Hardware Hobbyists vs. Emulator Jockeys

[Warren Wolfe]

Roger Holmes wrote:
>
> On 16 Jun 2009, at 18:00, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org wrote:

Ladies and Gentlemen, now HERE is a man who knows how to collect classic 
computers.

> From: Warren Wolfe <lists at databasics.us>
>> Roger Holmes wrote:
>>> My machine was killed off by the introduction of the 360, i.e. its 
>>> older.
>>> The ICT1301 was announced 1959 and my one (the first to leave the
>>> factory) was shipped in 1962.
>>> The IBM 360 was I understand announced in 1965, probably shipped quite
>>> soon after.
>>
>> You have the FIRST computer of a type manufactured and shipped in 1962?
>
> Yes that's right. The University of London twisted ICT's arm by saying 
> if they did not fulfil the order, there would not be any undergraduate 
> intake in 1962 and they would make sure everybody knew who was to 
> blame. ICT made an extra prototype machine and shipped it. Every few 
> weeks a group of engineers would come out and spend a day fitting the 
> latest modifications to the prototype to bring it up to date. Students 
> were not allowed anywhere near the machine, it was used purely for 
> administrative purposes, plus putting examination results into grades 
> and printing the pass slips and certificates. On de-commissioning it 
> was offered to some engineering students who ran it as a bureaux come 
> commune (this was the 1960s) on a what customers could afford basis. 
> For instance it handled the membership list of the legalise cannabis 
> movement which could not afford much but did not want their data got 
> at by the authorities. That generated a few problems with the powers 
> that be for the then owners. I bought it from them around 1977.
>
>> That is a truly major score.  That's freaking HISTORIC.  Good lord, do
>> you store it in your house?
>
> It would not fit in my house. It is in a barn that used to be used for 
> breeding rabbits (there's a job you'd think was easy) until they were 
> wiped out by myxomatosis and the owners went bust.
>
>>  How much power does it use?
>
> 13kVA three phase. It weighs about five tons and occupies 700 square 
> feet.
Oh, my, that would be.... about $15/hr. here.  Ouch.  But, again, this 
is EPIC collecting.  Truly.  I'm so impressed, and more than a little 
jealous...  Wow, a prototype that has been upgraded.  Simply mind-boggling.


Warren