Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-1 Memoranda For 1962
Source Documents
The following records are a very incomplete listing selected from the available correspondence, letters, memoranda and reports published by the Computer History Museum. Refer to their Collections and contents for the complete records. The references below may only contain the title or a brief summary of a Memorandum's contents. A subset will contain an extract of a memorandum, and rarely, some will have nearly most of a record. Do not rely on any of the information below, always refer to the source material published by the Computer History Museum. The listings below are only a fraction of the material published by the Computer History Museum. Any copyright of the Computer History Museum remains with the Computer Museum.
DEC records are not organised as a single stream organised into a simple timeline but consists of multiple batches of records in multiple, ovelapping, forward or reversed timelines. There can be multiple copies of a record in different batches. A single batch can appear in different subsets of the DEC Collection. The following was selected to trace the history and produce a timeline for the PDP-1. Other records are included purely out of curiosity, or a whim. You have been warned.
Bob Fitzer called Thursday, January 4th to ask for late photos of the PDP Computer. There is a design contest for Product Design magazine which I believe is aimed at relationships like the one we had with Van Dyke Associates. They would like to enter our computer in this contest.
The material has to be sent in by January 15th. I told him that we would send photos immediately to them, and then, if they wanted anything else we would take new photos for them. Will you be sure to get these photographs out immediately. If they cannot go for some reason, please let me know. Bob thinks the photograph should show the computer with the oscilloscope next to it. I believe that he would like to show-off the design ties between the two elements.
PDP-1 Color Versions
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I received a telephone call from Ted Novis of Beckman Systems about 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 4th. He had a list of 4 items that we were late on, or were about to be late on, and he wanted to know the status of these, I promised him that we would send him a wire first thing Friday morming telling him the status of these things.
3.
We promised to send them a color rendering of the special painted PDP last Friday and the color rendering of the standard computer on January 3rd. He would like to know when he will receive these.
Price of Retrofit Jump Field and Hi Speed Channel Connections for ADX Series
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The following selling price has been quoted to I.T.T. for a 4th Hi Speed Channel Connection.
1.
Price of 4th Hi Speed Channel Connection
a.
Production Prices
1-1105, 1-4603, and 3-4127. Price
$
489
Installation
50
Total
$
539
b.
Prototype Design Modification
Engineer
$
200
Technician and Drafting
800
Total
$
1,000
Selling Price: $2,500
2.
The following selling prices have been quoted to I.T.T. for modification of Memory Field Control Type 14 to Memory Field Control Type 15.
a.
Installation time
Two days are required to install this feature if the computer is available 24 hours a day; optionally, it can be installed in five, 8-hour days.
The basic price of $10,000 for the Memory Field Control remains unchanged.
For machines to be retrofitted at DEC in Maynard, an additional $2,800 will be charged (for example, ADX-O). For machines to be retrofitted at Paramus (for example, ADX-1), an additional $3,100 will be charged.
50 cps Input Power Option for I.T.T.
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An option has been offered to I.T.T. which will allow the operation of our standard PDP-1 machine on 50 cycle input power. It is assumed that the source of power will be 50 cycles at 117 volts using a two or three wire system. In applications where only 220 volts is available, it is recommended that a 220 to 110 volt stepdown transformer be provided. It is not our intention to provide this to our customers; however, it should be recommended that electrostatic shielding be used on the stepdown transformer.
A price breakdown has been made on a sub unit basis and is presented in what follows.
1.
Central Processor
a.
729 Power Supply Modification 12 units at $75 each
$
900
b.
735 Power Supply Modification 1 unit at $150 each
150
c.
Reader 1 unit at $375 each
375
d.
Punch 1 unit at $63 each
63
e.
Typewriter No change in price
---
f.
Drafting Technician, One man for two weeks
800
Total
$
2,288
Selling Price: $3,500
2.
Tape Unit
Power Supply Modification
$
75
Parts obtained from Potter Instruments
750
Installation
300
Total
$
1,125
Selling Price: $1,000
3.
Tape Control 52
Power Supplies
$
300
Installation
200
Total
$
500
Selling Price: $500
4.
Line Units (Group of 8)
Cost
$
75
Selling Price: $100
5.
Memory Tape 12
Power Supplies Total
$
150
Selling Price: $200
Modifications of ADX-0
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Full Name:- Kenneth H. Olsen Birthplace:- Connecticut Nationality:- U.S.A. Date of Birth:- Feb. 20, 1926
Names of ReferencesF- Professor Jay Forrester, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts SM- Norman Taylor, Itek Corporation, Lexington, Massachusetts SM- Robert Fverett, Mitre Corporation Bedford, Massachusetts SM- William Papian, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts F- Gordon Brown, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
EducationSecondary School:- Strathford High School 1940-44 >Other Schools:- USN Radio Technician 1944-45 College or University:- Massachussetts Instit. of Technology 1947 to 1952 Degrees Received:- BS and MS 1950, 1952
Professional Experience1950-57:- Did engineering work at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, where I did some of the early development work on the coincident current magnetic core memory, took part in the development of the SAGE System and the TX-0 and TX-2 Computers. 1957 - Present:- I was co-founder of Digital Equipment Corporation and it's chief executive officer. This company now employs about 325 people, and in the year which will end June 30, 1962, will ship $6,000,000 to $7,000,000 worth of product with a high technical content.
List other membership:- Sigma Xi Eta Kappa Nu
Publications
1. MIT Master's Thesis, 1952: "The Magnetic Matrix Switch and It's Incorporation into a Coincident Current Memory" - Described the first useful size coincident current memory and received rather wide distribution.
2. A paper titled: "A Magnetic Matrix Switch and It's Incorporation into the Coincident Current Memory" was presented in March, 1962, at the IRE National Convention.
3. A paper titled: "TX-0 -A Transistor Computer with a 256 x 256 Memory" was coauthored with Jack Mitchell for the Eastern Joint Computer Conference in December, 1956.
4. February, 1957: A paper was presented to the Western Joint Computer Conference titled, "Transistor Circuitry in the Lincoln TX-2."
Patents:- #2,937,285, issued May 17, 1960; #2,977,485, issued May 28, 1961
1952-53:- Supervised the design and construction of the MTC Computer at MIT, which was the first computer to use a coincident current magnetic core memory.
1956:- Supervised the design and construction of the TX-0 Computer, which was the first high-speed transistor computer to be put in regular use.
1956-57:- Supervised the start of the TX-2 Computer, which was one of the first very large transistor computers.
1956-1957:- Lecturer in Electronic Engineering Department at MIT to help integrate the digital knowledge of the Lincoln Laboratory with the academic part of MIT.
1957-58:- Supervised the enaineering and desian of the products which formed the basis of Digital Equipment Corporation.
Disposition of surplus PDP equipment
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There are several pieces of equipment which we have taken off old computers which we should make a formal decision as to thelr value so that we can get rid of them, else protect them, if we want to save them.
The 1,000 word memory has been kicking cround on the floor in the storage area and I suggest that we throw it away or we package it up in a wooden box that was made for it and file it away for future use.
The desk type console which was completed, but never delivered with a computer, should be given to Quality Control for a test bench or else wrapped, protected and sent into storage with due labels. If there is a possibility of our selling a computer with the old console, we should save this because it is complete and because the island is complete.
The original PDP console with a brown hood has sentimental value, but I suggest that we take the top off and give the table to Quality Control as a test stand. There is a complete scope with ampliflers inside and there might be a possibility of using it for an oscilloscope.
ITT
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Bob Hughes telephoned this morning regarding our meeting in New York on Tuesday. One item that he would like to have some preliminary discussion on is the quantity of units to be included in the next purchase order. They anticipate placing this order in about two months from now and would like to have us consider quantities as high as 48 machines for the next 18-month period. I said I would discuss this with you before going to New York on Tuesday morning.
My first thoughts are the number is too large to fit into the existing purchase order format where they can cancel virtually all of the computers at no penalty. As a minimum, some part of that quantity would probably have to be firm. Otherwise we would have to expand anticipating the full quantity, and yet they might cancel almost all of them.
Another consideration is that such a large order would make us more dependent on ITT than ever before. If our normal computer business is going to expand a similar amount during the time period, perhaps it is not too bad from a balance standpoint. Of course, if our normal business expanded that much and ITT expanded that much, the volume would be overwhelming.
Later today or Monday I would like to talk to you more about this, so we have some sort of a party line ready for the meeting on Tuesday.
Removal of DEC Labels From ITT PDP-1 ADX Systems
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This is in answer to your inquiry as to what we had originally promised ITT with respect to eliminating DEC labels on our plug-in units.
We agreed that we would allow them to eliminate all mention of DEC on the outside of the computers, but, we always told them that it would be completely impractical to have the name taken off the building blocks. We never agreed that we would do this.
After they received their first machine they found that it was possible to remove the label and they took them off themselves. They then asked us to take them off the next machine and, somebody, I don't know who, agreed that we would. I think this took us several man days of technician which we should have charged them for and I think maybe we should consider charging them if we continue to do this. They could do this just as well as we can.
As far as sending them spares with the labels off and in blank boxes, this would mean taking them out of our stockroom, removing the labels and repackaging them before ship them to ITT. They could do this just as well as we can and we are not now in the position to do this because of our shortage of manpower. We also cannot guarantee that the labels will come off nicely. It was their discovery that they could be taken off off at all and I think it should be their responsibility.
We offered to allow them to reproduce our drawings and our printing. We did this so as to allow them to do servicing. We did not say that we would allow them to take credit for the design of the units. I believe we should check immediately with our patent lawyers so that our stand is safe. We cannot allow ourselves to lose our copyrights because of the way they copy our circuits. We also cannot give up our proprietary rights to these things.
ADX Delivery Date
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A review of the ADX-0 rework schedule indicates that we are presently about four work days behind. This would mean delivery of the computer on February 20th if we assume Saturday work is continued.
The slippage can be accounted for by the following facts:
Late delivery of console. (2 days)
Late delivery of modules (at least 5 days) due to DX priority of other jobs.
Electrical Modifications more involved than anticipated. (5 days)
In addition, ITT would like some additional modifications made on their Line Units, which will take a few days more. It appears, therefore, that the overall delivery date of ADX-0 will be approximately February 23 or eight days late.
