Datapoint: The Lost Story of the Texans Who Invented the Personal Computer Revolution
by Lamont Wood
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Pub Date Mar 29 2013 | Archive Date Jun 20 2013
Description
Forget Apple and IBM. For that matter forget Silicon Valley. The first personal computer, a self-contained unit with its own programmable processor, display, keyboard, internal memory, telephone interface, and mass storage of data was born in San Antonio TX. US Patent number 224,415 was filed November 27, 1970 for a machine that is the direct lineal ancestor to the PC as we know it today. The story begins in 1968, when two Texans, Phil Ray and Gus Roche, founded a firm called Computer Terminal Corporation. As the name implies their first product was a Datapoint 3300 computer terminal replacement for a mechanical Teletype. However, they knew all the while that the 3300 was only a way to get started, and it was cover for what their real intentions were - to create a programmable mass-produced desktop computer. They brought in Jack Frassanito, Vic Poor, Jonathan Schmidt, Harry Pyle and a team of designers, engineers and programmers to create the Datapoint 2200. In an attempt to reduce the size and power requirement of the computer it became apparent that the 2200 processor could be printed on a silicon chip. Datapoint approached Intel who rejected the concept as a "dumb idea" but were willing to try for a development contract. Intel belatedly came back with their chip but by then the Datapoint 2200 was already in production. Intel added the chip to its catalog designating it the 8008. A later upgrade, the 8080 formed the heart of the Altair and IMSI in the mid-seventies. With further development it was used in the first IBM PC-the PC revolution's chip dynasty. If you're using a PC, you're using a modernized Datapoint 2000.
Advance Praise
5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Story of the PC, January 2, 2013
By AOR - See all my reviews
This review is from: Datapoint: The Lost Story of the Texans Who Invented the
Personal Computer Revolution (Paperback)
Lamont provides insight about the true origin of the first integrated personal
computer, washing away the incomplete lore and popular distortions that many in
the computer industry have come to accept. It turns out to be more complex and
interesting than is commonly understood by the public and most of those who
worked on computer design during the 60's, 70s and 80's.
I believe this is the most informed and complete account written about Computer
Terminal Corp/Datapoint Corp, the key role they played in creating the PC
revolution and their sustained innovation and presence in the industry for
decades. Lamont has done his research well, providing both corroborated facts
and balanced assessment of areas where individual recollections differ.
If you want to really understand how mainframe and time share computing
transitioned to the PC revolution and who the true players were, read Lamont's
book. It is well written, interesting history, challenging to the status quo
and valuable remembrance of how innovative individuals act in teams to build
technology foundations that drive new world views.
Available Editions
EDITION | Paperback |
ISBN | 9781936449361 |
PRICE | $19.95 (USD) |