Historical Context (by Z. Stachniak) In 1971, Bell Canada and Northern Electric (renamed Northern Telecom in 1976) established Bell-Northern Research (BNR) -- a common telecommunications research and development entity. BNR played a crucial role in Northern's evolution into a leading global provider of fully digital telecommunications solutions. In 1975, Northern launched the BNR-designed SL-1 -- the first digital switching system in commercial service. Four years later, Northern introduced the DMS-100 digital switch, which seamlessly integrated switching and transmission capabilities (DMS: digital multiplex switch). The widespread adoption of the DMS-100 propelled Northern to the forefront of the global telecommunications industry. The experience gained during the design of the DMS-100 prompted BNR to establish a Computing Technology Development Group in 1979. As described in [2], the group's objectives were: creating the foundational computing components for Northern Telecom's future products; developing tools essential for software development for these products; exploring emerging computing technology trends and ensuring a continuous flow of relevant technologies into BNR's operations. Initially, the Computing Technology Development Group, informally referred to as the XMS group, was comprised of Peter Cashin, who previously led the original core development team for the DMS computer systems, Neil Gammage (systems software: OS and systems), Jean Jervis (systems software: OS), Ragui Kamel (software: compilers), Bill Williams (software architecture), and Rick Workman (hardware/software integration). Shortly thereafter, Liam Casey (distributed software architecture) and Kerry Zoehner (file systems) joined the group. Over time, the XMS group expanded to include more than 100 engineers primarily based in Ottawa. The primary task of the group involved researching and defining hardware and software architectures that could form the basis of a distributed computing network to support the development of future BNR products. The resulting architecture, named XMS (eXtended Multicomputer System), was defined as a cluster of processing nodes (such as workstations, file servers, communication servers, printing servers, etc.) interconnected by a single high-speed local area network and operated under concurrent software. As articulated in [2], "XMS creates a single, powerful system from loosely coupled microcomputers. Programs work together across nodes, making systemwide resource management transparent and distributed-system design simpler." Detailed information regarding both the hardware and software architectures of XMS can be found in [1] and [2]. The first XMS system was deployed at BNR in 1981. It was the XMS Software Development Environment (SDE) whose main purpose was to provide the computing facilities and resources essential for supporting XMS-based projects. The system comprised several XMS personal workstations, a file server, a print server, and a communications server. The majority of XMS SDE software was developed using BNR Pascal. This language, an extension of UCSD Pascal (designed at the University of California, San Diego), incorporated ADA-like tasks and concurrency features implemented in XMS. Alongside XMS system software and the BNR Pascal, the SDE environment featured a robust file system called Helix and an array of software development utility programs, including: editors: text and graphics editors, software development tools: compilers, assemblers, dissassemblers, linkers, etc., analysis tools: debuggers, profilers, test tools, cross referencers, etc. document preparation package: support for text and graphics, spellcheckers, index generator, LAN communication: messaging and bulletin board, IBM communication: passthrough and file transfer, project management tools: source management, problem database and project tracking. The XMS was a proprietary platform. Although built from commercially available components, initially it could not take advantage of commercially available software, or engaging external development groups. In response, the XMS group developed a facility called Distributed Unix (or DUX), enabling the loading and execution of Unix applications within the XMS system. The SDE offered a robust and adaptable environment for software development. It also demonstrated the effectiveness of the XMS platform when combined with suitable software. As emphasized in [1], "A major benefit of the deployment of XMS SDE systems has been the designer's ability to both develop and test systems on the same hardware." According to data provided in [2], by 1985, approximately 2,000 workstations in 25 XMS networks were operational across 15 geographic locations spanning from California to Europe. However, despite numerous successful applications of the XMS platforms, such as the Nortel Meridian PBX family, significant factors ultimately led to the decline of XMS developments at BNR. In the February 2024 interview for the Centre for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science, University of Auckland, Peter Cashin summarized the root cause of the disbanding of the XMS group in the late 1980s as follows: The [XMS] project was technically successful... We thought we had a better solution than Unix, with nice multi-computer inter-process messaging... But the writing was on the wall, the use of C and Unix was spreading, and the commercial computing industry was going to be able to supply the needs for telecom. The necessity for our own hardware was gone, and the advantages of our own systems software was shrinking. It was a computer industry opportunity, and Nortel made the decision that it was not getting into the computer business. The XMS Workstations The XMS SDE systems utilized workstations designed at BNR by John Perry. These workstations were conceived to function as development platforms as well as the foundation for future products. Over the course of the XMS project, four distinct models were developed. Each of these models was built around a microprocessor from the Motorola 68000 family. Initially, all XMS prototypes and models 1 and 2 featured the Motorola 68000-x microprocessors. However, in later iterations, models 3 and 4 incorporated the Motorola 68010 and 68020 CPUs. For external storage, the workstations initially relied on 8" floppy drives but later also incorporating a 10M-Byte Winchester hard disk. User interaction was facilitated through a standalone video display terminal, which provided both keyboard input and display. Model CPU ROM RAM external storage display/ keyboard exp. slots 0 MC6800-06 65,536 bits MM2716 eproms 4 SIP-like memory cards 294,912 bits each, AM9016 RAMs two 8" floppy disk drives external terminal 6 2 MC6800-08 137,072 bits HN462732G eproms 4 memory cards 1,179,648 bits each, HM4864-2 RAMs two 8" floppy disk drives external terminal 8 Table: Technical specifications of one of the XMS prototypes ("model 0") and of model 2. Museum Holdings XMS prototype ("model 0", second image below), XMS Model 2 (first image below), 8" floppy disk drive (x 2) for XMS mode 1, other related items are listed in the Nortel archive. Bibliography [1] Gammage N. and Casey, L., XMS: A Rendezvous-Based Distributed System Software Architecture, IEEE Software, vol. 2, no. 3 (1985), pp. 9-19. [2] Kamel, R.F., Software Development in a Distributed Environment: The XMS System, In: Conradi, R., Didriksen, T.M., Wanvik, D.H. (eds) Advanced Programming Environments, Springer LNCS, vol 244 (1987), pp. 126-141. [3] Cashin, P. and Carpenter, B.E., An Overseas Experience with Hypertext and Packet Switching, CDMTCS-577, Centre for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand (February 2024).
Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) The industrial revolution of the 19th century brought new manufacturing methods and with them the ability to produce high quality precision instruments and mechanical devices in large quantities. The first typewriters appeared in the early 19th century and the first wave of useful calculators soon after in Europe and a few decades later in America. America entered the age of mechanical calculators in late 19th century, much later than Europe. When major European countries were undergoing extensive industrialization, the United States was still primarily involved in agriculture while Canada was not even on the map as a country. The Civil War of 1861-1865 did not help with the industrialization either, delaying the effects of the industrial revolution on the North American continent for a decade. It was not until after the Civil War when new forms of manufacturing (steam-powered) allowed the American industry to grow and spread across the nation. It was at that time, when a vibrant office equipment industry was created with calculator manufacturing centers in cities such as Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, and Philadelphia. Large businesses, agencies, and institutions were expanding fast, putting more and more people into their offices. It quickly became evident that ever increasing number of calculation tasks could not be handled cost-effectively without appropriate calculating aids. While American institutions were looking for efficient ways for conducting their business, inventors and entrepreneurs were determined to supply them with all sorts of office gadgets. Two individuals—Dorr E. Felt and William S. Burroughs—played a key role in establishing the calculator industry. Both were determined to provide businesses with just the right kind of calculators: fast, accurate, easy to operate and, in the case of Burroughs' calulators, with printing capabilities. In the end, they created calculator empires that dominated the American calculator market well into the next century. When William S. Burroughs was working as a bank clerk, he envisioned the process of tedious arithmetic operations mechanized to such a degree that the results would also be automatically printed on paper. In the end, Burroughs not only designed such a machine—the Arithmometer (1884)—but also co-founded American Arithmometer Company in St. Louis to manufacture it. By the end of the 1800s, his company was successfully selling several hundred machines a year. In 1917, Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Detroit (formerly American Arithmometer Company of St. Louis) opened its Canadian subsidiary in Windsor, Ontario. Three years later, the Canadian branch moved to the newly constructed facility in Windsor at the corner of McDougall St. and Elliott St. Over the years, the Canadian subsidiary manufactured several calculators including motor-driven adding and listing Bookkeeping Machine and a range of portable adding machines. Burroughs Bookkeeping Machines The Burroughs Bookkeeping Machines were some of the most impressive adding machines made. Although they were large and heavy, their bevelled glass walls on three sides allowed viewing of their internal mechanical operations during calculations, certainly aimed at creating a "WOW" effect with a machine priced at between $615 to $715. The calculators offered between 6 to 17 columns of keys, a numeric display, and a printing mechanism with a wide carriage featuring a paper length setting and an end of page bell. These calculator could perform addition only. The multiplication could be done by repeated additions. Apart from numeric keys, Burroughs Bookkeeping Machines offered several "function" keys. A column could be cleared by pressing the red key at the top of that column. Other keys were designed to clear the entire keyboard, to perform repeated additions for multiplication, to calculate total and subtotal results as well as other functions depending on the calculator's model. Several options were provided including electric drive that eliminated manual use of a crank handle to perform calculations. This option offered a tabular steel frame with the motor and gearbox mounted underneath. Museum holdings Burroughs Bookkeeping Machine (17 columns, electric), model/serial number C2-1286030, manufactured by Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Canada, Windsor, Ontario, Burroughs Portable Adding Machine, model/serial number 03-370060, manufactured by Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Canada (?)
Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Canada
The calculator was donated by Unisys Canada Inc. in 2016
Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) Since the late 1940s, several computer enthusiasts and dedicated educators have engaged in a variety of computing-related activities, ranging from the design of computer toys and educational aids to publishing and establishing computer clubs and organizations. In 1949, Edmund Berkeley published Giant Brains or Machines That Think, a book intended for a general audience interested in technological innovations. He followed it with a series of computer construction projects and educational devices in the 1950s, including Simon, BRAINIAC, and GENIAC. These devices were not intended as scientific instruments, but rather as educational tools to exhibit in simple understandable form the essential principle of any artificial brain [E. Berkeley and R.A. Jensen, World's Smallest Electric Brain, Radio Electronics, October 1950.] Berkeley's computer education ideas inspired others to find ways of introducing knowledge about computers and their role in modern society to educators, electronics hobbyists, and even children. One such individual was Joseph Weisbecker, a computer engineer at RCA. His career spanned a wide range of fields, from designing mainframe computer hardware to developing microprocessors and microcomputer architectures. However, his true passion lay in demystifying the little-understood world of digital computing. Weisbecker's numerous iterations of his Flexible Recreational and Educational Device (FRED) were not another tape of computer toy—despite having designed many in the past—but as affordable, general-purpose computers for use in homes and schools. The introduction of the first microprocessors in the early 1970s not only reshaped the semiconductor industry but also gave rise to the global microcomputer industry. Education quickly emerged as one of the key application areas driving this new technological wave. As early as 1973, during the launch of its MCM/70 computer, the Canadian electronics company Micro Computer Machines (MCM) identified education as a primary market for microcomputers. The company emphasized that computers like the MCM/70 could provide each student in a computer equipped classroom with his own individualized interactive computer. [...] Featuring a language suitable in its simplicity and power for students and teachers alike, the MCM/70 brings to the world of education a technological solution to the problem of introducing economical interactive computer systems. [MCM promotional brochure, 1974] By the early 1980s, the use of microcomputers in schools had become widespread. In several countries, educators began experimenting with large-scale computer education programs. One such initiative was the BBC Computer Literacy Project, launched in the UK in 1981. It played a significant role in introducing computing into UK homes and schools and served as a crucial stepping stone for many people's first experiences with computers and programming. In Canada, the television series Bits and Bytes, produced by TVOntario in 1983, aimed to teach the basics of home and personal computer use and applications. That same year, the Ottawa-based NABU Network launched an education channel that featured both commercial and teacher-developed courseware. The content covered a broad range of subjects, including the arts, languages, computer programming, skills and tools, as well as mathematics, history, and various scientific disciplines. Ontario Educational Computer In the early 1980s, Canadian provinces and territories recognized that computers would have a significant impact on education. This awareness was reflected in the formation of numerous working committees and task forces at both the government and local school board levels. It became increasingly clear that advancements in microelectronics would continue to drive major changes in Canadian society—particularly within the education system. At the time, Canadian schools were using a wide array of incompatible microcomputers produced by companies such as Apple Computer, Atari, Commodore, Tandy, and Texas Instruments. As a result, educational software had to be developed separately for each platform, making it difficult to standardize and streamline computer-based education programs. In response to this challenge, the Ontario Ministry of Education began implementing a coordinated computer education program in 1983. It is increasingly important that students in Ontario schools have the opportunity to the full extent of their abilities to become knowledgeable and creative users of the microcomputer as a personal tool. Only in this way will we be able, individually and corporately, to cope with the "Information Revolution" that advancing micro-technology is creating, and to take full advantage of the social and economic opportunities it creates. [The Ministry of Education, Ontario, Policy/Program Memorandum No. 68, March 24, 1983] The Ministry argued that the most effective way to address the hardware and software needs of Ontario schools was to base the selection of microcomputers on well-researched and clearly defined functional requirements. The Functional Requirements for Microcomputers for Educational Use in Ontario Schools were issued in 1983. School boards that purchased microcomputers meeting these standards were eligible to receive grants covering 75% of the purchase cost. Additionally, the Ministry allocated $5 million for the development of educational software for use with microcomputers that met its requirements. The new Ontario educational computing initiative was also designed to achieve another important goal: stimulating the growth of Canada’s microelectronics industry, particularly in the areas of hardware and software development. It was argued that this need [for expertly developed educational software ] can best be met if a competitive educational software industry can be established in Ontario whose primary market is the province's elementary and secondary school system. Basing itself on this market and taking advantage of the strong R & D base in computer science which has developed in Ontario universities, and the experience gained to date, such an industry could potentially seize a dominant position internationally in the provision of educational software. [...] Unless every opportunity is taken to develop in Canada a world class capability in these vital technologies we cannot remain competitive in the world economy. [The Ministry of Education, Ontario, Policy/Program Memorandum No. 69, March 24, 1983] CEMCorp ICON computer At the time the Functional Requirements for Microcomputers for Educational Use in Ontario Schools were announced, only one Canadian company—Educational Microprocessor Corporation (CEMCorp) of