The Computer Archive  Preserving the history of companies that advanced the computer revolution

Last night, I posted the Olympic Sales Catalog from 1982. This one contains a good bit of computer stuff but also some consumer electronics stuff like calculators, typewriters, televisions, video games and such.

With this, I’m starting to limit the size of 300 dpi scans to 25 pages per PDF file. That should keep the file sizes fairly reasonable for those with moderately quick connections and yet allow me to keep the quality high.

Also, if you see the links page break tonight, I’m working on it…

Tonight I posted a really nifty, early microcomputer era catalog from 1978. Advanced Computer Products used to sell electronic components from resisters to ICs as well as computers. Basically the first half is components and electronic assembly stuff and the second file has the computers in it.

These scans were rather difficult because the catalog was printed on newsprint which had yellowed, had poor-to-no contrast and on top of that, the pages were crooked on the paper! I did scan them at 400 dpi due to all of the small print and spent some time getting the scan settings as best as I could. However don’t complain if pages aren’t perfect. This one was a challenge!

One interesting computer I had forgotten about was the Imsai PCS-80/30 which resembles the Kaypro luggable (page 38.) Also on page 47 is a board that lets you talk to your computer which I recall requiring extensive training and only having a very limited vocabulary. The CompuTalker CT-1 speech synthesizer on the same page sounded very rough but if you formed your words just right, it was actually quite passable. I had even forgot about the ADM 1A and 2A terminals, higher end models than the classic Lear Siegler ADM 3A’s.

Anyhow, there is a lot to enjoy in this one!

By the miracle of modern technology, I am posting this from a laptop with a Verizon mobile broadband card, in a restaurant, with performance better than my “Brand C” cable modem at home. Did they order the cable modem equipment from a catalog on this site? Where’s the acoustical coupler?

I’m just posting a single file that’s not a computer, strictly-speaking, but I’m going to include them on the site because (a) most models are programmable and (b) I have a fondness for HP RPN calculators. I still miss my HP 16C that I loaned out and never got back… Also, The Museum of HP Calculators is a superb resource for HP calculators!

Anyhow, expect a few more “consumer electronics-ish” catalogs to be posted. I figure that I’ll scatter a few in, especially since computers helped advance the electronics industry and it will be interesting to watch them develop in parallel.

Tonight I scanned the Cromemco catalog from Autumn 1980. I divided it up into two pieces to keep the size down but it is well worth the download as it is a great snapshot of a full-line manufacturer. Unix/Linux fans will spot the availability of the Cromix operating system. Also look at the Super Dazzler, an early NTSC-output graphics card that was used my television stations for their weather graphics for years. Anyhow, I’ve got a soft spot for Cromemco that was certainly acquired from many hours in front of a Cromemco Z-2 and Soroc IC 120 terminal.

Take a look in the archive under Computers and Apple and you’ll find the original Macintosh ad printed in December of 1983, before the famous 1984 SuperBowl TV ad. Note the photo and quote from Bill Gates…