Andrej Trebar Digital Equipment Corporation. 19 67 19 69 19 61 19 63 19 65 19 57 19 59 The MILL Laboratory modules August: Ken Olsen and Harlan Anderson.

Andrej Trebar

Digital Equipment Corporation

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

The MILLLaboratorymodules

August: Ken Olsen and Harlan Anderson found Digital Equipment Corporation and set up shop in an old woolen mill in Maynard, Massachusetts.

Laboratory modules were intended to sit on an engineer's workbench or be mounted in a scientist's equipment rack. To simplify the construction of logic systems, the modules were connected by simple cords with banana plugs.

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

The MILLLaboratorymodules

February:Digital's second product, Systems Modules, goes on the market.

July:By the end of its first fiscal year, Digital sells $94,000 worth of laboratory and systems modules and has 60 employees.

http://www.openvmshobbyist.com/openvms_history/timeline/1958-1.htm


1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

Memorytest

PDP 1

From a Digital technical report dated March 1960: "DEC1500 series memory testers -- complete systems for testing coincident current core memories under simulated computer conditions. DEC memory testers will test planes up to 64 by 64 with several patterns of information quickly and completely in a single operation."

The 3000 series Laboratory Modules ran at 500 kHz. The 4000 series Systems Modules ran at 1 MHz and were principal components in the PDP-4 and PDP-5. Shown here are the modules in place in a PDP-4.

PDP 4

A young hardware engineer named Ben Gurley was hired to design DIGITAL's first computer. Three and a half months later, the prototype Programmed Data Processor-1 (PDP-1) was complete. In December, the prototype was demonstrated at the Eastern Joint Computer Conference in Boston.

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

5000 and6000Seriesmodules

The LogicHandbook

DIGITAL's 5000 and 6000 series modules were made possible by the arrival of a new series of transistors. This second generation of modules ran at 10 MHz, compared to the first generation modules which ran at 5 MHz.

The Logic Handbook was an early project of Barbera Stephenson, the first woman hired as an engineer at DIGITAL. The Logic Handbook was the first in a long series of handbooks that worked both as textbooks and promotional tools. DIGITAL sent them to every customer and handed them out at trade shows.

PDP 1

From a technical bulletin on the PDP-1, dated March 1960: "...a compact, solid state general purpose computer with an internal instruction execution rate of 100,000 to 200,000 operations per second. PDP-1 is a single address, single construction, stored program machine with a word length of 18-bits operating in parallel on 1's complement binary numbers."

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

DECUS

The PDP-4 was aimed at applications with not many calculations, but rather the single manipulation of input and output, such as controlling a bakery or fleet of elevators. "As computers [like the PDP-4] become smaller and less expensive," said Bell, "they will take over some special system types...then the computer becomes a 'module' of the system."

PDP 4

DECUS evolved because engineers needed a forum to share information and computer programs for DIGITAL's first computer, the PDP-1. Founded on the idea of open exchange of information between user and manufacturer, DECUS has grown to be one of the largest users' groups in the computer industry, with a total membership of about 100,000 and 23 chapters worldwide. The DECUS logo is a stylized version of the PDP-1 "TYPE 30" point scope.

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

PDP-1Operatingsystem

Similar in structure to the PDP-1, the PDP-4 used slower memory and different packaging to achieve a lower price of $65,000. Approximately 54 PDP-4s were sold in application areas as diverse as nuclear physics, production and stock control.

PDP-4

The PDP-1 operating system's timesharing ability made interactive access to computers economically viable by allowing various users to share the computer simultaneously. Shown here is the PDP-1 installation at BBN.

Bell based the PDP-5 on a 12-bit digital controller (the DC-12) that DIGITAL had designed in 1961 but never built. Bell specified the instruction set in the fall of 1962. Design work was continued by Edson deCastro in early 1963. Shown here is the 7th PDP-5 built.

