1103s

[Chris Elmquist]

On Monday (11/15/2010 at 09:48PM +0000), Tony Duell wrote:
> > Having worked with 1103's I would argue that by modern standards
> > Even the "cream of the crop" were little above floor sweepings.
> 
> Was it that a lot of new 1103s were DOA, oe what there a problem with 
> them fialing in use, or what?
> 
> The reason I ask is that I have several old HP calculators full of 1103s, 
> and AFAIK all are original (and gettign on for 40 years old). So far, 
> otuch wood, I've not had any problems with the RAM in these machines.

I was just reading about 1103's in The History of the Advanced Scientific
Computer (aka, TI ASC), here,

http://www.textfiles.com/bitsavers/pdf/ti/asc/ASC_History_May84.pdf

page 9,

	There was strong evidence that semiconductor memory would
	replace all other forms of memory then in use.	Thus, a project
	was set up under George Quimby to investigate memory alternatives
	(Appendix G).  Two memories were finally developed, high speed
	bipolar main memory (first installed in May 1972), and a lower
	speed MOS attached memory (first installed in mid 1972).
	We were one of the earliest users of the 1K Intel 1103 device.
	We had a contract with a firm in Canada who had government
	money to get into the semiconductor business and had an agreement
	with Intel to produce the 1103.  I remember this firm never made
	it and folded in the mid 70's.

-- 
Chris Elmquist