Request for price quotation from Dr, Phillip Hamilton of Itek Laboratories for a Flying Spot Scanner System
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Dr. Philip Hamilton of Itek Laboratories called last week and requested a price quotation on two scanners to be delivered in September 1962. The specifications are as follows:
The system does not include the CRTs or the tube mountings nor does it include any tables or cabinets. Each unit must drive two deflection yokes and two focus coils. They were considering buying the yokes and focus coils, but if we wish to quote on these as part of the package, this is agreeable.
The device is to be a flying spot scanner which scans one line in 30 milliseconds with a raster height of 3000 lines. I told him we could expect retrace in this system might take 50 microseconds and this was agreeable to then. I still cannot get any further specifications from them as far as accuracy, stability, and so forth, other than the unit will operate in normal room temperature and that reasonable type accuracies and stabilities consistent with the type of presentations are expected. They are more interested in short term stability than long term stability as they will be scanning one picture in approximately 90 secends and would not want things upset in the middie of a picture. If things change over a longer time than this they are not perticularly concemed.
The quote for these two units must be in by February 15, Do wish to make a quote?
Meeting at ITT on January 30, 1962
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The meeting was held at 320 Park Avenue, N.Y.C., ITT World Headquarters, and was attended by H. Anderson and N. Mazzarese of DEC and R. Hughes and R. Lane of ITT.
Agenda:
1.
Circuit Schematics (Unresolved)
2.
Marking of Packages (Unresolved)
3.
Schedule Confirmation and Documentation (Firm configuration and new schedule will be mailed to us by ITT. We have preliminary information on these items.)
4.
Renegotiation (They are still looking into this.)
5.
Spares (We have provided them with spare parts ordering information for modules. We have yet to furnish them with a list of spare mechanical parts.)
6
ITT was Undercharged by $5000 on ADX-0 Purchase Order (They will rectify this.
7.
Maintenance Training will begin on February 5, 1962 at ITT.
8.
Unfinished Business
a.
Reprice Sequence Break
b.
Reprice Line Unit Duplex Switch
9.
Discussion of purchase order for 48 computers
This last item should be discussed in a little more detail. The discussion on this subject began with our laying out the possible pitfalls for both DEC and ITT in a large order of this size; Specifically, we pointed out the problem that we could have if they were to cancel our orders. We also indicated that an order for 48 computers in a given year starting immediately would perhaps be too great a burden on our production capabilities.
Bob Hughes agreed that any order for as many as 48 computers should be handled differently than their initial order for 12. He mentioned the following specific possibilities:
They would definitely build all their own line units from ADX-5 on.
They would, in all probability, build their own tape and tape control units.
They would consider building their own extra core storage.
They would be willing to commit themselves to a large portion of this order without a cancellation agreement as we have in our present contract.
The orders could be spaced on a gradually increasing basis, building up to a rate of four a month - maximum.
It is interesting to note on this subject that the people at ITT have a marketing staff of about 30 people just selling ADX Systems. It seems by the law of averages, that they should be getting many orders soon.
So far as our delivery technique on this large order goes, we mentioned that we would take the approach taken by IBM in quoting delivery dates; that is, we would only give delivery upon receipt of order. We would not commit ourselves to a large, long range delivery schedule projected into the future until we had received a firm order.
Bob Hughes mentioned several times that they were dead serious about this large quantity order. They were not kidding!
They need the following information from us, however, to adequately plan for the advent of an order of this nature:
A specific quotation on what our production capability is.
What is the largest order that we would accept?
What is the largest delivery rate we could sustain?
What additional conditions might we want to attach to an order of this size?
Actual Cost - Universal for Controller
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I have made a detailed analysis of the manufacturing cost of the computer and options (Universal Controller) sold to the Air Force Command at Bedford. The purpose of the analysis was two-fold; first, to arrive at an accurate actual cost, and second, to see if all materials were properly charged to the job or if materials used were incorrectly charged to this job. This of course, would affect the accuracy of the cost.
Two EN numbers were assigned to this project. EN 2053 consisted of the computer, an A-D converter and a stimulus synchronizer. EN 2094 covered the CRT model 30A display. A summary of the total cost of these two jobs is as follows:
EN 2053 (Computer, A-D Converter, Stimulus Syn.):
Total
% of Total Cost
Direct Labor:
Engineers -
(190 hours)5
$ 761.82
Technicians -
(1545 hours)
3,942.16
$
4.703.98
8.7
Overhead:
2,906.41
5.4
Direct Materials:
12,483.26
23.0
Manufactures Parts:
10,233.96
18.8
Finished Goods:
23,928.63
40.0
Outside Contractors:
35.00
0.1
Totals:
$
54,291.24
100.0%
It is our opinion that the maximum estimated cost of the stimulus synchronizer and A-D converter is $2000. and the balance of $52,300. represents the actual cost of the computer.
EN 2094 (CRT - Model 30A):
Total
% of Total Cost
Direct Labor:
Engineers -
$ 761.82
Technicians -
924.99
$
1,636.32
25.0
Overhead:
917.15
14.1
Direct Materials:
2,475.50
37.9
Manufactures Parts:
731.57
11.2
Finished Goods:
672.53
10.3
Outside Contractors:
94.50
1.5
Totals:
$
6,517.57
100.0%
In addition to the cost of theses EN jobs, there was labor, materials and overhead totalling $941.72, charged to field service.
Attached is a summary of materials used and a description of labor performed on EN 2053.
A proper analysis of the direct labor presented a problem due to the lack of a job description or operation being reported on all the daily job tickets. I made no attempt to analyze the engineering cost as the job tickets did not show the necessary information. The attached analysis of the technicians labor represents 84 % of the total engineering and technician labor cost.
(See attachments)
EN 2053: MATERIALS
DIRECT:
Total
% of Total Cost
Transistors
$
293.48
Memory Stack
6,210.00
Reader
Teletype Punch
Computer Writer
Swivel Chairs (2)
Misc. Parts
552.51
$12,483.26
26.8%
MANUFACTURED PARTS:
Cabinets
$
606.32
Plates & Filler Strips
278.06
Wiring & Misc. Jobs
9,349.58
$10,233.96
21.9%
FINISHED GOODS:
Mounting Panels
$
651.51
Power Supplies
1,390.67
Tape Pin-Patch Cords
14.80
Modules
21,871.65
$23,928.63
51.3%
TOTAL MATERIAL COST:
$46,645.85
100%
EN 2053: TECHNICIANS LABOR
Hours
Dollars
%
Wiring & Lacing
244.50
$
547.62
13.9
Checkout
726.25
2,089.46
53.0
Cable
46.00
94.66
2.4
Paperwork
86.00
250.58
6.4
Misc. & Unclassified
442.50
959.84
24.3
Totals -
1,545.25
$
3,942.16
100.0%
Sequence Break Priorities for ADX Systems
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These people are responsible for the projects listed. If there are any changes in configuration or delivery date they should be notified as soon as possible.
Equipment
Priority
Subsequence
Device Completion
TTT Address
Mag Tape (CA=CF)
0
4
2
4
Mag Tape (End of Record)
0
5
3
5
DAD
0
7
6
7
Paper Tape Reader
1
0
0
20
Real Time Clock
1
1
4
21
Paper Tape Punch
2
0
1
40
*ILU Group
Group 0
5
0→7
120→127
Group 1
5
10→17
130→137
Group 2
6
0→7
140→147
Typewriter
10
0
5
200
*OLU
Group 0
11
0→7
220→227
Group 1
11
10→17
230→237
Group 2
12
0→7
240→247
* Priority group 5 subsequences should be prevented from interrupting priority group 6 subsequences. Priority group 11 subsequences should be prevented from interrupting priority group 12 subsequences.
Project Assignments
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These people are responsible for the projects listed. If there are any changes in configuration or delivery date they should be notified as soon as possible.
Computer:
ADX-0
Jack Brown
Beckman-1
Ed Harwood
CRC-1
Steve Lambert
SRL
Bob Savell
CRC-2
Steve Lambert
LRL
Bob Savell
Beckman-2
Ed Harwood
ADX-4
Ed Harwood
ADX-5
Steve Lambert
ADX-2
Steve Lambert
ADX-3
Steve Lambert
DEC
Bob Savell
ADX-6
Steve Lambert
Multiply for MIT Machine/MIT Machine Use
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Jack Dennis has asked us to check on the veracity of an old rumor that DEC plans to "loan" MIT a high speed multiply-divide option.
Professor Caldwell of the Nuclear Group is starting to use the MIT machine prior to the ordering of his machine. I've gotten some calls from him since I knew him at the TX-0, and refered him to BBN for some programming. Our Sales Department should contact him to help him process his order for a PDP-1.
MIT Liason
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MIT Is proceeding with some fairly major plans for time shoring and these include:
1.
A drum connected with TX-0/PDP-1.
2.
Multiple consoles on each machine.
3.
A sequence break system which is significantly different than Type 20. A break cycle 0 would be added which gets the sequence break address from one of 16 registers, and then dismisses almost indirectly through these 16 registers.
4.
A disc file system.
I think a policy should be formulated to benefit DEC-MIT, similar te Ferranti - University of Manchester.
None of the above items, as they exactly stand, would serve as prototypes for DEC products. The ideas are fairly sound, but vast, and with help in the idea filtering, detailed engineering design, drafting, and fabrication, they might succeed, provided their programming staff will stick with the job to get the executive routine written. I have suggested they work with a prototype model shop type.
The arrangement:
MIT would design hardware.
MIT would consult with DEC on design.
DEC would draft, (both Block Schematics and wire listings) and fabricate the designs.
DEC would make internal PDP-1 modifications.
MIT would test the design. DEC might pretest some designs (in case of consoles).
Eventual problem areas include:
Modifications to central processor for larger system. Handling of their specific documents.
Plans may make a number of programs incompatible with present PDP-1's (for example they want a command to save all program flags, special lots, sbs, etc.).
Projects are open ended in nature.
Great discontinuities of project manager at MIT.
MIT toke over of DEC through job shop nature.
The pricing would have to be almost cpff(Cost Plus Fixed Fee) due te open end projects.
(We have already quoted $500 price te prepare wiring diagram, and wire their designs from Block Schematics.
