Our friend Fred in Rockcliffe Park, Ontario found a terrific transportable computer by Ottawa-based Dynalogic–it’s the Hyperion and offers some cool features for a 1983 computer, including dual 360k 5 1/4″ disk drives, built-in amber CRT and a video out jack for displaying CGA graphics! The keyboard slides underneath the CPU and locks into place. This machine was driven the DOS 2.11 operating system. Fred also notes that the system appears to support some sort of networking capability, as there’s an unusual network interface in the back. One of Dynalogic’s largest customers was the Canadian Government. Can you imagine they paid over $4000 for these machines? This one was grabbed for $5.00–just a wee bit less than the original price.

In the never-ending quest for old electronic stuff, there are rare occasions when we stumble upon an unknown, unmapped source for a cornucopia of desirables. If you’re a fan of old and obsolete computers, Classic Computers in West Haven, Connecticut is indeed such a place.

From the outside, this shop sure doesn’t look like much, does it? We dare you to try finding this place on your own. The old mid-size servers to the left are reminiscient of stripped autos one might find in a South Bronx neighborhood.

Unfortunately, only one quarter of the store was navigable on the day I went– exploring most of the store required a grappling hook and climbing gear to get over the 3m high piles of hardware.

A mass grave for a thousand extinct data centers.

Many systems used teletype terminals instead of video terminals in the 70s and early 80s. The computer operator would perform input using a keyboard and observed output as characters were printed on spooled paper by the built-in printer. Pictured above, a 1974 DECwriter terminal captured in action amidst a busy office.

A row of poor old DECwriters waiting to die.The second floor of Classic Computers probably has one of the best collections of old DEC hardware imaginable. Some believe this hardware is no more valuable than the dust they’re collecting–we, however know otherwise.

Like a sea-siren, this Commodore PET beckons you to approach–but take caution, or you’ll stumble over the pile of 1981 IBM 5150 machines like the one pictured below.

I was lucky to pick up one gem–a 1982 Non-Linear Systems Kaypro II, as shiny and new as the day it was made. Gordon looks on with bewilderment (or embarassment).

Perhaps you’re like this guy–a real lover of old IBM and Digital, DEC & PDP mainframe equipment. Why not give Classic Computers a call. Tell’em the guys from Pocket Calculator sent you!

Classic Computers
614 Campbell Avenue
West Haven, CT 06516
(203) 933-7599

It was so close. I found myself at a quaint downtown pawn shop during my lunch hour this autumn afternoon. And there was the Sharp cassette deck I had only seen once before in the wild. My mirth runneth over upon discovering the hanging price tag which read $10. But I would let this one slip away, too. Cardinal rule of junk hunting: always carry cash. No check, ATM, or credit card would do at Uncle Sam’s Gold n’Pawn. So when I returned to claim my holy grail, it was as if a dagger had pierced…alright enough melodrama. Some bastard was now home playing with the programming keypad on what should have been my cassette deck! And I’m still drooling over an old catalog. Always carry cash…

One of the many sightings and brags discussed on our showd, this one was spotted by Paul in a downtown Miami electronics shop that had apparently paused in time–this thing looked brand spankin’ new, despited the fact that it was probably sold “new” back in 1985. Very cool system–features digital tuning, sleek pearl-white case, RCA-style inputs and outputs and a most unusual top-loading cassette drive.

In the mid-70s, Sanyo released their Horizon Collection, a multitude of hi-tech gadgets aimed at travelling executives and playboys. This electronics suite was pricey, but incredibly cool. Here’s one piece from the collection we grabbed– the RPM-6950. It’s an ultra-slim, pocket-sized AM/FM stereo equipped with an LCD display for the included digital alarm clock and calculator. Analog tuning for the radio is up top, calculator and clock access is up front. Wow! Though these inventions may not currently have the widespread appeal of some other vintage electronics, they’re the ones we most treasure. They epitomize the technological genius for the time and dared to be unusual, inventive and chic.

Pocket Calculator can be heard on shortwave every Saturday evening at 10:00pm Eastern Time (Sundays 0300 UTC) on US shortwave station WBCQ-The Planet. WBCQ is a 50,000 watt shortwave radio station that serves North America, the Caribbean and most of South America on 7415 kHz, 9335 kHz and 17495 kHz. Tune in each Saturday evening at 10pm Eastern Time (0300h UTC) on 7415 kHz for vintage electronics fun with Jay Hanson and Paul Zurek!

During one of our weekend trips to New York City in the early 1990s, Jay and I stumbled upon an electronics shop in Times Square that was selling about a dozen of these unusual Casio calculators for $25 apiece. These calculators had an abundance of features, the most extraordinary of which was a touch-sensitive display, allowing a user to enter handwritten data, names, maps, etc. directly to memory! Lord knows why, but neither of us purchased one of these. Little did we know, we’d be kicking ourselves for the next decade for not doing so.

But just a few days ago, I travelled into a well-visited area of Manhattan, and lo and behold, there it was…amidst junky portable CD and mp3 players sat a boxed Casio IF-8000. The box was a little worn here and there, but the device itself was in pristine shape. 30 dollars allowed me to exit the shop with Diary in hand, complete with new batteries.

The flagship of Casio Super Memory-Computer line of handheld organizers, we dub the IF-8000 the “Grandfather of PDAs” like today’s Palm Pilot and Handspring. This handheld computer features many functions found on today’s PDAs, including telephone, appointment and miscellaneous data storage, business calculator functions and even BASIC programming capability! Submit alphanumeric input via the traditional keypad on the left or via the membrane keys on the right.

These features are trivial when compared to the best capability of all: an image input function handled by a stylus and a touch-sensitive screen!! Yes, this handheld computer is historically significant in that it’s the first device of its kind to use a touch screen to store input. This input can even be stored on virtual screens, expandable to a 4×4 window! This input can also be stored alongside data entered via keypad.

Unfortunately, the IF8000 was short-lived though its impact on computers and calculators was no doubt significant. We’re proud to have one of these in our collection and learned that we’ll never walk away from a unique electronic device again.

Don’t be deceived by its unassuming looks–this baby packs quite a punch, functionally speaking. In the early ’80s, Casio sought to provide a do-it-all device for the travelling businessman or busy student. The TA-1000 provides a nice calculator, a clock and a datebook of sorts (actually an array of six alarms each with a unique “chime”) in a slim and lightweight package. Take a look at the display, isn’t the day listing on the bottom pretty sweet? But you’ll agree the icing on the cake is the multiple alarm notifications.

Click here to hear the TA-1000 in action!