Digital Equipment Corporation's founders and many of its engineers came from the post-war computing research environment of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ken Olsen and Harlan Anderson founded Digital Equipment Corporation (or DEC) in 1957, setting up shop in a converted 19^th century woolen mill in Maynard, Massachusetts. Their financing came from the American Research and Development Corporation, a firm set up by Harvard Business School Professor Georges Doriot with the goal of finding ways to commercialize the scientific and technical innovations that came out of World War II research projects. Digital's first products were Laboratory and Systems Modules, but in 1960 they came out with the first interactive computer, the PDP-1. Digital became the first and the largest manufacturer of minicomputers in the world.

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

Digital opened for business with three employees and 8,500 square feet of production space in this converted 19^th century woolen mill.

The company's first product is Laboratory Modules.

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

System Modules or "Digital Building Blocks" supplemented Laboratory Modules and were later incorporated into the PDP-1 computer. Many different types of system modules were developed and used for computers, memory testers, and other complex systems of logic.

General Georges Doriot (left) with Ken Olsen. General Doriot headed one of the first venture capital firms in America, American Research and Development (AR&D). To Digital, he was best known as the man who loaned Ken Olsen $70,000 in 1957 to start a new company.

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

Systems Modules or "Digital Building Blocks" were identical in circuitry, signal levels and speed range to Laboratory Modules but had a higher packing density and fixed backplane wiring. They were used for computers, memory testers and other complex systems of logic.

July
By the end of its first fiscal year, Digital sells $94,000 worth of Laboratory and Systems Modules and has 60 employees.

Here, Quality Control technicians test Laboratory and Systems Modules.

Ben Gurley worked at Lincoln Laboratory, and was the designer of the TX-0 cathode-ray tube display and light pen, which allowed the operator to interact directly with the program as it was running. Gurley left Lincoln Labs in 1959 to become one of Digital's first employees. There he designed the PDP-1, which incorporated many of the TX-0 architectural and circuit innovations.

The PDP-1, or Programmed Data Processor-1, was Digital's first 18-bit computer. Digital brought the prototype PDP-1 to demonstrate at the Joint Computer Conference in Boston in December of 1959. Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN), a computer consulting firm, was so impressed with the low-cost, interactive machine that they bought the prototype right off the floor. The PDP-1 featured short word length (18 bits) and high speed (5-microsecond cycle time), which made it attractive for laboratory and scientific control applications.

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

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

Spacewar!, developed in 1960 by Steve Russell, J.M. Graetz, and Wayne Wiitanen of MIT and played on a PDP-1, was an icon of interactive computing.

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

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

The monitor for the PDP-1 is a Type 30 point scope which measures 21"x17"x27" and weighs 120 pounds. A stylized version of the monitor became the icon for the Digital Equipment Computer Users Society (DECUS), which met for the first time in 1961. DECUS was founded on the idea of open exchange of information between user and manufacturer, and it evolved because engineers needed a forum to share information and computer programs for Digital's first computer.

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

Ken Olsen is pictured here unveiling the PDP-1 at BBN. The PDP-1 sale to BBN led to the development of shared computing time. The BBN timesharing system began operation in September of 1962.

July
Shipments begin of the PDP-4, Digital 's second 18-bit computer.

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

September
The PDP-1 operating system, the world's first timesharing system, is written by engineers at MIT and BBN for the PDP-1.

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

Gordon Bell begins design work on the architecture for
the PDP-5.

The 8000 series Modules are introduced.

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

Digital 's first 12-bit machine, the PDP-5, is announced.

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

Digital has 12 field service engineers who work together to cover a territory that includes the U.S. and installations in Germany and England.

Flip Chip modules are developed.

Flip Chip modules were built of discrete transistors, diodes, resistors and capacitors. The series was designed so that backplanes could be wire-wrapped automatically, reducing costs and increasing production line throughput. Flip Chips became the basis for the PDP-8.

July
The first European Customer Training Center opens in Reading, England.

October
Digital unveils its first 36-bit computer, the PDP-6.

Digital's first large computer, the PDP-6, was designed to be a powerful, timeshared machine oriented to scientific use. It was the first commercially available computer with manufacturer-provided software for general purpose applications. Ultimately, 26 PDP-6 systems were installed.

Tops 10 is developed as the major user software interface for Digital's 36-bit machines.

Tops 10 was developed from a 6-K word monitor for the PDP-6. It included user files and I/O device independence, a command control program and multiprocessing capabilities. Here an operator programs a PDP-6 using paper tape.

December
The PDP-7, Digital's third 18-bit computer, is introduced.