DRUM SYSTEM STATUS
A present problem is the MIT drum system. They want their integrated system for 2 machine control, priority, independent timing, etc. The delivery date is in May, and since their change of design has been relatively late in coming, delivery may be a problem. The read-write and selection portions of the drum are being constructed. I have the first available engineer assisting in the drum projects. MIT's project manager will come to DEC twice each week and talk to drafting room in regard to the MIT design, and get engineering consultation. There is about 2 man weeks of drafting, and 4 mounting panels. MIT would make modifications to PDP-1 from plans drawn by DEC. MIT would do the system testing, and pay DEC when the system is delivered to MIT. The price would be the present drum system plus additional hardware. The delivery date would be a function of MIT design dates.
AC Power Distribution for PDP-4
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I believe that the power distribution we are now using on PDP-1 is an improvement over what we had before but I doubt that it is a particularly wise device. One thing you might consider is making a special panel with a number of groups of tapered tabs which is mounted adjacent to the power control panel and which is used to distribute AC power. There are so few wires radiating out from this that it probably makes the chanel on the top of the PDP-1 unnecessary for the PDP-1 and much less necessary for the PDP-4.
PDP-1 Loan for Massachusetts General Hospital
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Frank Ervin called on Thursday, March 1st to ask the status of our proposal in giving them a computer. I told him what ideas the Board of Directors had and that we hadn't really gotten to think too much about the problem yet, but, suggested that get together to if could clarify of thinking. He is all for this and would like us to get together with of their people. I told him that I would call him on Monday, March 5th to let him know if you and I can stop in to see him of the three days we will be going into town. In addition, I suggested that he have his people out here because this will take more than one session and would like to have them get to know us better.
Informational International Incorporated and PDP-1A-1 Prototype
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I have become quite concerned about our proposed plan to place our prototype PDP in Ed Fredkin's plant. Some of the potential customers that we have talked with have shown some concern of being too close to Ed because they consider him potential competition. If this is a common attitude it could be quite serious to us. I am also afraid that if Ed carries out all the services he promised, it might be too serious a drain on his own operation. Ed might also be limited in the resources to make the installation look good.
I propose that we consider putting the PDP in our present auditorium on the fourth floor of Building 4. This area is very nicely prepared with a tile floor and a well illuminated area. This is so large that we could set the computer very nicely and have area for people special experiments and room for a large classroom. This could work out very well for Ed Fredkin because we could take the lock off our present robble door in Building 4 and put it on the door in purchasing so we could give Ed Fredkin direct access to this room. We could run a partition along the far wall so that the Machine Shop would have access to their wash room. We could then allow Ed Fredkin, or our customers, to come in freely on their own and use this facility. If necessary, we might make a small co-educational wash room in the present storage room.
PDP-1 and Computer Aided Drafting
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We visited Itek Corp. last week who have a drafting machine which uses our computer. I was interested in one comment they made and that is that it is perfectly satisfactory to keep drawings on a continuous spool because people are quite satisfied to have a completely new photograph made whenever there is a modification and they are very happy to have the old drawing still on record. We might consider some day keeping all our drawings on continuous film instead of the cards which we now have.
Light Pen Issues
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We have had a number of criticisms of our light pen because it does not have a switch on it. I think it would be worthwhile to keep this problem in mind so that if we can ever come up with a solution, we can install it.
People have also complained about its sensitivity to noise and we might consider the problem of filtering also.
The PDP-J for Massachusets General Hospital, Dr. Ervin
I have just talked with Dr. Ervin at MGH about our computer gift. I have previously talked with Steve Larch at MGH and he gave the PDP-4 specifications to Ervin. Ervin's initial comments were:
2. For a number of possible applications, people wanted to do statistical analysis, crystalography processing, fourier analysis and general tabulating. The nearly common language for these people in Fortran. The methods they currently use for the solution of the problems is to get 7090 time. They feel that a computer such as PDP-1 could almost fill the need the 7090 is currently serving, provided a Fortran or "as advertized DECAL" was available,
We talked about the NIH and he said that their philosophy was:
2. A large number of very small machines would be scattered in individual laboratories.
He felt that the machine that is currently serving this function is the CDC-160. There are presently about 6 160's in fairly key spots throughout the country including Airborne Instruments Laboratory, (for NIH) and the Albert Einstein Institute in New York. In both cases, DEC tried to persuade them to use a PDP11 and I believe we probably didn't sell hard enough or the price was against us. Of course, they might be better off with a PDP-1 provided the programs were available.
He feels that PDP-4 must have IO equipment such as PDP-1. He also feels that the PDP-1 could serve the need for the larger backup machine of the larger laboratories. Here speed is more important (fast multiply especially).
Ervin is going to be writing a letter very shortly retelling his thoughts about PDP-1/PDP-4 which may verify the above.
Let's get some programming policies for PDP-1, and let's change the programming policies for PDP-4.
PDP-1C-2 (ADX) Paris Installation
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Last week during the IRE show when we visited ITT, we offered to send one of our key people to Paris to make sure the machine was set up right and in good operation condition. This person probably should be you. We don't want to have you spend too much time getting involved with the uncrating and some of the problems which you can't help any more than anyone else can. We probably should wait until they have the machine operating before you go, but, you should get there soon enough that you can be of some help.
PDP-1 Layout
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Here is a list of dimensions of the PDP-1 equipment that we have on the first floor. The last column is the dimensions scaled down to 1/4" = 1 ft.
Name
Dimension
Dimension
PDP-1 (4 days &' console)
97 x 27
2 x .56
Anelex Printer
67 x 31
1.4 x .645
Typewriter Table
34 x 30
71 x .625
Display
49 x 44
1 x .92
Burroughs Card Reader
30 x 18
.65 x 3.75
523 Punch
42 x 25
.875 x .52
Standard DEC Cabinet
23 x 27
.5 x .56
3 Tape Handlers &' Control
92 x 27
1.9 x 5.6
We now have masking tape which is .5 and .625" in width. With this you can make up models very easily. Dave Shuflat has a box of the .625" tape and the stockroom has .5" tape.
Adams Associates Thinking of Going into Systems Business
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I had a call from Jack Gilmore on Thursday, April 26th. Adams Associates has been approached by Friden Corporation to see if they wouldn't be a vehicle for renting Flexowriter typewriters. They knew that we were approached and turned down the project, but Adams Associates were thinking of going into the systems business and thought that this would be a good start. They are thinking about having the typewriters painted their own color and put Adems name on it.
The monkey farm would like te rent the PDP computer and so Charles Adams is thinking of purchasing it and renting it to them. I don't know how Adams plans to make money with thelr systems division, but I do think they know arithmetic and they probably know what they are doing. It can't help but do good for us.
PDP-1 Loan for Massachusetts General Hospital
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Dr. Ervin from Mass General Hospital called late on Thursday. He is still very interested in this computer and is more or less holding back CDC on the assumption that we will come across. However, he relizes that he is the gift receiver and, therefore, not in a position to pressure us and so he only hints of the need to come to some conclusion.
While we have been doddling on the medical computer question, CDC has sold a computer to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and UCLA. If Mass General gets a CDC computer, I think they'll have the medical field pretty well sewed up.
MGH has some young programmers who are full of ideas as to how to convert programs from computer to another. Dr. Ervin asked if could have one or two of our people listen to their ideas to see whether they are worth pursuing. I asked him to have the men call me next week and I will arrange a date with Gordon Beil end Dit Morse. Dr. Ervin is going to be in California for two weeks and so one of the programmers will make the arrangements. The man's name is Bill Lennon.
I feel that we should consider the possibility of hiring James Nortman to head our medical work. This man seems to have the qualifications and interests which would be ideal for this type job.
Charlton Walter and three others from AFCRL visited the plant late yesterday, May 8th, to see the progress being made on the two CRC machines. He seemed to be pleased with everything that he saw with exception of the Color Display. He was disturbed over the fact that the Color Display takes 250 micro seconds to display a point. Another thing that bothered him was the convergence of the red, green, and blue. The third problem was that the red did not look like a pure red.
We had working for him today: the precision display operated by the tester; info exchange between the two CRC computers; Mag. Tape 52 on one computer; Mag. Tape 51 on the other computer; F-M A-D transfer; and Color Display operated by the display tester.
I mentioned to Charlton the possibility of generating a new display which would have built into it a character generator, operational amplifiers that would generate curves, circles, lines, etc. In addition it would operate through the use of a high speed channel where two word transfers would be requested. These words would contain the necessary info for generating display commands.
Eunice Cronin mentioned that AFCRL may order another Tape Control 52 and that they have also decided to purchase a standard black and white display.
While talking with Charlton, he hinted that AFCRL may order another PDP-1 in the near future.
Gordon Bell has suggested that we use a PDP-4 as our internal accounting computer. This does have several interesting advantages. It cost less and it might be the machine which we someday will suggest for this type application.
Using a PDP-4 for this application sdeems to be a good idea, but no one is clear just as to what this machine will be used for and what relationship will be to the prototype PDP-1. Before making a final commitment, I would like to hear from Gordon as to how he thinks the machine should be used and I would also like to hear the same from Bob Beckman on the prototype machine. I think that each should assume a reasonable amount of equipment. I would suggest the following list of equipment for each of the machines.
Prototype PDP-1
One type 51 tape control.
One type 58 handler.
One Burroughs card reader.
One 16" oscilloscope.
Maybe, one color display.
PDP-4
One tape control.
One type 50 tape handler.
One 523 card reader.
One anelex line printer.
One 16" display oscilloscope.
One 523 card punch.
In addition there should be two type 50 tape handlers which can be used on the machine which needs them the most. I think that should give the PDP-1 first pass at the Burroughs card reader because they are almost ready to use it. But, if they don't appear to have a good proposal or not ready to use it right away, we may give it to the PDP-4.
We should include in the proposal time for modemizing the order code of the PDP-1 prototype. We should probably immediately order the list of In-Out equipment which we want. It would be good to get as much of it delivered before July 1st, so that we can take this years depreciation on it.
PDP-4 for Internal Accounting and PDP-1A-1 Prototype
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Using a PDP-4 for this application seems to be a good idea, but no one is clear just as to what this machine will be used for and what its relationship will be to the prototype PDP-1. Before making a final commitment, I would like to hear from Gordon as to how he thinks the machine should be used and I would also like to hear the same from Bob Beckman on the prototype machine. I think that each should assume a reasonable amount of equipment.
