Vintage computer SCELBI 8B Microcomputer 1975

Updated 5/5/17
Some time ago I noticed a request in one of the Microcomputer Retro group postings " any SCELBI microcomputer collectors out there ?"   I remembered that years ago I received one for my historical collection & had not looked at the computer for 20 years or more.  This perked up my interest and I replied that I had one and would find it in the storage warehouse. This started some very interesting dialog for me as I knew about the SCELBI computers of the mid 70's but did not really know much  about the one in our collection.
                                                                                                          Click on photo's to enlarge

SCELBI in David's Collection

I was asked by the collector looking for others with a SCELBI - was mine a model H or B? Frankly I did not know which model  it was and took photos & sent to the collector.  A few emails back and forth I learned mine was a B (Business model) and that very few had been identified in existing collections.  Mike Willegal  heard that I had one and ask for some photos. WOW - he reported only three were known to be in collections and mine made the fourth.  Mike has a great blog and is very active in making exact reproductions of some of the rare and interesting microcomputers and you can see his work on his  blog  - He is making reproduction cards of the SCELBI at this time and has some operational.  Mike is a very serious historian and collector of microcomputers. One of his many projects is maintaining the "Apple 1 Registry" with only 46 units positively identified at this time.

            David give a little history about this SCELBI Microcomputer

Original Receipt for SCELBI cards

The current interest in the SCELBI microcomputers really gave me the incentive to look closely at mine.  The microcomputer looks to be in good condition and well built.  I obtained the computer from Robert S. Forman who was a skilled craftsmen when he built it - you can see this in some of the  photos on this post.

The SCELBI came with a lot of documentation in nice condition. The original receipt for the SCELBI cards purchased in 1975 is signed by Robert Findley co-founder with Nat Wadsworth of the SCELBI company.

Nat Wadsworth SCELBI start up in his words.    Nat has indicated that about 200 computers were made
by SCELBI 1/2 kit and 1/2 assembled  units & about 1/2 the total were 8B models.

Note with Carl Helmers original signature
SCELBI Computer

Included is a note with an original signature of Carl Helmers when he was publishing his ECS newletters dated February 15, 1975.  Carl Helmers went on to be the first editor of "Byte Magazine" September 1975.

Many manuals, other operating documents and copies of the only four SCELBI newsletters published also included.  Very interesting reading.

SCELBI Catalog

The first advertisement published by SCELBI was in the March 1974 issue of QST magazine.  I have a copy of the magazine to go with the documents.

Copies of the only 4 SCELBI newsletters

Custom Cassette Interface card

Side view SCELBI Computer

The side view shows some of the custom interface cards and bus connectors for them.

The larger card with the gold IC is a "Digital Group" TV Typewriter card. Mike Willegal reports this is the only one with built in video card.  The computer has the normal switch register input and a keyboard input. Robert Forman the builder of this unit put a lot of time and his passion into making this really nice computer. Some may think the wood frame case holding the computer is a strange way to mount the unit however for the early days of home built microcomputers this is a beauty.

                                            Additional post about the SCELBI Computer


This SCELBI computer along with the entire 30 tons of my "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer collection"  is now located in the "Computer Museum of America" in Roswell, Georgia ( moved March 2016). 

Gaynell my wife & I, Dee Wallace

 In my previous post I mentioned wearing many hats. Here I am with the full LCF Group - me & my wife Gaynell and our associate of many years Dee Wallace.  The group  manages our different activities and of course one of those is the "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum" and collection.  We have also been active for over 40 years in farming and doing rural development. We were major Christmas tree growers for more than 25 years and continue work with helping others obtain their dream land here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Look here for some of these activities http//:www.virginiamountainland.com Chantilly Farm

David Larsen

.^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}   
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