Computer Museum Curator's Birthday -David Larsen KK4WW is 77 November 17,2015

LR brothers Howard, Chris & myself Dave

This time of year I always reflect on where I have been for the past 77 years (November 17,1938) and what is ahead for the next unknown years. A reflection on my family of 5 brothers & one sister always comes to mind first. The family is small now with only 3 of us brothers still kicking dirt above ground.  Chris (83 years),brother Howard (94 years) and myself  remaining. My parents were just great folks and they grew up in hard times during the early 1900's and Great Depression. Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles long gone now and memories faded.

Happy Birthday Dave

LR Chris & wife Thema, Me & wife Gaynell,
Howard

We had a great time during our September 2015 visit to home of Howard - Missouri.

Here we are in Branson having a wonderful BBQ lunch at the famous "BBQ Hut".

This is all the family I have still remaining - down to some second cousins that I do not know. All parents,aunts & uncles, first cousins have passed on.Don't wait to have that family time.

I grew up during the 40's & 50's & the Aunts & Uncles were scattered far and wide from my home and I did not get to know any of them very well.   Cousin's - their are many dozens and I know only a few of them - This is so sad for me.

I do get together as often as possible with my two brothers and always wonder - Will this be the last time? I wrote this in 2014 and we  did get together again in September 2015 - we are sure all getting to look older and my brother Howard at 94 is still living an independent life in his own home but getting a bit on the feeble on his feet.

Brother Howard is a writer and he wrote this "Ode" about our mother. He is correct she was a great Mom always showing us her love. Mother was born in 1899, 99 years old and died in 1999. We enjoyed her loving care for many years.
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“An Ode To Mother”

I was standing by mother's bedside, watching and praying, as she lay in her tilted bed. Passing the time was very sad. God entered my soul and changed things. “Your mother is on her way to heaven to spend the rest of her days with dad.” Dad went to heaven several years ago. I lost my best friend.

You have been such a comfort to me mom. Your ninety nine years on earth have finally come to an end. As I walk this earth and get older each day, I'll have the rest of the family to enjoy as they work or play.

My children grew up knowing their Grandma. Her love was something they always would feel. At the end of the day before leaving, you would make them a tasty cooked meal. You never had a harsh word, always giving praise when I was around. Mothers and Grandmothers like you are someone that's hard to be found.

When I was just a youngster, we lived on a farm in the woods. You were always up early doing chores and working real hard. When that work was finished you chopped wood in the yard. We bathed ourselves in a galvanized tub. You were always there to give us a scrub.

In the winter you were outside working sometimes in the wind and blowing snow. You never gave up till your face turned red. Then you would go inside, clean up, put some wood in the old cook stove and make cinnamon rolls, and homemade bread. These are the things you did all your life, besides making my dad a wonderful wife. You lived several years after dad passed away, just part of your family is left here to stay.

I will stay here for the rest of my life remembering the good, forgetting the sad. You will be resting in heaven while living with dad. “Goodbye Mother” As you have been lifted above, you have left this earth with all of my love.

I am feeling good now forgetting the sad. When you are resting in heaven say hello and give my love to Dad.

Your Loving Son Howard

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Dad Will, me  & Mom Ruth  1945

This photo brings back the good memories of my mother and father. I was 7 years old in 1945 and in the back ground is a 1941 Chevrolet - just delivered. Dad ordered the Chevy in 1941 however World War ll delayed the delivery by 4 years. 

David Larsen

I am counting down - only 23 to go ?  Could be 23 years or 23 seconds & I vote for the 23 years but sure know I don't have full control of the timing.  I am looking forward to slowing down in the next few years - don't need to travel much as been there done that - I would say just enjoy our children, grandchildren & great grandchildren and the great outdoors we have here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

.^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}   
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Vintage Computer Univac 8008 Microcomputer - Craig Solomonson collection

info click

Univac 8008 microcomputer

Craig Solomonson and I had our first correspondence 20 years ago when he offered me one of his Apple-1 computers. I did not purchase that one and it sold recently to Marco Boglione for  $216,000. Craig bought that one from the original owner in Great Falls, Montana and later sold it to a collector in California for $25,000. He in turn sold it on eBay for $50,000 and then it went to Italy.

The Univac 8008 computer Craig has is rare and is most likely the only one in any collection. 

Here are some of Craig's comments about the Univac 8008. Craig's video about this computer. 

