By David Larsen-KK4WW

 

All hobbies, products, reoccurring events and topics of great interest generate magazines or newsletters. Now with the world wide web the shift is to forums and blogs online. During the late 70’s and 80’s dozens of computer magazines were published, however most had a very short life – just like most of the early microcomputers. First was the simple newsletters and a few of them became successful magazine publications. Most likely the first real microcomputer magazine was “Byte” and interestingly it lasted through all the publishing wars and is still a popular computer magazine.

I first learned to program a computer by taking a class at Virginia Tech which taught Fortran IV on the IBM370 main frame using punch cards for data entry.   The year was 1978 and it was an enjoyable class.  We worked at our own pace and were graded on our mastery of the subject as measured by how many programs we  completed and how well we solved the problem in logic given. Then came  video terminals in place of the punch cards for a chemistry class. Very cool stuff.

David Larsen of the LCF Group shares his views about an important time in history, related to the microcomputer revolution.  Important dates and milestones are shared in this article.

David Larsen gives details about, and the "story behind" the well-known BugBook Series.

David Larsen of LCF Group explains briefly the progression of electronic devices - from the vacuum tube to microprocessor chip.

David Larsen describes the significance of this Mark 8 microcomputer from 1974. His former colleague, Jon Titus, designed it.

View this 1922 model DT-600 DeForest Crystal Radio as part of a micro museum display at Floyd Professional Center at Floyd Village Green in Virginia.

LCF Group is host

2 Sphere microcomputer systems are a wonderful addition to Dave's historical computer collection!

I have been a serious collector of electronic historical items for 40 years and have over the years developed a significant collection of historical microcomputers.  The US Navy sent me to computer school in 1957 at the Remington Rand Corporation in St. Paul, Minnesota.  That was the start of my interest in computers.  Back then a modest computer was as large as a normal ranch house in area and would only run without failure for about 20 minutes. This, of course, required a repair team of about 10 expert technicians on duty at all times. These systems used tubes and required a very large air conditioning system to keep the computer from over heating.