[vcf-midatlantic] our new museum -- micro exhibit -- pick 28! (Evan Koblentz)

[Bob Shuster]

> 1. Our homebrewed "Dudley" PDP-8 clone
> 2. Apple 1 (Mimeo)
> 3. Apple 2
> 4. Apple Lisa (2/10)
> 5. Apple Mac 128K
> 6. Apple Mac Portable
> 7. AT&T (but which one? 6300, 7300, or 3B2?)
> 8. Commodore PET 2001
> 9. Commodore 64
> 10. Commodore Amiga (500?)
> 11. Compaq Portable
> 12. HP-85B
> 13. IBM 5100
> 14. IBM 5150
> 15. IBM PC Jr.
> 16. IBM (or generic) Windows 3.1
> 17. IMSAI 8080
> 18. Mark-8
> 19. MITS Altair 8800
> 20. MOS Tech KIM-1
> 21. Osborne 1
> 22. Processor Tech SOL-20
> 23. Scelbi-8H (repro)
> 24. Sinclair ZX-80
> 25. SWTPC 6800
> 26. TRS-80 Model 1
> 27. TRS-80 Model 100
> 28. Xerox 860
> 
> And ..... go!

I believe an 8-bit Atari system needs to be part of any exhibit concerning early microcomputers, either an Atari 400 or Atari 800.  The first one came out in 1979 and was a logical extension to the successful Atari 2600 gaming console and was a big part of the “home computer as gaming console” movement.  Star Raiders was the best game and a big selling point!  If nothing else, Atari remained an important computer manufacturer, pushing the leading edge (for example first computer to include a MIDI interface with the ST line) and should be represented.

Also noticeably missing is the TI 99/4 or 4a.  Among the first (if not *the* first) 16-bit home computers, and the TI 99/4a held about 35% of the home computer market at its peak before Jack Tramiel and Commodore buried them.

I definitely believe Atari and Texas Instruments should be represented as important companies in early home computing.

I would also make a half-hearted appeal for a Mattel Aquarius computer, the least-successful home computer ever.  This came out in 1983 to compete with the VIC-20 and TI 99/4a, and was cancelled four months later.  About 8,000 were sold.

- Bob Shuster