Prototype PDP-1
One type 51 tape control.
One type 50 handler.
One Burroughts card reader
One 16" oscilloscope.
Maybe, one color display.
PDP-4
One tape control.
One type 50 tape handler.
One 523 card reader
zone anelex line printer.
One 16" display oscilloscope.
One 523 card punch.
In addition there should be two more type 50 tape handlers which can be used on the machine which needs them the most. I think that we should give the PDP-1 first pass at the Burroughs card reader because they are almost ready to use it. But, if they don't appear to have a good proposal or are not ready to use it right away, we may give it to the PDP-4.
We should include in the proposal time for modernizing the order code of the PDP-1 prototype. We shouid probably lmmediately order the list of In-Out equipment which we want. It would be good to get as much of it delivered before July 1st, so that we can take this years depreciation on it.
Yesterday, I talked with Bill Lennon and Steve Large of MGH. Lennon will be out to visit us on Monday, June 4 regarding their programming. MGH Is considering our computer. They plan on being able to use Fortran on the computer. What Lennon has done so far is to write a Fortran at MIT, in COMET language. His Fortran so far has compiled a few Fortran statements for PDP-1. The program of course isn't completely debugged but he feels confident that this will not take very much time to finish. The thing remaining before there is a Fortran to PDP-1 compiler which works on the IBM 7090 is machine language subroutines for PDP-1, which suppossedly won't be a great time consuming project.
When Bill Lennon visits us he is going to make a proposal for writing some compilers. Some of the possibilities are a list handler using the existing COMET for PDP-1 or compilers in list language for running on PDP-1 or in the list language we would write a second list language for the PDP-1 so that the compiler could be written on PDP-1, I think what he proposes must be carried out by September. I think we should meet with them and listen to his ideas to see how well they can be carried out. He has a co-worker who is also quite capable. What they have shown so far seems to indicate that they might be able to carry out what they propose.
On Tuesday, May 15th, Dr. Harries of Electronic Associates telephoned me to get more information about the job at Minneapolis-Honeywell in Minneapolis. Dr. Harries telephone number is CA 9-1100, extension 309 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He had learned of this situation from Tom Truitt who is at their Princeton laboratory. They plan to make a proposal to Minneapolis-Honeywell to take on system responsibility. They would either buy the PDP-1 from us, or they would arrange for Minneapolis-Honeywell to buy it and have it delivered to E. A.
Dr. Horries visited us on Thursday, May 17th to find out more about the interface between the PDP-1 and their equipment. E. A. is particularly interested in this because this would allow them to get experience on a hybrid digital-analog system which Tom Truitt Is very interested in.
High Voltage Warning for Type 30 Displays
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When we were at the Bedford Air Show and after we had an electrical accident, we lifted the cover off one of our 16" scopes and I was quite suprised to see that there was no marker saying that there was high voltage inside. Will you immediately obtain markers which we can put inside and which very clearly identify the high voltage. One thing we might do would be to order stick-on labels from No-Lick Products Company which we could put several places within the hood. It might be better to have a lerge number of smaller labels put many places rather than get one large one. The label might say DANGER 20,000 VOLTS or DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE. These then could be used in all the scopes that we sell.
You should be careful to show respect for units which are now obsolete but still have potential value. The round 50 pin Amphenol connector which we originally used on the ADX systems is a good example. After we stopped using them they were treated like junk but they are expensive items and we may use them someday and they should be kept neatly and given due respect.
It was formally decided on June 13th to discontinue all work on DECAL. As far as we can tell, DECAL makes a poor assembler and does not operate as a compiler. Everyone agrees that we can spend money indefinitely on improving DECAL, but no one dares express an opinion as to when it will be useful and no one even knows who would use it if it were done.
It has further been decided that we will, with all haste, do a bang-up job of publishing a complete description of MACRO. We will then ignore all other assemblers and compilers other than MACRO and all our programs, including all those which we distribute, will be in MACRO.
It has also been decided that we will no longer distribute copies of DECUS programs to DECUS members. We will limit our distribution of programs to a copy of MACRO and those maintenance programs which are useful. We should check all tapes before sending them out to make sure that they are nothing that will embarrass us. We should also set up the procedure so that we formally decide what we are going to send out and things are not sent out by any individual in the company who feels in the mood to do so.
M.I.T. PDP-1 Computer Maintenance
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Andy and I visited M.I.T. PDP computer last week and made note of a number of things that should be fixed up.
Almost a year ago we decided to replace the upper indicator panel with one that didn't have the openings for the sequence break lamps. We still have not done this, and it looks ugly for the machine which is considered our showpiece.
The white panels in the front are exceedingly dirty. I think the paint job was defective and it is very porous. We should try to scrub this ourselves, and if it is not cleanable, we should replace the panels because they definitely detract.
The tape folder on the punch doesn't work at all.
They have a brown typewriter which looks out of place with the Blue computer.
The covers on the chai seats have worn out.
The paint has been rubbed off the scope console legs, and it looks almost as bad as the 7090. In looking through the log, I get the impression that they have difficulty in making contact with people at DEC to get service on the machine. Because their machine is a gift, they may not be pushy enough to get good service.
Paint Chipping Off Legs
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Andy and I visited M.I.T. last week to look over the PDP computer. It was rather disappointing to look at the scope console because the paint had been scuffed off the legs.
I think we should consider two possibilities to cure this problem. I think that if we had a better preparation before painting that we would suffer less from paint chipping off. We have already observed, I believe, that paint sticks a lot better to our aluminum than to our steel, because we prepare our aluminum better.
I would like to see us get prices on brush chrome plating the frames for our tables and scope consoles. I'm sure that this will add to the cost, but the legs on that scope console look poor.
Infotronics Corporation
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We have to make the BBN machine work. I told Beckman to replace the punches and typewriters and do anything he needs to do to to make it work. In addition, I would like to have you do whatever is necessary to make the think work right. This might mean that you spend two weeks full time there and not come to the office at all. I don't care what you do but that machine has to work right.
The big mistake we made was in allowing them to talk us into adding so many options. I assume that you were the one that agreed to make the options and so I want you to make the machine work.
I would be willing to take the drum back and write it off as an experiment if that is the cause of the trouble down there. We can't agree to keep adding on options even though they are in the catalog.
From now on we have to give a special price on all options to be added in the field. There cannot be any fixed rule of thumb for installation cost. In some machines like the real old ones this installation cost might be so high as to in effect be saying we don't think it is wise to do this.
The second project which I would like to have you initiate is a re-thinking of the computer business. I don't have the data assembled so I can't tell, but I suspect that this business is not as profitable as it first appears. We have averaged $750.00 per month in maintenance, not counting installation, at BBN. If you multiply this by 3 for mark up, this approximates the rent which we get from them. This is a special case, but the figures are shocking enough that we should re-think our cost and maintenance plans.
I think that you and Bob Beckman should come up with an estimate as to what it is going to cost to maintain machines so that we can figure what the financial structure of the computer business really is.
The third thing which I would like to have you initiate is a computer project schedule. Right now we seem to be backing into a number of conmitments for new devices such as several new displays and an IBM tape and maybe a low speed inexpensive tape unit. I would like first to see on this list of projects a list of things we started and are now undone such as the problems at BBN, the specification and maintenance manuals for the scopes and the tapes and a whole list of things which we are too busy do, but which we never will get done if we don't schedule. Above all I don't want to be embarrassed into taking on more projects just because we led a customer into believing it would be available when we haven't finished up or done a good job on those which we have almost finished.
I am mailing an offer to Winston Hindle from MIT to help in keeping track of projects. If he works out well on this it will be a big help to all of us.
BB&N, DECAL issues, Reliability of their PDP-1
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On Thursday morning, we were visited by all the top people from Bolt, Beranek and Newman. They came here to impress on us the poor operating efflclency of thelr PDP-1. While they were talking, we impressed upon them the problems we have in working with them, the difficulties we have in working out arrangements with them, the fact that they exaggerate their cases, and that we think they are too shrewd and hard-driving.
After we exchanged hard words for a while, everybody was apologetic and cooperative, and we concluded that the only thing we can do is to make that machine work well. I promised them that Ben Gurley would show up on Monday to review the situation and to work out a plan by which we will get that thing in good shape in the immediate future. Two other interesting points came up from the meeting. We told them that we gave them $34,000 to put DECAL down on paper in useful forms and as far as we can tell, we got nothing useful out of it. Licklider argues with this, and is in the mood to prove to us that DECAL is useful, and that we might be able to get him to do the writing at not too great a cost. I told him that we would be very happy to talk over the situation with him. It might be a good idea if Ben Gurley talked about this when he was down to BBN next week
The other interesting point was about a new project they were working on. Jordan Baruch has about 1/3 of a million dollars to experiment with data collection for hospitals. He plans to hook wire lines between typewriters in wards at Mass. General Hospital to the PDP-1 computer in Cambridge. Into this will feed all patient data including prescriptions and dosages and the like. This first piece of money is just to demonstrate it for the first year, and if it works out, the project will grow. Even though this is experimental in nature, it is important that it heve almost 100% reliability. I told Leo Beranek that they just can't run experiments in a laboratory on a computer and then have it available for 100% reliability this hospital type use. He had apparently never considered this, and wanted us to work on the machine so that they could have their laboratory experiments and the hospital work all going simultaneously. I suggested that they seriously consider a PDP-4 computer, because it is less expensive than a PDP-1, and they might be able to buy one for this hospital experiment alone. Because it already has teletype inputs, this might be a lot easier to use. In a final situation, they would like about 10 teletype inputs.
This hospital unit would also need a magnetic tape unit because of the large amount of information to be stored. Because there is no reason for it to be compatible with IBM, and because many of the characteristics are not as critical as they are in business usage, a link type tape unit or one of the other inexpensive units that we have looked at might be just the thing. We should probably decide which of these tape units is best and go after it with all enthusiaem.
