[vcf-midatlantic] [EXTERNAL] A 4004 Based Microcomputer the Comstar System 4

[Bob Roswell]

Very well researched!
Thanks
Bob
Computer Museum @ System Source

-----Original Message-----
From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces at lists.vcfed.org> On Behalf Of Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 12:33 PM
To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org>
Cc: Christian Liendo <cliendo at gmail.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [vcf-midatlantic] A 4004 Based Microcomputer the Comstar System 4

A number of years ago I got my hands on a Comstar Programmer, it programmed roms for a computer called the Comstar System 4.

I was told both the programmer and the System 4 were intel 4004 based.
I asked around and kept getting told no computer was 4004 based.

I really didn't do much due diligence just some searching here and there but I found enough to show that the computer did exist and was
4004 based.

The website "Internet Scripophily Museum of Computing" has a page on the history of The Warner & Swasey Company. It's a decent timeline of the company

http://ismoc.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-warner-swasey-company.html

In "Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers" April 1976, the computer is mentioned on page 54 and page 70. On page 70 are the specifications and they show it being 4004 based.

http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/auerbach/Auerbach_Guide_to_Minicomputers_Apr76.pdf

In the IEEE Spectum May 1975 on page 26 the compiler and the System 4 are talked about having a 4004

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=6368812

In the ACM's archives "Development of a portable compiler for industrial microcomputer systems" by LEROY H. ANDERSON The Warner & Swasey Company, it discusses the system and has images on the unit.

https://www.computer.org/csdl/pds/api/csdl/proceedings/download-article/12OmNzRqdD4/pdf

And finally the Computer History Museum put the manual up for download.

https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102686568

I'm still trying to get more info, but I think this is some decent evidence to show there was a 4004 based computer in 1972