VOGONS


First post, by Miphee

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Sorry for the quality, the pictures are not mine.
When was this made and what was it used for? Any info would be appreciated.

Reply 1 of 13, by imi

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the spec plate seems to say "information systems group" though that didn't lead me anywhere, I can't decipher the logo

Reply 2 of 13, by Miphee

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I can't add another image because "Reaction image posts are off-topic on VOGONS."

Reply 3 of 13, by SpectriaForce

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It's possibly a Wang terminal from the second half of the 1970's.

Reply 4 of 13, by Miphee

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I found it to be a Bunker Ramo 2200 Multi Station Computer System from 1969.

Reply 5 of 13, by SpectriaForce

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Miphee wrote on 2020-02-12, 18:46:

I found it to be a Bunker Ramo 2200 Multi Station Computer System from 1969.

Source? Where was it used for?

Reply 7 of 13, by SpectriaForce

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If it's really from 1969, then it must have been state of the art technology, because it looks very 70's to me, especially the design of the keycaps on the keyboard make me think that. This looks to me of the same age as a Lear Siegler ADM-3. Are there datecodes on IC's (if any..) or transistors to confirm that it's so old?

By the way, I just found this website: https://terminals-wiki.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page That's interesting!

Hmm it seems there were more very modern looking terminals available around 1970, e.g.: https://terminals-wiki.org/wiki/index.php/DEC_VT05

Reply 8 of 13, by imi

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interesting, because while the screen looked 70-ish the keyboard keys distinctly seemed older to me ^^ I even started searching for pre 70s stuff because of that.

Reply 9 of 13, by Jo22

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imi wrote on 2020-02-13, 23:13:

interesting, because while the screen looked 70-ish the keyboard keys distinctly seemed older to me ^^ I even started searching for pre 70s stuff because of that.

I've also noticed that the keyboard has QWERTZ layout, so it might originate from Germany.
Another thing that took my interest was the rusted connector on the right.
It looks like a BNC connector, maybe intended for video in/out.

The large connector in the middle might be a big RS232 connector, DB-25, maybe.
That connector on the left might be multi-pupose connector for different cables.
Connectors like this existed in the amateur radio fields, as well.

So you could use one connector for, say, power-input of different voltages (12v, 24 or VAC).
Whenever you wished to use a different power source, simply change the cable.

Or maybe, it also carried extra pins for TTL-style i/o, as used by old TeleType equippment (TTY, RTTY 5-Bit Baudot code)
The round "connector" near the cable might be a fuse box, also.

Anyway, these are just some ideas. 😄

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//

Reply 10 of 13, by Miphee

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Thanks for the replies. I just couldn't resist and bought it, it's on the way. I'll post pictures when it arrives.

Reply 11 of 13, by derSammler

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Jo22 wrote on 2020-02-13, 23:23:

It looks like a BNC connector, maybe intended for video in/out.

The large connector in the middle might be a big RS232 connector, DB-25, maybe.

That DB-25 connector is obviously for the keyboard, as it has the matching connector.

I'd assume the BNC connector is 10BASE Ethernet, or maybe ARCnet. Video seems unlikely to me.

Reply 12 of 13, by Jo22

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derSammler wrote on 2020-02-14, 16:16:
Jo22 wrote on 2020-02-13, 23:23:

It looks like a BNC connector, maybe intended for video in/out.

The large connector in the middle might be a big RS232 connector, DB-25, maybe.

That DB-25 connector is obviously for the keyboard, as it has the matching connector.

I'd assume the BNC connector is 10BASE Ethernet, or maybe ARCnet. Video seems unlikely to me.

Ah yes, makes sene, I did forget about the keyboard. However, ASCII keyboards did exist, I believe.
They were common in the computer hobbyists times of the 70s. ARCNet and 10Base2 may be to new, though, not sure.
The first one was brand new in the later 1970s, I believe. This design looks like from the Apollo era of computing.
Unless it was made decades later and the designers agreed on this archaic design on purpose. 😉

Edit: If this thing is from Germany or was made for German countries, I wouldn't be suprised if it looks old despite containing newer technology.
Things there often were always behind the times, especially in terms of ergonomics, unless they somehow were related to car industry. 😁

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//

Reply 13 of 13, by Miphee

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I got it, it's super dirty inside and out. Need lots of cleaning.
I checked the ICs and the date is 1973. I searched Bunker Ramo 1973 and found this picture.