A successor to the PDP-4, the PDP-7 used smaller, more conventional system units and was well received in laboratory and data acquisition applications. The machine featured Digital's first mass storage-based operating system (DECsys for DECtape). Ultimately, 120 PDP-7s were produced and sold.

DECtape is introduced concurrent with the PDP-7.

DECtape was a random access, block addressable medium for storing information on small magnetic tape. For the first time, tape was divided into sectors so that it could be used as an I/O storage system that was both interactive and inexpensive.

December
Digital is issued its first patent, for magnetic core memory. The inventors are Ken Olsen and Dick Best.

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

The PDP-7A is introduced.

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

April
Introduction of the PDP-8, the world's first mass-produced minicomputer.

PDP-8 Specifications:
Word Length: 12 Bits
Speed: 1.5 microsecond cycle time
Primary memory: 4K 12-bit word core memory
Secondary memory: 32K maximum
Instruction set: 3-bit op code, 1 indirect bit; 8 bits of address
Input/Output: teletype (ASR-33) includes paper-tape reader and punch
Power: 780 watts
Price: $18,000

November
In what is believed to be the earliest example of around-the-world networking, a link is made by operating a PDP-6 in Perth, Australia from Boston via a telex link.

The PDP-6 was operated and programmed from Boston using a 12,000 mile, 5 hole telex code. It proved very difficult to generate a Control C in 5 hole code. At one point in the session, Robin Frith in Perth asks Alan Kotok in Massachusetts, "Do you think you could let us poor Aussies have a bit of core?" Pictured is Alan Kotok seated at a PDP-6 while Gordon Bell looks on.

August
The PDP-9, Digital 's fourth 18-bit computer system, ships.

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

The PDP-8/S is introduced as an economical alternative to the "classic" PDP-8.

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

The LINC-8 is introduced.

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

September - The PDP-10 debuts.

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

K series Flip Chip modules are introduced.

The new, noise-immune K series Flip Chip module line was used for control applications in industrial computers.

By 1975, Digital produced approximately 200 different types of K series modules.

The first generation of M series Flip Chip modules is introduced.

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

July
There are more than 50 sales and services offices in 11 countries all over the world.

August
The PDP-8/I is Digital 's third 12-bit computer system and the first to be implemented with integrated circuits.

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

EDUsystems are introduced.

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

The TYPESET-8, the pioneer of the "turnkey" computer system, is introduced.

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

March
The PDP-14 is delivered.

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

The PDP-12, successor to the LINC-8, is introduced.

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

The PDP-15, successor to the PDP-9 and 9/L, is introduced.

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

FOCAL version 1.0 is issued.

The name FOCAL stood for FOrmula CALculator and was the company's first registered international trademark. FOCAL was the only language that ran on every Digital computer at the time.

PDP-8/E, successor to the PDP-8/I, is introduced (shown here with contemporary footwear).

The PDP-8/E featured the OMNIBUS -- a patented synchronous bus that handles bi-directional communication between system elements. A single OMNIBUS contained enough slots to handle up to 32K words of core memory, or up to 10 peripheral controllers. Shortly after the introduction of the PDP-8/E, Digital installed its 10,000^th computer system.

Digital introduces the TU10 magnetic tape unit.

The TU10 DECmagtape unit was available in eight different models. Each model incorporated a transport mechanism, head assembly, read/write electronics, motor control circuits, power supply, and cabinet. Bit packing densities of 200, 556, and 800 bits per inch (bpi) were program selectable. A single capstan drove the tape in the forward or reverse direction at a speed of 45 inches per second (ips).

April
The PDP-11/20, the first of Digital's 16-bit family of machines, is delivered.

The PDP-11/20 was the first minicomputer to interface all system elements -- processor, memory and peripherals -- to a single, bi-directional, asynchronous bus. The UNIBUS enabled fast devices to send, receive or exchange data without intermediate buffering in memory. The PDP-11 became the world's most successful family of minicomputers.

Digital introduces three new peripherals: the LA30 DECwriter, the TU10 magnetic tape unit and the VT05 alphanumeric keyboard terminal.

The VT05 was the first video terminal manufactured by Digital .

MUMPS software for the PDP-15 is introduced.

MUMPS was developed as a general purpose data management language at Massachusetts General Hospital; it allowed up to twenty-two users to simultaneously access a database held on disk. MUMPS-15 systems were used extensively in such areas as hospital information and stock and warehouse control.

June
The first annual customer satisfaction survey is taken.

RSTS-11, a timesharing operating system for the PDP-11, is introduced.

