ZIPPER game NABU Network Corp., 1983 ZORK I game NABU Network Corp., 1984 ZOT! game NABU Network Corp., 1984 The museum has several NABU PC and Adaptor units including the NABU PC 4K and 8K ROM models.
NABU Network Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp.
1983-1986, Ottawa (Canada), Alexandria (US), and Sowa (Japan)
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 spelling checker, MicroPro MBasic, Microsoft Persona communications package, Nelma Persona Professional Accounting, Nelma The museum has a NDC 100 Persona (serial number 8300321) with a keyboard and monitor. It was manufactured in March 1983.
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.
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 prompts displayed on the screen and soft keys that led the user from one operation to another. Between 1981 and 1986, Northern Telecom released several models of and upgrades to the Displayphones, including the PLUS (released in 1984) and the 220 (offered in October 1986). Another variant, the SL-1 Displayphone, when designed to access the voice and data capabilities of Northern Telecom's popular SL-1 PBX. By the mid-1980s, Northern Telecom had already faced competition from other vendors including AT&T, Davox, InteCom/Wang, and Rolm. Nevertheless, the Displayphone continued to have the largest installed bases of any of the competing products, which, according to the 1988 Datapro Research report, was at around 50,000 in 1987. Following the success of the Displayphone in the enterprise market, NT proceeded to develop its successor–the Meridian M4020 Integrated Terminal–which was released in 1985. Instead of a pair of analog telephone interfaces, the M4029 connected to the network over an integrated 2.56Mbps digital interface. Displayphone NT6K00 technical specifications CPU: Intel 8085, 8-bit, ROM: 40KB with Displayphone firmware, keyboard: QWERTY, retractable, stored within the unit's base, dial and screen pad: built-in, containing 12 dial keys, 5 softkeys, and 12 programmed keys, display: 7in, 24 lines, 40 or 80 characters/line, with the 25th line used for labeling of softkeys, voice ports: two analog PSTN phone lines, integrated Bell 103-type modem, data ports: RS 232C (connection to a local computer or external, modem), parallel I/O port (for printer), transmission rates: from 75 to 1200 baud for RS 232C and from 65 to 300 boud for dialup, peripherals: Displayjet printer. Museum's holdings Displayphone NT6K00 AA (1982), Displayphone NT1K00 AA, serial number 1271004601 (1982), Displayphone NT6K90 AC, serial number 29E0004529 (1984), Displayphone User Guide, Northern Telecom, June 1981, Displayphone, The integrated voice and data telephone concept from Bell Canada, Bell Canada, 198? Displayphone User Guide, Northern Telecom, February 1982, Sources Datapro Report C25-662-102 (Terminals), Datapro Research Corp., January 1988, Displayphone User Guide, Northern Telecom, June 1981, Displayphone User Guide, Northern Telecom, February 1982.
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 desktop and, soon after, hand-held calculators. Commodore entered the market of hand-held electronic calculators in late 1970s with its CBM 110 device. Within months, the company introduced what would become a popular series of Minuteman calculators. That series, in turn, was followed by the "SR" and "SF" line of scientific and financial hand-held calculators. By the mid-1970s, Commodore was selling a wide range of electronic calculators, becoming one of the largest American manufacturers of these devices. Commodore's entry into microcomputer market was, to a large degree, the result of fierce price war in the calculator market that started in late 1973, and the decision of Texas Instruments—one of the main suppliers of calculator chips—to enter the calculator market and to compete with its clients. To stay competitive and independent of third parties for the chips and displays that went into its products, Commodore purchased MOS Technology in 1976. With the acquisition came not only MOS integrated circuits (most notably the 6502 microprocessor) but also Chuck Peddle's—the 6502's chief designer's—considerable technical expertise and impeccable sense of changing trends in electronics market. While at MOS, he built the KIM-1 single-board computer that quickly became popular among computer hobbyists. Peddle urged Commodore not to underestimate the market potential for mass-manufactured microcomputers and his team got permission to go ahead with a project of designing a desktop computer around the 6502 processor. The all-in-one Commodore PET (or Personal Electronic Transactor) was introduced in 1977. It was successfully marked world-wide, which opened the door into the consumer electronics market for the company's next best sellers: the VIC-20 introduced in 1980, and the Commodore 64 unveiled in 1982. By 1983, in just 25 years, a small downtown Toronto typewriter sales and repair shop was transformed into one of the most revered personal computer companies in the world, shipping more units world-wide than any other computer company. However, the departure of Tramiel from Commodore in 1984 marked the beginning of the company's downfall. Commodore was loosing grounds to the IBM PC and Apple Macintosh platforms. The purchase of Amiga and the sales of its aging fleet of 8-bit computers sustained the company for a while but eventually, in 1994, Commodore began its liquidation. Commodore C108 description The Commodore C108 was a four-function low-cost electronic calculator designed by Omron Tateishi Electronic Co. and offered by Commodore in 1971. It was sold in North America and Europe. operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, display: 8 digits, green vacuum-fluorescent tubes, keyboard: 17 keys including "clear", chipset: Omron ALPHA1, ALPHA2, and ALPHA3, power: AC only. Museum holdings Commodore C108 calculator, serial nr. 824667.