David, we corresponded a bit a few years ago about an early Intel SIM8-01 micro system that I had. It seemed to be a relative to your MCB8-10 system. Well, I finally found out the story behind my system….

Update 1-7-16 Craig did a very nice write up last year about this computer system for "The VIP Club" view "CLICK"

 "Click" on photo to enlarge 

Univac 8008 microcomputer

It was built by the Univac R&D Division in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1972. They were carefully monitoring the developments at Intel with regard to their 4004 and 8008 microprocessors being developed. Part of their research was to construct actual computer systems to research and then build an application using the 8008. They started by building a 4-bit system similar to the one I have using the SIM4-01 and MP7-01 boards. That unit was completed and being demonstrated by March of 1972. They ordered the 8-bit system (SIM8-01 and MP7-02) when it was announced in April of 1972 and construction took place during the summer of 1972. Univac designed and built their own interfaces for these systems and used a Teletype for I/O. The Univac 8008 "8-Bit Micro Computer System" in my collection was complete and being demonstrated to various Univac divisions and military organizations by early fall of 1972.


I visited with one of the Univac engineers that did some of the programming and he said that only very simple programs were used in demonstrations--like doing simple math operations or it asked for your name, you typed it in on the teletype and it printed some phrase using your name.

Univac spared no expense in developing this system as seen in the construction and fabrication of the cases which are thick, deep red translucent plastic. Not only is it a very aesthetically designed, but it has to be one of the very first 8-bit computers fully assembled and operational. 

Univac 8008 microcomputer

That system has always fascinated me and I figured it had to be one of the earliest 8-bit systems ever assembled. I have gone through several boxes of Univac Engineer log books in the Charles Babbage Institute archives, but so far have not found a log book for the development of this computer. I know that Univac ordered the boards as soon as they were announced and the SIM8-01 board in the computer is a very early one. I also know that it was done and being programmed in the fall of 1972. However, that engineer could not remember when it was actually completed. I think that the engineer who did the actual design and circuitry for the interface is still alive and living in Minnesota, but he will not respond to phone calls or emails. Hopefully I will find another engineer on the project that might remember more details and hopefully dates.

More interesting information:
A video Craig made this month about his collection and the 

1972 Univac 8008 Micro Computer System - One of the First 8-Bit Computers!

Video Craig made in 1996 of  one of his Apple-1 computers - he sold this one and now it is with collector in Italy. 

 Craig comments "I have a modest collection of early micros and they are shown on my website."

David Larsen

 I was very glad to hear from Craig about his Univac 8008 computer. I saw a photo of his 8008 computer several years ago and asked him about it at that time. Now he has a good idea about the origin and the very interesting history about the computer. These very first microcomputer systems are important to preserve and make known to the interested public. 

Thank you - Craig for sharing this information and I hope the blog will help inform people about your unique vintage Univac.

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

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Vintage Computer Volksmodem 70's 300 baud modem

Bugbooks

Volksmodem

I found this vintage Volksmodem while searching for some papers in the "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum" warehouse. It is new and never been out of the box until now.  It is a good example of an early low priced modem.

Here is a video of the Volksmodem 'CLICK'
    
 'The Universal Interface for Computer Communications by  Telephone'

• Connects directly to a wall jack
• Telephone receiver jack with Voice/Data
• 300 baud ( bits per second )
• Bell 103 compatible
• Originate/answer mode automatically selected
• Battery powered, low drain for long life ( batteries not included )Made in USA

Manufactured by Anchor Automation,6913 Valjean  Avenue, Van Nuys, California 91406
Enlarge the photo's by clicking on them and then even more by a right click and select "View image' you can easily read the text

Back of Box 

To interconnect the Volksmodem you need appropriate cable, computer, telephone, appropriate software and in some cases a serial communications port or card.

one sided circuit board

Volksmodem Specifications 300 baud

 The instructions and manual are so simple. This should be easy to use.

That's me David at age 5 1943

WOW  Here I am with my mother Ruth and dad William in 1943. I was 5 years old .  Five years later I had a crystal radio and that started my life long interest in electronics. I received my amateur radio call license( W7VZW now KK4WW ) in 1954 at age 15. I have said may times my folks were old time farm people. They did have a car here but early in their marriage they used a horse and buggy. I have great pictures of their early days -- really interesting.
^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}   
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