RSTS-11, in use here at Boston Telephone in 1975, was the first general purpose small computer operating system with generalized device handling. RSTS-11 was particularly well suited to commercial applications because of its sophisticated file handling and protection capabilities.

The DECsystem-10 is introduced, marking a change in the marketing philosophy of the PDP-10 group.

The entire DECsystem-10 line used the same basic monitor system to give users unequaled expansion capability. The first DECsystem-10s, the 10/40 and 10/50, used the proven KA10 processor which was developed for the PDP-10 in 1967.

The PDP-11/45, the most powerful PDP-11 family member to date is introduced. The PDP-11 was featured in Garry Trudeau's Doonesbury comic strip.

The PDP-11/45 was an excellent computational tool for large multi-user, multi-task installations. Through memory management, memory could be expanded to 128K, which included a combination of bipolar and MOS memory. Other features included a greatly expanded floating point processor.

The RTM (PDP-16) is introduced.

The RTM (Register Transfer Module) began a new concept in small computers and digital controllers. Announced initially as the PDP-16, this series of printed circuit modules could be tailored to any application and made to operate with or without programs. In terms of cost, the RTM closed the gap between small logic modules and the smallest general purpose computer.

The PDP-16/M is introduced as the first "sub-minicomputer" developed by Digital.

The PDP-16/M combined the programmable capability of a minicomputer with the proven reliability of the PDP-16 controller (RTM). The machine incorporated a programmable read-only memory and a variety of options to make a versatile device for the OEM, educator and systems designer.

The PDP-11/40 is introduced.

The PDP-11/40 offered approximately twice the processing power of the earlier PDP-11/20. A floating point package was offered as an option, making the cost slightly lower than the 11/20.

Digital introduces the PDP-11/05 and PDP-11/10 as the first "inexpensive" PDP-11s.

The central processors for the PDP-11/05 and 11/10 were identical. The 11/05 was offered for the Original Equipment Manufacturer, while the 11/10 was designed for the end user. Both machines offered features not available on the earlier PDP-11/20, such as 4-level priority interrupt and multiple accumulators.

May
The KI10 processor is introduced for the DECsystem-10/70.

The KI10 processor was faster than its predecessor, the KA10, and was Digital's first 36-bit processor to incorporate integrated circuits. The lights on the KI10 were later used to represent a futuristic computer in George Lucas' landmark film, THX1138.

May

RSX-11D, a real-time operating system for online data acquisition, monitoring and control on the PDP-11, is introduced.

RSX-11D was aimed at the sophisticated end-user and included a real-time executive, on-line program development, complete device handling capabilities and total system protection. Typical applications were in the lab, industrial, computation and OEM markets.

July

RT-11, a real-time operating system for monitoring and control, is introduced.

RT-11 signaled Digital 's entrance into the low end of the real-time market. With its single-job monitor and F/B monitor, RT-11 was designed for the single user involved in program development and/or real-time applications, providing fast, simple, on-line access to any PDP-11 processor with at least 8K of memory and mass storage.

September

Digital develops DEC Data Communications Message Protocol (DDCMP) as a standard for its future computer-to-computer communications.

DDCMP, which was used to develop Digital 's Network Architecture (DECnet), was based on peer-to-peer communications where information is managed by members of the networks itself; communication is from processor to processor, rather than from processor to terminal.

April
MPS, Digital's first microprocessor, is introduced.

MPS represented Digital's first entry into LSI (Large Scale Integration) technology. MPS modules were designed to supply users with reliable, low-cost microprocessor systems that could be used in process control and data formatting or preprocessing applications.

RSX-11M, a real-time operating system for online control, is introduced for use on the PDP-11.

RSX-11M was a real-time, multi-programming, program-development system with a disk-based operating system supporting both synchronous and asynchronous communications hardware. RSX-11M concepts were precursors to those in the VMS operating system.

Digital announces the LA36 DECwriter II

The LA36 DECwriter II was the company's first commercially successful keyboard terminal and became the de facto market standard.

The KL10 processor is introduced in the DECsystem-10/80 and 10/90

Twice as fast as its predecessor, the KI10, and four times faster than the earlier KA10, the KL10 processor featured 386 microprogrammed instructions, emitter coupled logic (a state-of-the-art technology) and a 125 nanosecond access time cache or buffer memory. One of the more significant features of the KL10 was the Console Diagnostic Computer, which used a PDP-11/40 to perform those functions.

February
LSI-11, Digital's first 16-bit microcomputer, is introduced.

Directed toward OEMs and large volume end users, whose applications required the computer to be buried inside the final applications product, the LSI-11 was a complete computing system (CPU, memory and I/O) on one board.