Omron Tateishi Electronic Co. and Commodore Business Machines
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 sold by Exceltronix Components and Computing of Toronto. The Lab-mate was used in digital electronics labs at, among other places, the University of Toronto and Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. One of the main differences between the U of T Board and the Lab-mate was that the latter was designed around the STD bus allowing a range of off-the-shelf STD cards to be directly used with the computer. This provided an effective way to expand and tailor the system towards the user's needs. Technical Specifications: CPU - Motorola MC6809, 8-bit RAM - up to 48K using six memory slots ROM - 16K ports and interfaces: two STD bus expansion ports, STD bus I/O port, two parallel I/O ports (MOS Technology 6522 Versatile Interface Adapter) programmable parallel peripheral interface (Intel 8255) universal interrupt controller (Advanced Micro Devices AM9519A) two serial ports (MOS Technology 6551 Asynchronous Communications Interface Adapter) programmable timer (Motorola MC6840) counter/timer peripheral (Advanced Micro Devices 9513A) cassette tape interface Software - monitor, editor, and assembler in ROM Documentation - extensive documentation including SBC6808 Operating Manual by Peter Bubonja, 1986. The museum has two Lab-mate computers (serial numbers 18 and 19) used at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in the second half of the 1980s.
Early Computing at York University -- Photographs
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 Computer Center (mid 1970s?), IBM System/370 Model 158 operator at computer's terminal at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), IBM 3420 tape drives at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), IBM 3333 disk drive storage units at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?) IBM 3333 disk drive storage units at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), Backup disk storage at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), IBM 3705A communications controller at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), HP 2000 Data System at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?) IBM 3213 console printer and Datacom 100 teleprinter at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), IBM 2741 terminal at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), modems at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), Vucom I display terminal at York's Computer Center (mid 1970s?), students' keypunch room at York University (1972?), students in keypunch room at York University (1972?); the person on the right is Enio Presutto, one of the promoters of the APL programming language at York University, IBM 2741 APL terminal in student's keypunch room at York University (1972?), IBM 29 punch card terminal in students' keypunch room at York University (1972?).
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 manual, the computer was designed to be a truly economical and educational system that meets the needs of students, teachers, experiments or anyone who wishes to know or evaluate at a reasonable price the performance of the wonderful machine, the Z-80 [microprocessor]. [from The PRO-80 Assembly and Operations Manual] The computer was designed around the popular Zilog Z80 microprocessor and the S-100 bus that allowed the user to expand the system with a variety of S-100 boards available on the market. Hardware specification CPU: Zilog Z80A, RAM: 1Kb expandable to 2 Kb, EPROM: 1Kb containing the monitor software, ports/interfaces: 2 parallel I/O ports, audio cassette interface, keyboard: 16-key Hex with 8 additional keys, display: 6-position Hex. PROTEC also offered the PRO-VIDEO expansion card for the PRO-80 that provided: video controller for a standard color or B/W TV, Eprom programmer, up to 22 Kb of RAM. The card was supported with an 8 Kb editor/assembler. In April 1983, the computer was priced at $169 while its expansion card at $249. Software and documentation The PRO-80 Assembly and Operations Manual, PROTEC, 1981, monitor (1Kb), editor/assembler (8Kb). Museum holdings PRO-80 single board computer, The PRO-80 Assembly and Operations Manual, PROTEC, 1981.