PDP-5

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

PDP-5

The 8000 series modules, also known as VHF modules, ran at 30 MHz. The modules were used to build high performance systems. The technology developed in the VHF modules was used in the timesharing capabilities of the PDP-6. Shown here is a PDP-6 during testing.

PDP-6

The PDP-5 was innovative in replacing the radial structure of earlier designs with an I/O bus. By allowing peripheral equipment to be added incrementally -- rather than preallocating space, wiring and cable drivers -- the I/O bus design lowered the base costs of the system and simplified the configuring of machines in the field.

In March, DIGITAL opened its first European sales and service office with three people in Munich, Germany. At the same time, the first Canadian sales office opened with two people in Ottawa.

Serviceengineers

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

Flip Chip modules were built of discrete transistors, diodes, resistors and capacitors. The series was designed so that backplanes could be wire-wrapped automatically, reducing costs and increasing production line throughput. Flip Chips became the basis for the PDP-8.Tops 10 was developed from a 6-K word monitor for the PDP-6. It included user files and I/O device independence, a command control program and multiprocessing capabilities. Here an operator programs a PDP-6 using papertape.A successor to the PDP-4, the PDP-7 used smaller, more conventional system units and was well received in laboratory and data acquisition applications. The machine featured DIGITAL's first mass-storage based operating system (DECsys for DECtape). Ultimately, 120 PDP-7s were produced and sold.

PDP-7

By 1971, Digital was the largest consumer of magnetic core memories other than IBM. Digital built its own magnetic core manufacturing business and by the mid-1970s was producing 30 billion magnetic cores per year.

Flip Chip PDP-6 Tops 10

MagneticCorememory


1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

The PDP-7A, a second version of the PDP-7, used the newly annouced R series Flip Chip modules. The machine pictured was built for Concord Control Corporation.

PDP-8 SpecificationsWord Length: 12 BitsSpeed: 1.5 micro- second cycle timePrimary memory: 4K 12-bit word core memorySecondary memory: 32K maximumInstruction set: 3-bit op code, 1 indirect bit; 8 bits of addressInput/Output: teletype (ASR-33) includes paper-tape reader and punchPower: 780 wattsPrice: $18,000

PDP-8

The PDP-6 was operated and programmed from Boston using a 12,000 mile, 5 hole telex code. It proved very difficult to generate a control C in 5 hole code.

PDP-7APDP-6Remoteoperation

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

The PDP-9 featured a speed increase of approximately twice that of the PDP-7. The PDP-9 was also one of the first small or medium scale computers to have a keyboard monitor system based on DIGITAL's own small magnetic tape units (DECtape).

The size of a file-cabinet drawer, the PDP-8/S model's cost reduction came from implementing the PDP-8 instruction set serially.

PDP-8/S

The LINC-8 was based on a previous design from Lincoln Labs to penetrate the emerging biomedical computer market. The computer incorporated both the LINC (Laboratory Instrument Computer) processor and the PDP-8 processor unit.

PDP-9 LINC-8

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

The 36-bit PDP-10 was program-compatible with the PDP-6 and approximately twice as powerful. Designed to perform conversational timesharing, batch-processing and real-time operations equally well and simultaneously, the PDP-10 achieved great popularity with the commercial timesharing utilities, university computer centers and research laboratories.

The new, noise-immune K series Flip Chip module line was used for control applications in industrial computers. By 1975, DIGITAL produced approximately 200 different types of K series modules.

K seriesFlip Chip

M series modules were used in the first redesign of the PDP-8, called the PDP-8/I, and were used in the first PDP-11 (PDP-11/20), the second PDP-10 processor (KI10) and the PDP-8/E. M series modules were DIGITAL's first logic cards to use integrated circuits.

PDP-10M seriesmodules

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

The PDP-8/I was more expandable (and expensive) than the PDP-8/S. Introduced at the same time was the PDP-8/L, a smaller OEM version of the 8/I. (The PDP-8/I is pictured.)