Toronto—offered a computer design that met the specifications. Founded in 1981, CEMCorp was established in response to the Board of Industrial Leadership and Development’s recommendation to create an all-Canadian microcomputer tailored to the educational market and to support the growth of the Canadian educational software industry. Given this context, it is not surprising that the Ontario Ministry of Education awarded CEMCorp a $10 million contract to complete the design and manufacture the ICON—a new standardized educational microcomputer system for Ontario schools. CEMCorp began shipping the ICON in 1984. The computer was manufactured by Microtel in Belleville, Ontario (with the exception of the display manufactured in Taiwan). Its QNX operating system was developed by Quantum Software Systems of Ottawa, while Toronto-based Burroughs Canada was contracted to handle sales and support. Between 1984 and the early 1990s, several generations of the ICON were produced. In 1986, the ICON II workstation was introduced by Unisys Corporation, which had been formed through the merger of Burroughs and Sperry Rand. The ICON II featured a redesigned case, a detached keyboard with an integrated trackball, expanded RAM, and support for an internal hard disk. The ICON II was later succeeded by several models of IBM-compatible computers, built around the Intel 386 processor and ran Microsoft DOS and Windows operating systems. The success of IBM and Apple Computer in the microcomputer market—along with other manufacturers gaining ministerial approval for educational computers that had originally been the exclusive domain of the ICON—led to a significantly reduced presence of Unisys computers in Ontario schools. Moreover, unlike the ICON, these well-established platforms were supported by an extensive base of software publishers that provided vast libraries of educational software. Ultimately, the Ontario Ministry of Education ended all support for the ICON platform in 1994, which was soon followed by Unisys discontinuing ICON production. Despite its eventual demise, the ICON had a lasting impact on computer education in Ontario, introducing a generation of students and teachers to the world of computing. CEMCorp ICON technical description The CEMCorp ICON computer was based on a workstation–file server model, with the file server—called the LEXICON—providing system and application software, external storage, and connectivity to shared peripherals such as printers. The workstation itself was housed in a large metal case, featuring a tilt-and-swivel display mounted on top, a built-in full-sized keyboard, and a trackball. It booted from the LEXICON server via a dedicated ARCNET network. The ICON offered NAPLPS/Telidon-based graphics and included a speech synthesis controller that enabled synthetic speech communication. A GUI-based Ambience software, developed by the Ontario Ministry of Education, provided an environment for students and teachers to, among other operations, interact with ICON without the explicit use of the operating system. The LEXICON file server was housed in a cuboid-shaped metal enclosure and featured an internal hard drive with a minimum storage capacity of 10 MB, along with a single 5.25" floppy disk drive. In addition to system and application software, the hard drive stored all user workspaces. The server included multiple ports for connecting ICON workstations, a shared printer, and optional external peripherals such as a keyboard and display. Internally, its hardware closely resembled that of the ICON workstation. CEMCorp selected the little-known QUNIX operating system—renamed QNX in 1983—for the ICON. Its adoption by CEMCorp, and shortly thereafter by the NABU Network for its NABU 1600 computer, helped open the global embedded systems market to QNX. CEMCorp ICON software One of the key objectives of the Ministry’s Ontario Approved Educational Computer initiative was to foster the growth of a competitive educational software industry. To support this goal, the Ministry allocated $5 million to its Exemplary Lessonware Project, aimed at assisting in the development of high-quality educational software aligned with the learning objectives outlined in the Ministry’s curriculum guidelines for elementary and secondary schools. More than 500 software proposals were submitted in response to the call for computer-based learning materials; however, only 57 lessonware projects were selected for funding. These projects were managed by the Ontario Educational Software Service (OESS), and the completed software was distributed by TVOntario. However, by the end of 1987, Ontario's educational software industry remained in its early stages. Despite some notable exceptions, companies from outside the province were generally reluctant to participate. As a result, fewer than 100 lessonware titles were available through TVO/OESS (see the list below), which negatively affected ICON’s competitiveness in the educational market. Several programming languages were offered for the ICON, including C and Logo from UNISIS, as well as APL, BASIC, COBOL, Fortran, and Pascal from Watcom of Waterloo. Other notable software developed for the ICON included the aforementioned Ambience, created by the Ontario Ministry of Education, ALICE Pascal from Looking Glass Software in Toronto, and a variety of text and graphics editors. Selected ICON software, 1987: TITLE AUTHORS PUBLISHER AREA Accele-read M. Barcelos, M. Billard et al. Centre (1) reading Animals of Ontario A. Delong Southwood (18) biology Art Treasures J. Pollock Ministry (2) art history Bar Graphs M. Barcelos, M. Billard et al. Centre (1) data representation The Bartlett Saga Part I: Refugees in the Wilderness J. Bemrose, Ch. Moore Interactive (16) history, geography The Bartlett Saga Part II: The Rebels J. Bemrose Interactive (16) history, geography The Bartlett Saga Part IV: The Golden West P. McGrath, Ch. Moore Interactive (16) history, geography B.C. Lumbering J. Buckley, K. Donald - geography, economics Cargo Sailer ? Ministry (2) social studies, geography CASI Accounting Paul Rehak Computer Systems (4) business, accounting Cattle J. Pollock Ministry (2) biology, history Colourball ? Ministry (2) system demo Contributing Canadians J. Pollock Ministry (2) history Data Classification G. Caissy, M.Howart et al. Mindflight (5) social studies, science Decide, Your Excellency J. Leishman, J. Thiessen et al. Liveware (17) sociology, geography Electric Chemistry Building D. Santry, A. Blizzard et al. Snowbird (19) chemistry Flame Life J. Olson Queen's (6) physics Food Nutrient Tally S. Jones Peel (7) biology Function Workshop J. Thiessen et al. Liveware (17) math Get Ready for Math M. Howarth Mindflight (5) math Grand Tour L. Haynes Copp Clark Pitman, Ltd. math Greenhouse ? ? biology Ideal Gas Simulation M. Kilpatrick, G. Miao at