When they came down to visit, they had in mind getting a new PDP-1 computer. I suggested that this would not be the answer to their problem, because under no circumstances can we give them one immediately, and they have to get their unit working immediately. However, they are going to generate a list of terminal equipment which they would want on a new machine if they got one, and we will then give them a price on this with a trade-in for the old one. If we did this some time ago, we might have saved a lot in installation costs. There might still be a signifleent amount of saving in maintenance and installation costs, and it might be worth our while to be quite generous on this. We tend emotionally to be against giving them anything, because they don't seem to appreciate anything we do for them. However, I think this might no longer be the case, and it might be very worth while for us to be generous on this point. One of the first things should do is find out what our real manufacturing cost is, and whether there is anything salvageble or not in the old machine if we got it back. We asked them to generate a list of the terminal equipment, beceuse telling us simply they wanted exactly what they have now is not really efficient. A few of the things like two typewriters and two punches might be very difficult and expensive, and there might be considerable saving in leaving them out.
Computer Offer
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I received a call from Dr. Frank Ervin on Wednesday to tatk about our offer for a computer. He felt this was a very generous offer. They have the feeling that they can be much more successful in asking for money from the government than they have before, and so they are even more enthusiastic about the program than before. However, they are confused by which computer would be best for them.
Dr. Ervin would like to do experimental work where he ties the computer directly to the experiment. However, as Chairman Committee of the Computer Committee he is perhaps going overboard in trying to be objective making the decision. Many of the other people would like to do statistical work which they are now doing on the 7090. Because of this work, he feels they probably should have a more capable computer than the PDP-4. I suggested to him that he probably needs more than one computer, and that if he is doing experiments directly on the computer, it might not be satisfactory for the people who want to do statistical work. The reliability of a computer being tied to experiments isn't up to what normal users expect. He likes to hear these words because he would like nothing better than to have his own computer, which he might share with a few other laboratories. It is now up to us to convince them that what they should have is one of ours for laboratory use, and then continue to rent 7090 for those who want to process cards, or maybe they should even rent a full-time 1601.
He is still concerned about the programming helps that would be available on a PDP-4. I have told him that I have the same problem that he has in trying to evaluate what programmers say about these things. I told him that I would continue to look into it and encouraged him that when I get back from vacation, we can talk further about it. If Gordon Bell can do anything to influence these people on the usefulness of the PDP-4 and the wonderful aids that will be available, I think it would help our cause. I don't think that we are interested in competing with IBM in the processing of large amounts of statistical data.
Develop Experience with Operational Amplifiers
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We need to develop experience with operational amplifiers. I would suggest that we consider the possibility of buying a ½' dozen of the inexpensive vacuum tube operational amplifiers from George Philbrick Associates with the appropriate power supplies if we don't have them. With this we can then experiment and learn the problems with drift and also how you would make a digital analog converter and a sample and hold circuit with operational amplifiers.
At the same time, we might order one of their potted transistorized operational amplifiers. If this is as good as they claim, maybe we should not bother making our own but simply buy operational amplifiers from Philbrick.
The Embree amplifier uses nuvistor tubes input stages with two 6CW5 output tubes, the output voltage range is ± 100 volts. The price is $95.00 for a plain unit with soldered terminal connections. In addition, they have octal plug-in units just like Philbrick.
We should aiso look inte choppers that we can use in stabilized amplifiers. Embree uses a James C-2713 which they claim gives them 2 microvolts of noise.
There are several books on analog computation which describe operational amplifiers and go into many of the problems in detail circuit design. One of the simpler ones is Volume II of the computer basic course by Howard W. Sands Publishing Company. I think we have most of these in the library, but if there are any others which we do not have, we can check into it.
Design The Wonderful Operational Amplifier
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I suggest that we first of all try to develop an ideal operational amplifier. These have wonderful charactistics and can be used for so very many things. This unit should have almost infinite input impedance and I think that it should have output swing of ± 10 volts. It should have a gain of at least 0.1 million, but it would be best if it was about 30 million. It should also have optional chopper stabilizing amplifier. If we had this ideal operational amplifier it would make very simple sample and hold circuit. In the following circuit if Rl = R2 there is unit to gain. If the resistor network is disconnected from the input and there is no leakage in the switch or the input amplifier or in the capacitor, it should remember it setting forever. (There also cannot be any leakage in the input to the stablizing amplifier.)
I don't know how it will make this ideal switch, but if instead we put the switches on each end of the resistor divider, we could use a simple transistor because ths cutput of this operational amplifier is very low impedance and the input is probably another very low impedance operational amplifier so a simple inverter would be a very good switch.
The operational amplifier will also make a very nice D to A converter. If we use weighted resistors we can use a simple inverter to the input. The potentiometer in series with the weighted resistor will compensate for the variations in satuation voltage. The output of this decoder will be %plusmn; and will eliminate one of our big arguments for all signals being negative with respect to ground.
I feel that we should consider the field effect transistor or the nuvistor vacuum tube as input stages to sn operational amplifier. The nuvistor input stage would be a pair, of balanced tubes with a transistor current source in the cathode. There probably should be a balancing resister in series with the plate resistors. These can then drive the balanced transistor stage which also would have a transistor current source in its emitter. In most operational amplifiers only the first stage or two are balanced, but we might as well have balanced all the way.
The input to an operational amplifier is a litle simpler than a comparison circuit because the input never varies very far from 0 volts. The big problem however is that you want a large amount of gain without having it oscillate when feedback networks are put in place.
I received a telephone call from Ed Fredkin saying that he felt that our prototype machine and the DEC machine which will take its place have not and will not receive the same attention that computers in the field receive. We had promised him that they would receive the same attention and that he should be able to expect the same reliability. He asked to write a letter to the poeple doing the maintenance to make sure that they do give this machine the respect that they would want in a customer's own plant. I assured him that I would and that we would give the service we promised.
He also mentioned that he was considering going into the PDP servicing business because our customers are quite concerned about our lack of service. He claims that we have not marginal checked any of our computers in the field and have no plan for preventive maintenance. I assured him that we have a program set up and that we are to take complete responsibility for marginal checking and preventive maintenance. However I did not go into the details of this becaues I have very little confidence. If this is the feeling that is common within the field, we should be sure that we give enough service that people look to DEC and don't look elsewhere.
Thursday morning, August 14th Gorden Bell, Ben Gurley and myself visited the RCA branch of Foxboro. My impression of the people and of their competence were very high after this meeting. I think we can develep a very good relationship with them.
COC has a number of advantages on the charts which they heve drawn. Their costs are somewhat lower, and they have a high speed arithmetic element availale for the CDC 160, and they theoretically can expand in memory indefinitely.
We told them that we are developing a high speed arithmetic package and that this will be availabie. We offered to send them the specifications this and also offered to work out the details of this with them.
I think that if at all possible we should make the expand memory available as a standard feature and do not increase the cost for this.
Although the CDC 160 is slightly less expensive in some areas, I do not suggest that we try to meet them on price. If we do this, CDC will probably lower their price and then no one will make any money.
We do have a very significant advantege over CDC in that we are physically close and that they know that we have people who are right here who can speak for the project. I also have the feeling that we have gained their confidence.
They proposed to go into this field relatively slowly, they will order 2 or 3 computers this year for delivery early next year and after that expect ta sell between 4 to 6 computers each year. They do not expect to make money as a group until 1965, although they expect to lose less and less each year before that.
They are considering the power field and they feel that they have some equipment which puts them in a propriety position in this area. This is completely separate from the project which they bought a CDC 160 for.
We have promised to do a number of things for them. Some of the ones which I remember are as follows:
A price on the standard memory switch.
Tentative specifications on the high speed arithmetic element.
A detatied list of all programming helps which we have available and those which we promised to have available.
Tolerance to power failure.
We propose to run detailed reliability tests for them.
The list of things which we promised them is a lot longer, these just happen to be the things which I remember.
I suggest that after the WESCON show we set up the PDP 4 in our west coast office and run it 24 hours a day for 4 weeks with a test program on it to gather life data. The alternative to this is to bring the machine back here and run the life test here, but I think it can be done here just as well on the west coast. I suggest that they do not use the machine for any other use during this period.
They say that certain applications, an algebrate compiler is competitively very important. Some of the chemical companies want to run their analyses on the computer and because these optimizing programs are algerbraic they feel a compiler is very important.
They are very much interested in the tolerance of the computer to power failure. They must have standby power for their systems and so they have to know how long it will take before the machine fails efter a power failure. They will have standby power, but they need time to switch it in. 30 millesecoads is geod, 16 might do and 8 would be poor.
I told them that we are developing a high frequency moter generater to improve our tolerance to power failure and they would be very much interested in this.
I think we should look into very large silicone control rectifiers to be used on a switch turn off power so that we can run our experiments on time delays.
They have a circuit problem with our IOT pulses because they are too narrow for their circuits. I suggest that we go over this carefully with them and see if we can't work this out for them. I think Ben Gurley or Dick Best should be involved in this.
The main project which I would like to have you pursue is the one which I have been poking at for a long period of time and have been making very little headway. That's the overall planning of the company. This should start off with the planning of new products ond new projects and end up with a concise, readily understood, overall prediction for the company. We have had problems in the last year of underestimating our needs for cash. This has basically been because of poor planning in our engineering projects and result in late delivery. We are now doing things on a large enough scale that we cannot afford to be sloppy in our predictions. We have to be careful in doing this because we don't want to be so tied up in red tape that we lose the freedom and creativity which has been so successful in our engineering so far.
I am quite concemed that our computers are as unreliable in the field as they are. We can blame things on the customer, but really, these things should not fail at all. As you increase your staff I would like to have somebody look over all their failure data and see if we can't come to some conclusion as to what should be done.
Infotronics Corporation
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I am sorry that I delayed so long in reading through the write up on Infotronics Corporation. I did not bother to study through their financial statements because I feel that you don't need my comments on this.
I think this project looks very interesting. Their products look like they will have a steady market for a long time to come. I get the impression that they have an an intelligent, sound approach to it all. From the background of the people they should be technically competent. It also appears that they have been able to get the product out of the door which seems to stop so many companies.
I think that you should look carefully at this company and it does seem to have promise. I don't think that DEC should make ties with them because there is no obvious way in which we could help them or they could help us. It is often better for companies like DEC to buy things like this from a separate company because the individuals are much more motivated than they could be even working for a company like our own.
