Kenbak-I Digital Computer, 1971

No. 0185, by Kenbak Corporation, Los Angeles, California, 8-bit. 256-byte, with original chips date-coded 1971, motherboard designation "Kenbak 1000 Rev. B", power supply, fifteen switches and lights, in blue-painted metal case with original chrome side bars and rear label "Kenbak Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., Kenbak-1 Digital Computer, Part 10017, Revision (blank), Serial Number 0185", approx. 19 ¼ x 11 ½ x 4 ¼ in. (49 x 29 x 11 cm). – In addition: September 1971 issue of "Scientific American". Kenbak-I No. 0185 comes from the first and only production run of fifty computers produced by Kenbak Corporation. Since the serial numbers commenced with 167, this particular machine was nineteenth in the sequence. The computer was cleaned and tested by Vintage Micros in March 2015. According to the evaluation report, Kenbak-I No. 0185 is in unusually well-preserved original functioning condition, with no evidence of defective or replacement components. The report made special note of the motherboard designation "Kenbak 1000". A copy of this report accompanies the lot. Please note that, though in working condition, this computer should be operated by a qualified technician. Catalogue Notes: John Blankenbaker began his designs for a computing device that could calculate using logarithms while he was a first year physics student at Oregon State College. In 1958 he published his description of the machine in an article titled "Logically Microprogrammed Computers" and in 1970 decided to build an affordable computer for personal use. In the early days of the office computer even a small device cost thousands of dollars whereas Blankenbaker's goal was a simple computer that would cost no more than $500. His criteria were that the computer should be educational, give user satisfaction with simple programmes and demonstrate as many programming concepts as possible. The result was the Kenbak-I, the first commercially available personal computer. The 8-bit machine offered 256 bytes and input and output via switches and lights. The first advert appeared in the September 1971 issue of "Scientific American" with a price of $750 ($250 more than Blankenbaker had hoped for – but still a modest price) and the caption: "Fun Educational Modern Electronic Technology created the Kenbak-I with a price that even private individuals and small schools can afford...Step-by-step you can learn to use the computer with its three programming registers, five addressing modes, and 256 bytes of memory. Very quickly you, or your family or students, can write programs for fun and interest." Kenbak-I pre-dated Apple I by five years and, unlike most 'hobbyist' computers of the time, was sold as an assembled and functioning machine rather than as a kit. It was a well-designed and professionally-produced computer that outstripped the first Apple in terms of usability, but is virtually unknown today. Of the 50 units produced between 1971 and 1973, only 10 are thought to have survived. Why did Apple Inc. succeed where Kenbak Corporation failed? The answer lies in the marketing. The Kenbak-I was perhaps too good. Since its accessibility made the computer seem like a perfect teaching tool, Kenbak Corporation focused marketing on schools rather than the private individuals who would appreciate the "fun aspects" of computing. Unfortunately for Blankenbaker and his five investors, the university students and young professionals who made up Apple's customer base (in 1979 as well as today) were to prove a more viable market. After only a limited response, production ceased and the Kenbak Corporation closed down in 1973. As a posthumous nod of recognition, Steve Wozniak and a panel of other judges voted Kenbak-I "the first commercially available personal computer" at the Boston Computer Museum in 1987. – A technically important milestone in computing history. References: www.kenbak-1.net website of the late John Blankenbaker. For additional reference, see "Oral History of John Blankenbaker" interview by Lee Felsenstein, 14 June 2007 on website of Computer History Museum (www.computerhistory.org).

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)