al. Gemini (8) chemistry InfoSchool - Create New Database ? ? data management InfoSchool - Discovering Ontario ? ? geography Intuitrig B. Collacutt, D. Collacutt Logicus (10) math IPaint M.Lamb, J. Martin, L. Gondor Innovations (3) art Izzit M. Golick, M. Lee Cinemedia (9) problem solving, reading Know Your Numbers M. Howarth Mindflight (5) math Learn to Ad M. Howarth Mindflight (5) math Learn to Count M. Howarth Mindflight (5) math Learn to Subtract M. Howarth Mindflight (5) math Learning Game Generator ? Ministry (2) game generator Logic Lab W. Buxtonm M. Delange UofT (11) computer studies Map Manoeuvre C. Ratsep social studies, geography Math Maze D. Didu DAD's (12) math MathVille ? Courseware (20) math Micro News B. Collacutt, D. Collacutt Logicus (10) language arts Moving Words M.Barcelos, M.Billard et al. Centre (1) vocabulary North-West Fur Trade J. Brent J.J. and J. (13) geography, history Offshore Fishing D. Leslie - geography, environment Partie-Prise M. Barcelos, M. Billard et al. Centre (1) visual perception Putting Yourself Together S. White East York Board (14) social studies Rapidodactylo S. Nakamura, M. Kryger - science, dactylography Ratio Factors R. Snyder - chemistry Shape Mate B. Collacutt, D. Collacutt Soft Sell (14) geometry Speakface ? Ministry (2) language arts The Number Place ? ? math The Puzzler J. Gollan, D. Burnett, et al. Queen's (6) language arts, reading The Voyages of Columbus ? Ministry (2) social studies, history Treasure of Ile Madame ? ? ? Type-Away S. Nakamura, M. Kryger - typing Unusual Countries J. Pollock Ministry (2) geography, history Upstairs-Downstairs J. Hosack Twintek (15) special education (1) le Centre franco-ontarien de ressources pédagogiques, Ottawa, On. (2) Computers in Education Centre, the Ministry of Education of Ontario (3) Innovations Foundation, University of Toronto, ON (4) Canadian Education Computer Systems, Beamsville, ON (5) Mindflight Technology Inc., Dunnville, ON (6) Faculty of Education, Queen's University, Kingston, ON (7) Peel Board of Education, Mississauga, ON (8) Gemini Education Group, Don Mills, ON (9) International Cinemedia Center Ltd., Toronto, ON (10) Logicus Inc., Nobelton, ON (11) Computer Systems and Research Institute, University of Toronto, ON (12) DAD's Computing, Ancasetr, ON (13) J.J. and J Enterprises, Brantford, ON (14) Soft Sell, Bolton, ON (15) Twintek Educational Software, Orilla, ON (16) Interactive Image Technologies, Toronto, ON (17) Liveware, Winnipeg, MB (18) Southwood Park School, Ajax, ON (19) Snowbird Software, Hamilton, ON (20) Courseware Solutions Inc., Toronto, ON CEMCorp ICON workstation technical specifications CPU: Intel iAPX186, 7.16 MHz, RAM: 512KBytes, ROM: 128KBytes, Voice Synthesis Processor: TMS5220CNL speech synthesizer, display: 12in monochrome (640x240 pixels) or 13in color (320x240 pixels), Hitachi HD46505 SP-1 display controller supporting NAPLPS, keyboard: 96-key QWERTY with additional function keys and special keys: ACTION, HELP, PAUSE, and REBOOT, numeric keypad: 18-key, built-in, trackball: built-in, ports: Iconet network IN and OUT, video out, external keyboard, RS232 serial port (x2), parallel printer port, LAN: a modified ARCNET, 2.5 Mbit/sec token passing. CEMCorp LEXICON File server specification CPU: Intel iAPX186, 7.16 MHz, motherboard: the same as ICON workstation, diskette drive: single 5 1/4" floppy diskette drive, 640Kbytes capacity, hard drive: minimum 10MBytes (YUCoM's LEXICON contains a Metropolis ST 506, 85MB hard drive), ports: external keyboard, external video, Iconet network IN and OUT, parallel port, RS232 serial port (x2), AC in and an auxiliary power out. Museum holdings ICON archive: extensive collection of documents related to the introduction and development of the ICON program, CEMCorp ICON workstation, serial number 11003684 (on display), LEXICON file server, serial number T-841201-219, manufacturing date: April 1985, Unisis ICON 2 workstation, serial nr. 345953715, manufacturing date: Nov. 1987, Unisis Model CA-3321 computer, serial nr. 432008332, Unisis display terminal VGA 200 MON, serial nr. 310902161, manufacturing date: Feb. 1991.
The Ministry of Education of Ontario, CEMCorp, Unisis
Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) Cognos Incorporated, formerly known as Quasar Systems Ltd., was a pioneering Ottawa-based software company renowned for its innovative business intelligence and performance management solutions. The company was established in 1969 by Alan Rushforth and Peter Glenister. Michael Potter joined the company in 1972 and, within three years, became the sole owner of Quasar. The company changed its name to Cognos in 1983, opened its new head office in Ottawa in 1985 and, a year later, went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ. By the early 1990s, Cognos became the largest independent software company in Canada. By the turn of the century, Cognos served more than 17,000 customers in 120 countries. Potter retired in 1995 and was replaced by Ron Zambonini as the company's CEO. In 2007, Cognos was acquired by IBM for $4.9 billion. Throughout the 1970s, the company primarily focused on information system consulting, predominantly serving the Canadian federal government. Under Potter's leadership, the company's business profile changed. In an interview with the Ottawa Business Journal [1], Potter credited Bob Minns as the catalyst for this transition. Bob was an extraordinarily important guy to the whole Cognos story. [...] Once with Quasar, Bob Minns had the bright idea, which was quite revolutionary at the time, that you could develop a higher-level language which could allow an end user, not an IT specialist, to be more directly involved in actually writing code that would extract data and write the summary reports that he needed. That higher-level language was independent of any particular application, so it could be standardized and packaged as a product. Bob then developed the idea and we released our first software product [Quiz] in the early ’80s. The margin for selling these products was much higher. The geographic constraints of having our people at each customer site were gone, so we could sell it internationally. It just took off. The rapid success of Quiz spearheaded the firm’s transformation from a service-based business to software publishing, shifting the company's emphasis towards business intelligence and performance management tools. Quiz was followed by PowerHouse (1982), PowerPlay (1990), Impromptu(1995?), and PowerPlay Web (1998). As of 2024, UNICOM Systems distributes PowerHouse software (including PowerHouse 4GL and PowerHouse Web), while IBM offers PowerPlay (current version is 11.0). PowerHouse PowerHouse is a fourth-generation programming language (4GL) designed for developing business applications. Introduced in 1982 for the Digital Equipment VAX