I am quite concemed that our computers are as unreliable in the field as they are. We can blame things on the customer, but really, these things should not fail at all. As you increase your staff I would like to have somebody look over all their failure data and see if we can't come to some conclusion as to what should be done.
Exhibition of PDP-1 or Mass General Hospital PDP-4
October 8th - 12th at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland there is going to be the 12th Annual Instrument Symposium and Research Equipment Exhibit. Because of our new interest in this medical work, it would be very worthwhile if we could work in an exhibit here and have one of our PDP computers. There is a possibility that we might have our Mass General Hospital PDP-4 computer with Analog inputs all set for this time and we could show it off here before we deliver it
I.T.T. -Ken reported on the cancellation of 3 ADX machines by I.T.T.; these were ADX-9, 10, and 11 scheduled for delivery in December, January, and February. DEC has calculated the cancellation fee to be charged, but I.T.T. has not yet accepted the figure. We are optimistic about future orders from I.T.T., though the progress of their own development of a computer for the ADX system is not clearly known.
We are working on a low price, low performance, highly reliable tape unit patterned after the one which MIT developed for the Linc Computer. Part of this is a slow speed motor. The most obvious way of doing this is to buy a gear motor, but we would like to consider using a low speed motor because it has less parts and should be more reliable. The Electronic Engineer's Master lists motors of this type made by Teledyne Precision, Inc., 3155 West El Segunda Boulevard, Hawthorne, California, telephone SP 2-2591. The model we are interested in is 46-60 which is a 600 rpm motor.
Will you check on this company for me and let me know if they look reliable and sound enough so that we could depend on them for a product which we would like to be of high quality and also would like to have a reliable source for.
This DECUS Meeting which is now going on is rather impressive. We have important people from many parts of the country and they are presenting papers which in their title appear to rate favorably with those presented at large conferences. We should be sure to exploit this meeting and get publicity in the appropriate places.
I suggest that we consider including copies of the Decuscope where we send out literature on our computers. I am sure that many people don't realise how extensive our user group is.
Here is a schedule of PGEC Meetings for the next few months.
November 14
-
Thomas Stockebrand will talk on the TX 2 Bulk Storage Tape Unit
December 12
-
Wes Clark will talk on the Linc Computer
January 16
-
Professor Adams at M.I.T. will talk on his Nomograph Computer
We might be spending too much on the printing job we are doing now but for the next two announcements we may consider doing something extra like including photographs because we are particularly interested in these.
Thomas Stockebrand is someone that we expect to hire soon and it would be good to do a good job on him and we also may want to make these type tape units.
The Linc Computer is made with our modules and we would really like to show it off. Maybe we ought to have a picture of it on the announcement.
I met Roland Silver at the PGEC Meeting on Wednesday night and talked to him about his work at Mitre Corporation. They are making a computer of some old modules that they have left over from the Sage II System. I can't figure out why they want to make a computer but they are. I also asked him if we could sell them a computer and he said there is a good possibility and that he would like to talk to Ben about it. I think we should show the initiative on this.
I also talked to Norm Taylor. He sald they have $25,000,000 worth of bids out now and some of them must come through. He is interested in developing a one console drafting machine which would need a small inexpensive computer. He is interested in the PDP-4 but he would need a six microsecond memory even though the rest of it could go slower. I told him I thought that we might get the memory to work at six microseconds even though the rest of the material works slower. I am not quite sure what this means but I am sure that we ought to encourage them along.
He also needs a drum. He figures it should have 20,000 bits per track and rotate at 1,800 rpm. I don't remember the numbers on our regular drum but we ought to look into it before we talk to them.
Minutes of Works Committee Meeting, October 18, 1962
I.T.T. - Ben proposed that the cabinet color on the tape units recently ordered by ITEK be blue, although the ITEK machine is doeskin. He also proposed that we reduce the installation charge if they will use the blue color and the committee agreed to his proposal.
Minutes of Works Committee Meeting, October 22, 1962
I.T.T. - Ken and Andy reported on their meeting in New York with Mr. Alfred Di Scipio, Manager of ITT's Information Systems Division, who is very optimistic about the future sales of ADX systems. Space for the Eastern Airline ADX installation is now being prepared in a prime location on the first floor of the ITT building just off Park Avenue in New York City. Mr. Di Scipio reported again that ITT was developing its own computer.
Minutes of Works Committee Meeting, October 25, 1962
Adams Computer - Since the computer ordered by Adams Associates is not firm yet, we agreed that there should be no EN number assigned to it at present. However, a PDP-1 will be built which will be designated for Adams as soon as the order is definite.
11.
Renegotiation - Dick Mills reported that BBN and ITT (on ADX-1) had replied affirmatively to our question regarding whether their computer orders were renegotiable or not. We had assumed that they were both non-renegotiable. There is a strong possibility that these companies are misinformed on the Renegotiation Act and we will ask Mac Chick to visit here to straighten out these situations. Dick Mills is certain that these two customers are still non-renegotiable.
I was standing by one of the ADX Systems after they had found a trouble and looking over the module that caused the trouble I could see that it was one with two trim pots which were side by side and whose leads came out toward each other in such a way that they touched each other. The contact between these pots might have been poor during test but nntermittantly they made contact and probably caused the trouble.
It is probably good for the Quality Control Department to look for pits and handles and marks on etched boards but above all they should look for wires that touch each other.
During the ISA Show Andy received a call from John Mc Carthy at Stanford University saying that he was interested in a PDP-1. I called him back the next day and talked with him about the general problem. He ls very interested in a PDP-1 because he has his teaching programs already written with that computer. He didn't have the money initially but he does feel he can get it. I told him I thought we could give him a 10% discount but he was a litle disappointed with how small this discount was. I think it would be important for us to get a PDP-1 out there and so I suggest that you follow up on this and feel him out as to how much discount we would have to give him in order to sell the machine there. I think we might go as high as 20 or 25% discount.
I got the impression from ITT that if our price was cut somewhat they would be discouraged from making their own computer and more sales to them might result.
We have considered the possibility of applying the PDP-4 quantity discount to PDP-1. This would lower the cost to them significantly.
We are also actually considering making an 8K or 16K Memory which would be significantly less in cost. This is the one item that hurts them the most. They are now getting bids from other companies to make identical memories for half the price. I think we should encourage this memory with all haste and maybe even gamble on offering it before we are completely sure of it. If this memory goes slower than 5 microseconds the machine would then be a little slower but, in general, this would not hurt ITT. The best thing they could have would be a less expensive, slightly slower PDP-1 because of the tremendous investment they have in PDP-1's.
Ben Gurley is working with Bolt, Beranek and Newman on a high density, high capacity drum which they plan to buy from Univac. If we offered this to ITT as part of the ADX System, this might help us in the sales picture. Their experience with drum and disc I don't think has been too good.
Gordon Bell would like to make a line unit all in one plug-in unit. If we did this we might really be competitive with them and we might be in a position to make the whole works.
Enclosed is a photocopy of a letter from Jerry Cox at Central Institute for the Deaf. They have now put impossible restrictions on the computer they need and they are either going to end up with no computer at all or they are going to have to back down. We want to stay in there pitching so that they'll back down in those areas which puts us in the running.
There is also, I would guess, a good liklihood that SDS will fall flat on their faces with some of the things they have promised. We want to be there to catch the order if they drop out.
Will you generate the comparison between 910 and the PDP-1 and give a copy of it to me and to Stan. Before you answer this letter to Jerry Cox, please let me see it because it is a very touchy thing to make comments about the competition even though they may be all in your favor.
The PDP-1 computer which we purchased from DEC has now been in operation for about one month at MIT. I have been constantly amazed and delighted by its completely trouble free functioning. This is not the first time that I have purchased complex electronic equipment and I know that even the best has usually growing pains during the first few weeks of operation. The PDP-1 started operating less than 12 hours after being uncrated at MIT. During the first 48 hours we did indeed find 2 or 3 defective transistors. These flaws were repaired by your staff within hours even though it was a weekend. Since then the only minor interruptions have been due to errors on our part in operating the machine.
We have used the computer very intensely in developing a novel system of data evaluation for high energy nuclear physics and I believe that we have logged about 15 operating hours per day. We have not had the opportunity to utilize some of the operational peripheral equipment very extensively. I can, therefore, not speak for its reliability. This applies especially to the magnetic tape unit. On the other hand, the type 30 display oscilloscope is the very heart of our system and I have found it far superior to your advertising claim. I understand that you intend to raise these claims very justifiably. We have found the display stability to be of the order of one part in 4,000. This is, of course, almost an order of magnitude better than your formal claim. I believe that for the specialized type of applica tion for which we have acquired the PDP-1 it is an almost ideal device and on the basis of the first months use I cannot imagine a more reliable instrument. In addition the extremely helpful attitude of your maintenance and repair personnel in the few cases in which we had to ask for their advice or help has immensely aided in the very rapid progress which we have made on our project. A number of visitors who have seen the results of our work have found it almost unbelievable that we have been able to make such progress in so short a time. I believe that the explanation lies very largely in the great flexability and reliability of the PDP-1.
I am not in the habit of writing testimonial letters but I believe that so outstanding a performance on your part should not go without written comment.
Minutes of Works Committee Meeting, November 15, 1962
PDP for Sales - Stan, proposed building a PDP-1 and a PDP-4 specifically for the Sales Department and writing them off to sales expense immediately. It was agreed that these units should be built but that the write-off should await a later decision.
Sometime we might consider making a version of the TX 2 tape unit. One interesting angle would be to run it at approximately constant speed using DC motors. For constant speed you would want the sum of the back emf's of both motors to be equal. You cannot simply put these series across a fixed voltage because one wants to be driven and the others to be retarded. However, I think that with a simple transistor system one could subtract the voltage across the retarding motor from some fixed voltage and apply that to the driving motor. I think then you would have a fixed speed system. They are now making DC motors which appear to be quite simple and reliable. They are made by Lamb Company. This is the company that seems to make them for all the conventional tape units such as made by Potter, Ampex and CDC.
John Ward of the Systems Group at M.I.T. has several interesting projects which I would like to have you look into. We can probably get a lot out of working with them on the projects and I think we can be quite helpful to them.
