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