On Tue, May 28, 2024 at 8:15 AM Dave Dunfield via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> >With respect, I have studied the 1956 Royal McBee LGP-23 (and later -30)
> at
> >length and found one could easily use this computer as a "personal
> >computer".
>
> I've not see one of these - that's a VERY early system! Sounds like it
> could have been used for "personal" computing - but was it common and
> inexpensive enough that "average people" could have one?
>

I don't consider whether a computer is inexpensive enough for the average
person to use as a criteria for whether a computer could be considered by
nature a personal computer.  The key for me is "by nature".    The manual
and training materials for the LGP-30, which I have studied and worked with
extensively, walk the average person how to use it as if it were a personal
computer, even if they don't use that term in the manuals.  I believe the
LGP-30's were for the academic market, and large companies who had research
labs.  The materials I have are from DuPont in Wilmington Delaware.

In the 50's a personal computer would be the same cost as a house, but can
the average person afford a house now?  Does that no longer make it a
house?  I did not have enough money to buy a Sinclair TS1000 when they
first came out, my parents would never have bought one as it would have
appeared a frivolous expense then.  But no one would argue that the TS1000
(ZX81) was a personal computer.


>
> I just went on Ed Roberts claim to be one who coined the term "Personal
> Computer" - I've not found any specific references to this term pre-dating
> 1975 ... but who knows! (I've not really looked that hard :-)
>
> Not everyone speaks English, who knows if there is a Spanish, German,
French, etc. use of the term.  It would be hard to claim "first" of
anything like that.


>
> >One might find it pretty easy to program "Hunt the Wumpus" ...
>
>
>
The LGP-30 had 3 tubes in it's clock module card, it was not a small, easy
to move system, but it was contained in a single piece of furniture.  My
vote is for the LGP-30 to be considered among the first electronic personal
computers.  In simplest terms - a computer with an instruction set,
programmable, saved programs, has RAM of some sort, electronic (not
analog).  Analog computers are a separate class as far as I am concerned,
as are mechanical calculators, etc.

The LGP-30 pre-dates the Bendix 15 and no where in any of those user
manuals does it indicate anything hinting at personal use of the computer.
IT was designed and marketed as a miniconmputer / industrial tool computer.

Bill

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