PDP-8 based EDUsystems, using the BASIC language developed at Dartmouth College, brought computers into elementary and secondary schools. EDUsystems were designed to start small and expand as the school's computing requirements increased.

EDUsystems

The TYPESET-8 hardware and software package originally sold with the classic PDP-8 as its CPU and functioned as a computerized typesetting system for use in hot metal and photo composition typesetting.

PDP-8/I TYPESET-8

1967 19691961 1963 19651957 1959

The PDP-14: K series modules were used to develop noise-immune I/O units for this completely new, solid state controller that controlled operations by solving Boolean equations. Applications in the relay-logic marketplace included an automatic racking and stacking system, control of machine tools and sequencing.

The PDP-12 was used in applications such as chemistry, applied psychology, patient monitoring and industrial testing. The machine incorporated the PDP-8/I and LINC-8 instruction sets, making it compatible with LINC-8 software. In addition to a display-based operating system, software packages were included for data acquisition and display, Fourier analysis and spectrometry.

PDP-12

The PDP-15 was DIGITAL's last 18-bit computer system and the only one implemented with integrated circuits. The new machine was faster and less expensive than its predecessors and had the added sophistication of a separate I/O processor To the CPU. Over 400 of these machines were ordered in the first eight months of production.

PDP-14 PDP-15

Vir:Fortune 500 Database, www.fortune.com; Innosight analysis

Revenues US $Millions

CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%

IBM PC introduced:1981

Apple II introduced: 1977

4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998

Compaq buys DEC:1998

0

1974 1976 19781970 1972



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1970

PDP-8/E PDP-11/20 VT 05



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1971

PDP-11/45 RSTS11CSI



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1972

PDP-11/40 PDP-11/05



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1973

RSX-11D RT-11DEC Data CommunicationsMessage Protocol



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1974

RSX-11M LA 36DECwriter II

MPS DEC LSI microporcessor



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1975

LSI-11 PDP 11/34 VAX 11/780 commitee VT52



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1976

WPS-8 DECSYSTEM-20



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1977

PDP-11/60DEC-STATION

VAX11/780



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1978

VMS 1.0 VT-100



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1979

LSI 11 PDP-11/23 PDP-11/44



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1980

DECnet ETHERNET VAX11-750



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1981

PDP 11-24 VT125 DECmate



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1982

VAX11-730Prof300

ALL in 1



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1983

VAXcluster

SWdelivery

LSI-11/73

J-11



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1984

VAX11/785VAX8600

VAX station



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1985

Micro VAXIIVAXChipset

PDP 11/83



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1986

FirewallVAX8800

VAXmate



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1987

VAX8974

VAXStation2000

MicroVAX3600



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1988

VAX6200

VMS5.0

DigitalStorageSystem Interconnect

CVAX



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1989

DECStation3100

VAX6300

RigelChipset

VAX9000



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1990

VAXft3000

PDP 11/9311/94

VAX6500



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1991

EZ51VAX6600

DigitalMicrosoft



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1992

AplhaVAX7000

DECpclp

Alphafamily



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1993

Storageworks

Serviceswww

WindowsNT forAlpha



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1994

Digital2100 ASPserver

Alpha21164

Celebris Venturis



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1995

Alphaserver8400

DECSwitch900

Digital&

MicrosoftAltavista



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1996

PriorisZX5133MPserver

SA110StrongARM

PriorisHX6000



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1997

9GBDiskdrive

Customersupport

Milicent



CAGR 1974-1981

37%

CAGR 1981-1989

20%

CAGR 1989-1997:

3%



4,000

8,000

12,000

16,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


0

1974 1976 19781970 1972

1998

Andrej Trebar Digital Equipment Corporation. 19 67 19 69 19 61 19 63 19 65 19 57 19 59 The MILL Laboratory modules August: Ken Olsen and Harlan Anderson.

Documents

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memory test pdp

series laboratory modules

vhf modules

generation of modules

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