minicomputers, PowerHouse expanded upon the original Quiz reporting product, providing much broader functionality focused on simplifying and accelerating the development of comprehensive data management applications. In Power House Primer (version 5.04), Cognos explained that Compared to traditional languages like Cobol, PowerHouse dramatically reduces the programming effort required to develop applications. PowerHouse applications can be functionally equivalent to Cobol applications, while development can be up to ten times faster. Simple English statements eliminate many laborious programming tasks, significantly reducing the total number of programming instructions. Fewer instructions, in turn, not only shorten the development process, but equally important, reduce the programming effort required to maintain an application. PowerHouse consists of three main integrated components: QUICK - screen builder (QDESIGN module) and screen-based transaction processor, QUIZ - report generation software, QTP - volume transaction processor. The PowerHouse Dictionary serves as the foundational framework for these components, acting as a central repository for defining the basic entities necessary to describe data within a specific system or systems. The dictionary is created and maintained through a system of screens developed in QUICK. PowerHouse was the first Cognos global product set, swiftly attracting international attention and amassing a revenue exceeding $100 million. By the mid-1980s, it became the most widely installed fourth-generation language on minicomputers worldwide. The robust sales of PowerHouse played a pivotal role in Cognos' decision to go public in 1986 and paved the way for the transformation of Cognos into a business intelligence software company. Following IBM's acquisition of Cognos in 2007, support for PowerHouse persisted until 2013, when the entire PowerHouse product line, including PowerHouse 4GL Server, Axiant 4GL and PowerHouse Web, was acquired by UNICOM Systems. Selected PowerHouse versions TITLE COMPANY PLATFORM YEAR PowerHouse Quasar Systems Vax minis 1982 PowerHouse for MPE/HL Cognos HP 3000 199? PowerHouse for MPE/iX Cognos HP 3000 199? PowerHouse PC Cognos Intel-DOS PCs 1998 PowerHouse Web Cognos Unix-based servers 1999 IBM Cognos PowerHouse 4GL IBM multiple platforms 2010-2013 PowerHouse 4GL UNICOM Systems multiple platforms 2013- Further Readings: [1] Lifetime Achievement, Ottawa Business Journal, Nov. 7, 2016, pp. 14--15. [2] Voyer, R. and Patti, R., The New Innovators: How Canadians are shaping the knowledge-based economy, James Lorimer & Comp. Pub., 1994. [3] Cognos Inc., Encyclopedia.com, https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/cognos-inc. Museum holdings PowerHouse library of documents including: PowerHouse Quiz, Cognos, 1985, PowerHouse Quiz, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987, PowerHouse Dictionary, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987, PowerHouse QTP, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987, PowerHouse Quick, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987, PowerHouse Pocket Guide, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987, PowerHouse Pocket Primer, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987, E. Schurr, Introducing the PowerHouse for Application ,Development on VAX, Cognos, 198?, How to Use PowerHouse Screens, Cognos, 1987.
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 202 description The Commodore 202 was possibly the first adding machine sold exclusively by the company. It was announced in 1967 and manufactured by a Japanese company Ricoh which previously built the 201 adding machine for Commodore. The award-winning case design for the adder was created by Thomas McGourty of Commodore. The 202 featured a built-in column indicator (recording the number of digits pressed) and a printer. Operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, credit balance, automatic total and sub-total, automatic repeat key for repeat addition, subtraction, and multiplication, column indicator : 10 digit, mechanical, printing mechanism: 10 column list, eleven column total, red and black printing, keyboard: 17 keys including "clear", single, double, and triple "0" keys, power: AC only. Museum holdings Commodore 202 adder, serial nr. B-152639.
North America, Europe, late 1960s -- early 1970s
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 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 in 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 Plus/4 In 1984, Commodore followed its successful VIC-20 and C64 computers with a series of low cost Commodore 16, 116 and Plus/4 computers designed to compete with the entry-level home computers manufactured by scores of companies around the world. In the end, none of these new Commodore computers could match the success of the VIC-20 or the C64 and their production was soon discontinued. While the Commodore 16 and 116 were rudimentary home computers, the Plus/4 came with ROM-resident office software suite consisting of a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database, and a graphics program. Unfortunately, with the arrival of desktops offering a much richer and advanced applications (such as the Apple Macintosh and the IBM AT), the era of `computers-in-keyboard' was coming to an end. The Pus/4 was discontinued in 1985. Some of the Plus/4 computers were manufactured by Commodore Business Machines Ltd., Canada. Commodore Plus/4 specifications CPU: MOS Technology 7501/8501 at approx. 1.8 MHz, RAM: 64 KB, ROM: 64 KB (with built-in Commodore BASIC 3.5, a machine language monitor, a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database, and graphics program), video processor: MOS Technology TED (TED 7360) display in text mode: 40×25 characters; three text modes: standard, extended color, and multicolor, display graphics mode: 160x200 (multicolor) and 320×200 (hi-resolution) with 121 colors (16 primary colors, 8 luminance levels), sound: two tone sound generators, keyboard: QWERTY-style, simplified, 59-key with additional 4 programmable function keys and four cursor keys, ports: serial bus (IEEE-488, port for a disk drive or printer), cassette tape storage port, user port (RS-232 general purpose serial/parallel port), memory expansion port (for various types of cartridges), two game ports (for use with joysticks), audio/video port (to connect a monitor, peripherals: disk drives (e.g. Commodore 1541 floppy disk drive), cassette drives (e.g. Commodore 1531 Datassette), monitors (Commodore 1801 and 1802), modems (e.g. Commodore Modem 300), printers (e.g. Commodore MPS-802 printer), game controllers, mouse (e.g. Commodore 1351). Museum holdings Commodore Plus/4, serial nr. CA1043221, manufactured by Commodore Business Machines Ltd., Canada Commodore Plus/4 basic documentation.
Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) Early microprocessor-based computers (microcomputers) presented a cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative to high-performance minicomputers that dominated the computer scene of the 1970s. Initially, their utilization was confined largely to applications that did not require the full processing power of the minis. Microcomputers also presented a unique opportunity to expand and enrich academic computing programs and infrastructure. A 1979 study conducted at the University of Waterloo (UW) on possible use of microcomputers for academic teaching and research concluded that "many of the jobs run on computers at Waterloo could be done using the computational capacity possessed by microcomputers." (See [1.) At that time, UW's mainframe computer served approximately 25,000 student jobs each day. However, "none of the inexpensive, mass-manufactured microcomputers had the appropriate hardware to operate our planned software," stated the authors of Waterloo Micro Computer Systems for the 1980s [1] "mainly because the memory was not large enough, and because there was insufficient flexibility, particularly with respect to input/output." The study set in motion two microcomputer development projects at the Computer Systems Group of UW -- the microWAT and the SuperPET. In the opinion of Wesley Graham, director, Computer Systems Group at UW expressed in [2], "microcomputers offered many advantages such as economy, reliability and flexibility. But the software available was not suitable for our use. In addition, the addressable memory of micro systems was too small to house the software and leave a meaningful work area. [...] Waterloo liked the advantages of micros and set out to bridge the gap. With software systems written to meet our needs, the software problem was solved. Then we introduced a virtual memory concept with hardware and resolve the addressable memory size problem. By using a RS232 interface, the micro could communicate with a shared data base. And by duplicating the software system onto a mainframe, the same program could be run using large memories at high speed.Thus a student could begin to solve his problem on the micro and, if necessary, complete it on the mainframe. Commodore adopted these ideas and created the SuperPET. We installed 35 such systems at Waterloo in July, 1981 and they have proven as effective as expected." The Commodore SuperPET was a dual processor personal computer created by the Computer Systems Group at UV primarily for the educational market. It's hardware design expanded the Commodore CBM 8032 (PET) architecture by an additional 64KB of bank switched RAM, a Motorola 6809 microprocessor and an RS232 interface. The computer could execute all the PET software using its MOS 6502 processor. The 6809 CPU and the bank-switching RAM architecture adopted by the SuperPET design allowed the execution of sophisticated 6809-based software including several programming language interpreters, editors and assemblers. Several of these software products were written at the UW's Computer Systems Group using the WSL systems development language. An OSW-9 MMU (Memory Management Unit) board developed primarily by Avygdor Moise from York University, Toronto, allowed the operation of the SuperPET under the sophisticated OS-9 Operating System from Microware Systems Corp. The SuperPET's design was brought to the production stage by BMB CompuScience of Milton, Ontario. The computer (also known as Micro-Mainframe or MMF9000) was announced in April, 1981 at Hanover Computer Fair, manufactured by Commodore and distributed in North America, Europe and Australia. However, the introduction of the IBM PC in August 1981 and the subsequent rapid growth of IBM PC-compatible computer market put an end to the microWAT and SuperPET programs. Technical specifications CPU: MOS Technology 6502 and Motorola 6809 at 1MHz, RAM: 96KB (64KB on an bank switched RAM board), ROM: 48KB (containing Waterloo KERNAL and CBM Basic 4.0), video: MOS Technology 6545, 12" monochrome display, 25 rows of 80 characters, three character sets, keyboard: QWERTY-style, 62 keys, and 11-key numeric keypad, ports: IEEE-488 port, two Commodore Datasette ports, Expansion port, RS232 port, CBM parallel programmable User port Memory and Processor selection switches, options: OSW-9 MMU (Memory Management Unit) board allowing the use of popular OS-9 Operating System, other features: memory and processor selection switches. Key software Waterloo KERNAL (in ROM), CBM Basic 4.0 (in ROM), microBASIC, microPascal, microFORTRAN, microCOBOL and microAPL from University of Waterloo Computer Systems Ltd., microEditor from University of Waterloo Computer Systems Ltd., 6809 microprocessor assembler from University of Waterloo Computer Systems Ltd., OS-9 Operating System from Microware Systems Corp. (using the MMU board). Museum holdings Commodore SuperPET Model 9000, serial nr. SP0002320, Commodore CBM 8050 Dual Drive Floppy Disk, Commodore Super-Pet SP9000 Technical Manual, Commodore Computer, 198? Waterloo 6809 Assembler, Waterloo microSystems SuperPET Specifics, draft copy, J.B. Schueler and B.J. Stecher, Waterloo microPIP File Utility Program for the Commodore SuperPET, J.C. Wilson and T.A. Wilkinson, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microAPL, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, P.H. Dirksen and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microAPL, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, J.W. Graham and K.I. McPhee, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microBASIC, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, D.D. Cowan, J.W. Graham, J.W. Welch, and T.A. Wilkinson, Waterloo BASIC for Commodore Microcomputers, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, D.D. Cowan, J.W. Graham, J.W. Welch, and T.A. Wilkinson, Waterloo BASIC for Commodore PET, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, P.H. Dirksen and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microCOBOL, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, F.D. Boswell, T.R. Grove, and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microPascal, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, P.H. Dirksen and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microFORTRAN, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, D.D. Cowan and M.J. Shaw, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo 6809 Assembler, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, F.D. Boswell, T.R. Grove, K.I. McPhee, J.B. Schueler, and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: System Overview, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, Disk System User Reference Guide, Commodore Electronics Ltd., 1982, User's Manual for CBM 5 1/4-inch Dual Floppy Disk Drives, Commodore Business Machines, 1983, M.P. McFarlane and D.R. McNeil, An Explanatory Data Analysis Package for the Commodore SuperPET, SPUG/APL, May 1983, D. Barnes, The SuperPET STARTER-PAK, 198? SuperPET Bulletin Board System, printout, Paul Matzke Sysop, Several documents distributed by the International SuperPET Users Group, 1984--85, M. Avygdor, MMU Version 2.0 Installation Procedure for 2 Boards SuperPETs, York University/Toronto PET Users Group 1985(?) References [1] D.D. Cowan and J.W. Graham, Waterloo Microcomputer Systems for the 1980's, Proceedings of the ACM '82, pp. 13–17 (1982). [2] Introducing the Remarkable Commodore SuperPET. The First Microcomputer with 5 High-Level Languages for only $2795, Commodore SuperPET promotional brochure, 198?
