Pssst, this would be the most outstanding factor you see immediately. A German Redditor (c wizz) made the invention of their lifetime after they stumbled upon an extremely uncommon LGP-30 pc of their grandfather’s basement. So uncommon that there have been solely ever 45 manufactured in Europe.
The Unique Poster (OP) additionally discovered a number of DEC PDP-8/e computer systems and a Flexowriter typewriter-style console. Many Redditors weighed in on the OP’s discovery. This is what the OP and spectators needed to say.
The LGP-30
“Your grandpa is cooler than my grandpa.” Somebody mentioned what many people have been considering, “I ponder what number of customers of this classic pc sub ever noticed an LGP-30 within the wild. For me, it is positive a primary.” One other shared, “Wonderful discover. Essentially the most classic computing I’ve seen on this sub. I did not know concerning the LGP-30, so this has been academic.”
“First made in 1956 – I did not notice computer systems may very well be so compact then. That LGP-30 is an outrageous discover. It seems just like the terminal is a rebadged Friden Flexowriter. And the Paper tape unit is embedded within the high of that cupboard, most likely additionally Friden?” A 3rd consumer eagerly requested.
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LGP-30 Restoration
One other confirmed, “Now that may be a sight I’ve not seen since I used to be 14. I programmed the LGP-30 utilizing machine language punched into paper tape utilizing the 5-bit code of the connected Friden Flexowriter!!!! 1964 it was. Let me warn you.”
“Don’t energy up the LGP-30 till you’re 100% sure the reminiscence drum, motor, and heads are in good situation, and all the pieces is at room temperature. The clearance between the drum and the learn/write heads was very small. Any temperature distinction or a doable misalignment after a long time of storage will trigger the drum to be stripped.”
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LGP-30 Appreciation
“The management panel modifications to the LGP-30 are intriguing,” shared one. “The change beneath the CRT and the small group of six buttons weren’t a part of the unique design. It might be attention-grabbing to see the wiring. These computer systems continued to be offered and leased nicely into the early 60s after they have been out of date. By that time, they have been (comparatively) cheap.”
“My LGP-30 was used for Civil Engineering work. The panels present varied handwritten serial numbers on the inside, together with elements from a NASA set up.”
LGP-30 Lengthy-Time period Restoration
One Redditor volunteered, “Proprietor of an LGP-30 right here, present process long-term restoration. One factor to be very cautious of is the drum. The spacing between the heads and the oxide floor is extraordinarily tight, and with age, the heads could make contact resulting from enlargement. If the drum turns in any respect on this situation, you are SOL.”
“My most well-liked methodology earlier than shifting the machine was to chop the v-belt and extract the drum. Then very fastidiously, area all head mounting bars off the floor with washers. Solely then did I dial all of them in individually utilizing brass shim inventory. It’s advisable to undergo the huge energy provide earlier than power-up. The EU model is a distinct design than the US spec.”
LGP-30 Preservation
“That LGP-30 ought to be given to a museum that may take excellent care of it and possibly restore it to working situation. It seems full, even with the paper tape learn/author. These PDP-8s may very well be good for some retro computing fanatic movies,” one mentioned. Many agreed with the sentiment of the LGP-30 going to a museum. One even joked by quoting Indiana Jones, “It belongs in a museum!”
The OP agreed, “It could actually be superior if somebody might get this factor operational once more! I discovered a museum in Germany (the place I am from) that has a working LGP-30. I feel I will attain out to them.” After talking with the OP, they need to discover somebody to assist get this LGP-30 useful once more.
PDP-8e Computer systems
“What’s higher than discovering a PDP-8e within the basement? Discovering two PDP-8es within the basement!” One individual exclaimed. Whereas the consensus was this was one of many uncommon cases when the PDP-8e was the least spectacular a part of the discover. Somebody added, “Wow, you are sitting on a goldmine. These 8E’s can fetch 4 figures of your native western forex.”
Closing Ideas and Hacker Folklore
The OP knowledgeable, “The one factor I do know is that my grandfather used it for civil engineering calculations within the 60s. And he was certainly one of solely a handful within the nation that privately owned such a pc. Additionally, I discovered a binder with documentation on the ACT-III compiler and reminiscence format. And there are some directions on transferring code written for the LGP-30 to the PDP8E.”
Once more, the OP is in search of assist with making the LGP-30 useful. The LGP-30 value round USD 47,000 in 1955, adjusted for immediately’s costs, is $520,521.49. An improve of $473,521.49 over 67 years.
Lastly, somebody introduced, “I am unable to imagine no person’s shared the Story of Mel but! He programmed the LGP-30.” The Story of Mel is an archetypical hacker piece of pc programming folklore written by Ed Nather. It is about Nather’s colleague, Librascope programmer Melvin Kaye.
Kaye was assigned to port a Blackjack program from the LGP-30 to the newer Royal McBee system, the RPC-4000. Later, Ed Nather was tasked with discovering a bug in mentioned software program. That is when he found Kaye used self-modifying code to course of components of an array and had coded an infinite loop to benefit from the overflow.
We hope you loved this Reddit dialogue about this historic discover in grandpa’s basement.
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