Browse Items (100 total)

Historical contextThe 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…

Historical ContextThe whole crew is instilled with the fervent enthusiasm ofThose Who Have Seen The Light. On everyone's lips isthe sacred name of the ancient Babylonian god of writing.NABU. Bringer of wisdom and understanding.NABU. Bringer of great…

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…

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…

Historical contextBy Z. Stachniak with input from D. CuddyIn 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…

Historical contextCommodore 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…

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…

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…

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,…

Historical context(by Z. Stachniak)In the early 1970s, the consumer electronics market was going through one of the hottest periods in its history. Advancements in microelectronics, especially in integrated circuit technologies, had made it possible…