They are interested in the Conic line drawing scope that Ivan Sutherland is proposing but they have a competitive system which they have started working on which they feel is even more practical. This uses pulse rate analog. They also want to add an oscilloscope to the 709 and have it so that it can be added to the 7090. This is part of the computerated design program which is supported by the Air Force.
Mark Connelly has been for years working on analog digital hybrid systems for aircraft simulation. We have a copy of a report which he wrote some time ago describing this. This got wide distribution and has made our computer rather popular in the industry. We sold one to Minneapolis Honeywell because of his work and several manufacturers have included our computer in their bids because of Mark's work. Mark is adding multiply and divide to our computer at M.I.T., and would like to expand the memory. He is also going to add an analog computer in the input which he will get from Philbrick Associates.
A good part of this system will be pulse rate analog units which they have designed. I have offered to package these units for them inexpensively because we have learned quite a bit. I would like to have you learn as much as you can about their system so that we can be helpful and that we can find out whether we should do extensive work in this or not.
Some fellows from M.1.T. told me that they had visitors from Minneapolls Honeywell who said they had a PDP-1 Computer but didn't have any programs. People are playing Space War and are having a good time at it, but they are looking for some programs which are a little more useful. This was not given in a spirit of criticism of DEC but I just wanted to ask you to be sure that they did get all the programs that we do have available.
When you have developed enough confidence in the LINC Tape Unit, I think you should immediately order another head so that we can complete the present tape unit. You might consider ordering three more so that we can have another complete set. As soon as we get the complete motors, we ought to decide what speed we want to use.
These Borg motors come in three sizes. They are made out of the same parts but there are just more laminations for the bigger motor. We will have to decide which size motor we are going to use. We have two of the bigger size motors coming early in December. They wind all their motors to order and this is why it takes so long. However, they do stock gear sets and so, during the trade show, I asked them to send the gear trains for the faster motor right away and we can put them into the motors we have now and decide what speed we want. It might be a good idea for you to remind these people so they will get it done and we can decide on the speed of the motors, then we can order our final motors right away. Because they wind them to order, probably they will not delay it significantly to order a 75 volt motor or whatever voltage we decide is helpful.
Ben Gurley just came back from his trip to Paris and he has some rather disturbing news to report. Two weeks ago we had a call from ITT saying that there were mysterious intermittant troubles in the Paris machine which they had been working on for months and hadn't been able to track down. The machine never did work more than twenty-four hours at a time and our future sales of machines were dependent on making this one work satisfactorily. That same day we put Ben Gurley on the plane to Parls and the next day sent Al Blumenthal along so that they could fix the troubles and get it on the air.
The most significant problem they found were cold solder joints on the lugs which are used to solder transistors and some resistors. These units were made some time ago and I think at that time we were using very little heat on the lugs for some reason or other and if the transistor was held in mechanically, we felt that it was satisfactory. I hope that since then we have insisted on smooth flowing joints, on all joints, particularly these on the lugs. Tom Stockebrand who has just joined us today from Lincoln Laboratory also mentioned the fact that the only trouble they have had with DEC Modules were cold solder joints in the same places.
I am sending this memo on to you to make sure that you keep a close eye on these solder joints so that we never have this problem again.
Attached are a description of the Peripheral Equipment Department and plam for its future work on cathode ray tube displays. Some descriptive material on displays already produced is also included.
ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT DEPARTMENT
To further indicate the extent of the department's activities I would like to list some of the projects that have been worked on during the past year, since the rest of the discussion will concern only one part of our work, cathodo ray tube displays.
Design and installation of a special Fast Block Transfer instruction in both the ITEK and Cambridge Research Laboratories PDP-1's.
Design and construction of two Type 30-B Cathode Ray Tube Displays. The first of these two displays was the first of the present line of Type 30 Displays to be designed. It wao designed between April and November of last year, the first one being delivered to ITEK on November 8th. It was designed to allow the customer to draw 500 to 1000 linear inches of information flicker free on the face of the tube when using the display and the Fast Block Transfer instruction mentioned above in combination with a storage disc rotating at 30 revolutions per second and storing around it's perlphery 1 frame of information to be displayed.
Design of the Precision Display, Type 30-A, which to the standard optional 16" display for PDP-1.
Design of 4 additional models 30-C, D, E, and F, all of which are basically similar to the 30-A but with different logical capabilities. Of these, the 30-C is most different. It has the capability of drawing coordinate lines either horizontally or vertically under computer control. To date, we have produced a total of fifteen units in the Type 30 line of which eleven have been delivered to custcmers and fcur are in use either here or in our West Coast Office or are on loan to prospective customers.
We have designed, produced, and delivered two Ultra-Precision Displays, Type 31. The circuitry for them is quite different from that used in the Type 30.
Design and construction of two 21" color displays. One has been delivered to a customer, the other is presently being finished for our own use.
Design and production of two High Speed Printers, Type 62. One has been delivered to a customer, the other is being used here in the plant. Both of these devices can print 120 columns of text at a rate of 600 or 900 lines per minute.
Design, production, and installation of a card reader control to enable Lawrence Radiation Laboratory to connect a high speed 2000 cards per minute card reader to their PDP-1 computer system.
Design and construction of two Card Punch Controls, Type 40-523, to connect IBM Model 523 100 cards per minute card punches to PDP-1 and 4.
PLANS FOR FUTURE CATHODE RAY TUBE DISPLAY WORK IN THE PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT DEPARTMENT
Tho plans outline below with dates attached are all very short range with the exception of the Line and Curve Drawing Display. This is due to the fact that we have just begun to examine the needs of display users, as well as those of users of other peripheral equipment, that are not satisfied by our present equipment.
Digital Symbol Generator Type 23 Estimated cost per unit based on the sale of 4 units is approximately $1700. Estimated engineering time required is six man - weeks. Estimated sales price Is $5000. Estimated sales availability date is January 1st.
The Symbol Generator is presently under construction and will be used with both Type 30 and Type 31 Displays, however it will be most useful initially on the Type 30. The Generator allows alpha-numeric characters and any other symbols that can be constructed from points in a 5 x 7 matrix to be displayed at a rate approximately ten times faster than they can be displayed at present. We can now display only about 25 to 30 characters completely flicker free. With the new generator we will be able to display 250 to 300 characters without flicker. Almost all our present Type 30 users are interested in the flicker free presentation of data, especially if the presentation is to be observed for long periods of time. Flickering data Is extremely tiring to watch.
We expect to have the first unit installed In a Type 30 Display by November 21, and to demonstrate it in operation at the Fall Joint Computer Conference on December 4, 5, and 6.
Camera Equipment For Type 30 and Type 31 Display We plan to offer both Polaroid and 35 mm camera equipment as well as mounting assemblies to attach the cameras to the front of the displays for both the Type 30 and Type 31. Estimated availability for sale of equipment for Display Type 30 is January 30, and for Display Type 31 is February 28th. No estimate on cost or sales price is available as yet.
The 35mm camera selected is an Automax G2R which will cost approximately $2500. The Polaroid camera has not yet been decided upon but will probably be a Tektronix assembly for the Type 31 and a Beattie-Colman for the Type 30.
We plan to reach this decision by December lst.
Ultra-Precision Display Type 31 Improvements Estimated sales price of the Display Type 31 is approximately $30,000. Estimated time of completion of improvements now under way is December 15. Estimated sales availability including these improvements is December 15.
We are presently completing our third Ultra-Precision Display. It contains improved mechanical positioning mechanisms for precise alignment of the focus coil and deflection yoke, an expremely important part of the process of producing accurate, high resolution displays. We are also adding a protective clrcult to prevent burning of the screen due to catastrophic failures in the cathode ray tube power supply circuits or due to personnel error.
Further investigation of other cathode ray tubes and methods of further improving the spot size and shape are scheduled for the first two weeks in January.
Light Pen Type 32 Improvement of the Light Pen and is associated amplifier module through the establishment of firm test specifications and the design of much needed test equipment is scheduled to take place starting November 19 and is to be completed by December 7.
No additional work on the light pen is scheduled at this time, however a week of investigation into the possibilities of using a fiber optics light pipe to transmit light to the amplifier from a pen containing only a lens and shutter, and the problem of adding an aiming light and variable field of view adjustment is scheduled during the week following the completion of the light pen test equipment design.
Line and Curve Drawing Displays of the Type 30 Class One man week of preliminary investigation into methods to be used to implement a display which can produce lines and/or conic sections is scheduled for the first half of January. We would like to develop a system requiring a minimum of input information per line. This would result in low data transfer rate between the display and the computer and a low storage requirement in the computer compared to present metheds used to produce this sort of display. Three people we have been in contact with have expressed interest in displays of this type. They are located at MIT, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratory and at Cape Canaveral.
We are attempting to obtain the consulting services of Ivan Sutherland, a doctoral candidate at MIT, who has written his thesis describing a system he has developed for using a computer, a cathode ray tube display, and a llght pen, to enable one to "sketch" on the display with the light pen and, with the aid of the computer, to produce drawings quickly and easily that have many interesting properties. He would assist us to establish requirements for a system that would produce results similar to those obtained so far in his work, but with lower storage equipment.
Color Display Estimated completion date of the unit presently under construction is Jemuary 1.
We delivered one color display last spring to Cambridge Research Laboratory which we produced as part of a computer system under a research and development contract for them. We are presently completing a second display similar to the first for our own use.
No further work is scheduled at present on color displays, however we will continue to stay informed about new color tube developments and to discuss color display requirements with interested customers.
Oscilloscope Display Type 34 Estimated cost based on the sale of 1 unit to $1265. Estimatcd sales price is $3400. Estimated date of availability for sale is December 15.
Display Type 34 is the lowest price cathode ray tube display that we offer. It basically consists of the logic portion of the Type 30-D Display without the deflection amptifiers and is designed to be mounted in rack space available within the computers. Outputs from the X and Y axis digital to analog decoders and the intensification amplifier are used to feed the X, Y, and Z inputs to any one of a number of different types of Tektronix oscilloscopes. The customer wi11 provide the oscilloscope.
We have already produced one of these units for use on the PDP-4 that has been delivered to Massachusatts General Hospital. Estimated additional engineering time required is three man days.
Meeting between DEC and ISD (ITT), November 26, 1962
Mr. John Hart, Purchasing Manager Information Systems Division 600 Industrial Avwenue Paramus, New Jersey
Re: Meeting between DEC and ISD, November 26, 1962
Dear John
Regarding your list of quality control problems, DEC offers the following solutions:
1.