Designed by Computer Systems Group at the University of Waterloo, and BMB CompuScience, manufactured by Commodore
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 in 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 VIC-20 The VIC-20 home computer was one of the most successful Commodore products. Its prototype was previewed at the National Computer Convention in Chicago in June 1980 but, as a product, it was first launched three months later in Japan as VIC-1001. ``You are about to meet a friendly computer! Friendly in price, friendly in size, friendly to use and learn on and experience" proclaimed Commodore introducing its VIC-20 microcomputer. [From Personal Computing on the VIC-20: A Friendly Computer Guide, Commodore Business Machines, 1982, p. II.] Commodore sold 8000,000 VIC-20s world-wide in 1982, reached the one million mark early in 1983 when they were being shipped at the rate of 100,000 units per month, making the VIC-20 one of the best-selling computers of all times. Designed in the `computer-in-keyboard' style, the VIC-20 featured the MOS Technology 6502A processor, a BASIC interpreter in ROM, and easy to use QWERTY-style keyboard. The computer used an ordinary color TV set for the display. The high-resolution color graphics capabilities of the VIC-20 made the computer an attractive family entertainment box to rival the supremacy of gaming consoles. Indeed, in spite of its limitations the addition of an external disk drive, a low cost printer, and of a popular VICModem, made the VIC-20 ``the most user friendly computer on the market...friendly in price, friendly in size, friendly to use and expand.'' [From the back cover of Personal Computing on the VIC-20: a friendly computer guide, Commodore Business Machines, 1982.] From the start, Commodore provided the VIC-20 with the diverse software libraries on easy to use ROM cartridges and cassette tapes. Modems for the VIC-20, such as the VICmodem, allowed users to get on line and try electronic mail for the first time or to browse through the libraries of information available on computer bulletin board systems and commercial computer networks. A number of on-line services such as CompuServe, Delphi, Dow-Jones, Genie or The Source owed their popularity and growth to the low-cost VICmodem. In North America, the VIC-20 was sold for the strategically low price of $299.95 through mass merchandise retail outlets (such as K-Mart, Sears, and Toys-R-Us) as well as computer dealers and selected electronics stores. Some of the VIC-20s were manufactured by Commodore Business Machines Ltd., Canada. VIC-20 specifications CPU: MOS 6502 at approx. 1 MHz RAM: 5KB expandable to 32KB ROM: 20 KB occupied by BASIC 2.0 *8KB), KERNAL (8KB), and character set (4KB); external ROM cartridges, video processor: MOS 6560/6561 VIC, display: text node: 23 rows and 22 column graphics mode: 176×184 pixels sound: MOS 6560/6561 VIC, keyboard: 62 key QWERTY-style keyboard with additional four function keys, ports: expansion port (for various types of cartridges), Audio/Video port, floppy disk drive/printer port, cassette tape storage port, user port (general purpose serial/parallel port), serial bus IO port, game port (for connecting a joystick, a paddle, or a lightpen), peripherals: modems (e.g. the VICmodem), floppy disk drives (e.g. the VIC-1540), cassette tape drives (e.g. the C2N), printers (e.g. the 1525 printer), Museum holdings Commodore VIC-20, serial nr 662878 manufactured by Commodore Business Machines Ltd., Canada, Commodore VIC-20, serial nr P1105919 manufactured by Commodore Business Machines Ltd., Canada, Commodore Datassette, serial number S796519, Commodore C2N Cassette, serial nr 1734692, with operating instructions, Commodore VIC 1541 floppy disk drive, serial nr 2092779, with user's manual and guide, Commodore 1520 printer, serial nr 007931, Commodore VICmodem, Model 1600, serial nr. 060749, Pocket Modem for Commodore systems, Commodore VIC 1211A Super Expander, 3KB (with documentation), Xetec Super Graphix Jr printer interface, extensive library of educational, entertainment, and personal software on VIC-20 ROM cartridges and cassette tapes, VIC-20 manuals, guides, books, and promotional literature.
An image of the Ottawa office of Computel Systems Ltd.
Computel Systems Ltd. promotional brochure