Tape unit overheating - All future Tape Transports will have fans top and bottom. The louvres that you have added to the Tape Transports already in the field will provide adequate cooling.
2.
Noise on analog signal leads - tape unit - Roland Boisvert of DEC would like to visit ITT/ISD this week and examine this problem to determine its cause. There are several possibilities:
a.
Poor grounding.
b.
Inadequate shieiding.
c.
A 1684 card used instead of a 1685.
DEC will provide modification kits to correct any problem.
3.
Power Transients - DEC will provide modification kits for all Tape Transports in the field which do not already have power transient suppression. This will be accomplished by sending a DEC representative to the Paramus facility to demonstrate the use of these kits. Kits will be within two or three weeks and will consist of miscellaneous components, a new power control, and new cabling.
4.
Tape write lockout ring - DEC will provide kits for all machines in the field. We will provide a Potter man to give a demonstration of the modification at you Paramus facility.
5.
Tape-load and end point lights - DEC will provide replacement lamps for all Potter units having the old style load and end point lights.
6.
Memory Cards - The analysis of field failure data provided by Lloyd Gainy indicates no chronic failure pattern in 1978, 1982, 1540 and 1976 cards. There is some evidence that the 1972 card may be vibration-sensitive. Our quality control group is presently investigating the transistors in this board, and our vendor will be contacted to aid in determining the cause of this problem. As an immediate insurance of quality, DEC is vibration-testing all memory systems and 1972 boards that will be shipped in the future. The vibration test is conducted by striking the frame of the memory rack with a rubber mallet. The tests performed by ITT/ISD in Paris (striking a 1972 on a module extender with a ruler) are somewhat questionable. It is quite probable that the vibration sensitive failures on ADX-0 were induced by this testing procedure. We recommend that this type of testing be stopped immediately, and that all future test consists of striking the equipment frame with a rubber hammer in order to generate vibration.
7.
Noise caused by sense switches - DEC recommends that 3.9 microfarad capacitors be added to ground across the sense switches, single step and single instruction switches of all ADX equipment. We will provide this change on all future systems, and will provide ITT/ISD with parts to make this modification on all systems already shipped.
8.
High voltage protection - DEC will install plastic covers over all AC terminal strips and capacitor terminals on all future ADX machines.
9.
Noise and terminations - A list of all terminations required on ADX systems in the field will be sent to ITT/ISD this week.
10.
Poor solder joints - ADX-5 has already received a complete wiring inspection. Machines inspected after the first of August have received 100% quality control inspection, and we feel that re-inspection would be of little value. ADX-0, 1, 2, and 4 may require re-inspection, and a schedule will be arranged with Mr. Lloyd Gainy to achieve this.
11.
Taper pin clearance - This is still under consideration.
12.
AC outlets - This is still under consideration.
13.
Tape control noise in the inter-record gap - Roland Boisvert will visit the Paramus facility this week to discuss this matter and Items 2 and 15.
14.
Repair of cards - DEC maintains its original policy to ITT/ISD for repair or replacement of defective module cards, but it is not practical for us to provide replacement components for system modules.
15.
Stop delay 3.0 to 10.0ms - see Item 13.
16.
Wiring mods at Paris - See Ben Gurley's report.
17.
Ben Gurley's report - A copy of Mr. Gurley's report will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
PDP-1C M.I.T. ESL, Type 10 Multiply/Divide Option Purchase
I have sent you a copy of a letter I got from John Ward at M.I.T. The Electronic Systems Laboratory expects to get money late in January to purchase a multiplier to install in their PDP-1. I told John that if they are reasonably sure they can get their money, we would be willing to give them a multiplier on trial. If they like it, they can buy it. This is not an unusual way of doing business. This letter is the result of this offer and I think we should go ahead and install the multiplier for them.
I promised Foxboro that we would go ahead and build their first computer and deliver it in February as promised even though we have not had a purchase order from them. This will then allow us to casually work out the agreements without the pressure of time. They would give us a letter saying that they are going to eventually give us a purchase order, but I told them that this would not be necessary and that we could continue with this project.
if there is some reason why we cannot make this date, please let me know because I have assured them that we would.
We have developed a lot of interest in the hybrid analog-digital computers and I am now thinking that this is the area in which you might make the best contribution to DEC. We need someone who will be expert in this field and even if we don't build them ourselves, we should know enough about the field so that we can help the customers. M.I.T. Systems Laboratory is going to add an Electronic Associates Analog Computer to the PDP-1 they have down there. We have offered to help in doing this and maybe even do the manufacturing at a significantly reduced rate in order to gain the experience on this.
I am enclosing a copy of an M.I.T. Report on the general project to give you a head start on it. Let me know what you think about this area so that we can make our plans before you get here.
We are still keeping it a secret from the outside world but we are well underway toward making LINC tape units. We have ordered a mold for the reels and we have patterns for making aluminum castings for the hubs, and we are developing solid state circuitry for motor controls. We will be in a position to need your help on this project when you get here but I would like as a main project to have you consider the hybrid computer.
Standard Telephones and Cables Limited ADX Price Request
Document:102737375-05-001-src.pdf, Page 256 of 272
Thank you for your prompt reply to my letter requesting price for an ADX System. I have delayed my answer hoping that by this time I would have been able to send you an order for the equipment on which you quoted. I want very much to take advantage of your offer to eliminate $40,033.80 from the ADX cancellation charges made to ITT, and we need the equipment as well. Unfortunately, the matter cannot be resolved until after a top level meeting at ITT in New York, now scheduled for January 7th, I shall attend this meeting, along with my Chief Engineer, Dr. G. G. Smith, and the Technical Director of STC, Mr. D. S. Ridler. We shall be meeting with ITT's Technical Director, Dr. Busignies, as well as other ITT executives. Shortly following this conference we will be able to advise you whether we will be in a position to buy the ADX System from you. I realise that your offer expires January lst, but I hope that you will extend it until January 15th. I would appreciate your advising me by return post whether you would agree to this, as your decision will in turn necessarily affect my own plans.
I personally feel that S.T.C. is now in an even stronger position to exploit the ADX market in Europe and that the chances of our buying our first system from you are quite good. Because Dr. Smith will already be in the U.S.A. at the time the decision is made, there is a good chance that he will be able to arrange discussion with you at that time regarding any technical details which may be in question
I shall look forward to hearing from you soon, In the meanwhile, way I wish you and your associates at D.E.C. a very Merry Christmas.
Meeting between DEC and ISD (ITT), December 27, 1962
SUBJECT: Minutes of Meeting Between ITT/ISD Personnel and DEC, 12-27-62.
The following agenda was adherec to:
I. Review of quality problems cliscussed on Meeting of November 26, 1962 and progress to date. Copies of the answers to this original Meeting are attached for your reference.
Item 1 -
As stated.
Item 2, 13 and 15 -
The general list of items pertinent to Potter Transports will be wrapped up during a visit to our premises by Mr. Roland Boisvert; this date is still pending
Item 3, 4 and 5 -
Answered satisfactorily and balance of the Kits will be shipped by January 30, 1963.
Item 6 -
was discussed at some considerable length. Mr. Olsen suggested that a close relationship be established between our Mr Lloyd Gainey and their Mr. Robert J. Beckmann who will plot trends developing in our Field Maintenance Operations and compare notes with information that DEC gathers from their other customers. Regularly scheduled contacts will be established between these men and it will be their responsibility to report it's progress.
Item 7 -
DEC will advise us of their shipping schedule for the 3.9 Microfarad Capacitors.
Item 8 -
Mr. Olsen suggested that further study be made in this area as to the utilization of a more durable protective cover rather than the lucite that is being currently used.
Item 9 -
Completed.
Item 10 -
Mr. Gainey will establish a schedule for DEC to perform 100% quality control inspection for the following systems: ADX-1 ADX-2 ADX-4
Item 11 -
Adequate material has been received for insulation purposes.
Item 12 -
Mr. Olsen is requesting that DEC continue a study for the most advantageous locations for AC Outlets on a separate circuit than the equipment power. Mr. Paivinen suggested that a High Frequency Filter be utilized with the AC Outlets.
Item 14 -
Covered with Item 6. In addition, Mr. L. Gainey will supply a list of components he feels are required for replacement in the field and submit to DEC
Item 16 and 17 -
Mr. Gurley's report received by Mr. Dmochowski.
II. Means of continuing good business relationships and how improved communications for Engineering Liaison may be established.
As previously mentioned, various programs have been recommended for improving DEC/ISD Liaison. In addition, it is also suggested that greater contacts be made with Mrs. Elsa Neuman, Secretary of the DECUS Organization, (Digital Equipment Corporation's Users Society).
III. Discussion of future ITT/ISD requirements in DEC Area.
Mr. R. L. Lane indicated a possibility of new business requirements in the area of 16 to 20 additional Memory Cores, 2 Tape Controllers and 12 Tape Units. It was requested that current quotations be developed. It was also suggested that these delivery schedules be re-evaluated every 60 days to maintain best current deliveries. A question was also brought up as to how we might best expand our Sequence Break System and Mr. N. Mazzarese indicated that these units were built for complete utilization of all 263 Channels. Equipment shipped with basic 32 Channels may be increased by adding a 4603 board, adding 3 Channels each board.
IV. Future pricing schedules to be supplied by DEC and their possible impact on ITT/ISD Marketing Activities.
Mr. Nick Mazzarese put on the easel discount schedules for Computer's PDP-1 and 4. They are as follows:
l Machine - 0% 2 Machines - 3% 3 Machines - 12% 4 Machines - 18% 5 Machines and up - 24%
This also applies to Memory Components. Additional discount schedules will be submitted to us by the first week of January, 1963.
Additional comments were made on developing new transport suppliers.
I got a little envelope of literature from Chicago Miniature Lamp Works Chicago, Illinois which describes their lamps. There is one which looks particularly interesting for photoelectric tape reader. As we develop a more inexpensive computer, I think it will be important for us to make our own photoelectric tape reader. I would like to have you order a sample of each of the three sizes of this lamp bulb. The Model numbers of these are CM 8-55, CM 8-40 and CM-80.