CT-82 microcomputer, 1978-1980s

Item — Object: MEM 7-XXA

Identifier: Mem_inv_0010

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The CT-82 microcomputer was probably used in the library between 1973 and the 1980s for data processing and database management systems, such as catalogs.

Dates

Usage: 1978-1980s

Extent

1 Object

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Physical Location

Cat 5-6 A-3

Physical Description

White and light blue microcomputer with an integrated black keyboard and screen.

Dimensions

18 (depth) x 18 (width) x 10 (height) inches

General

In the workplace microcomputers were used for data and word processing, electronic spreadsheets, communications and database management. The CT-82 Microcomputer, made by the Southwest Technical Products Corporation (SWTPC), was one of the first terminals with a controller and microprocessor that functioned via software instead of hardware. The CT-82 had one hundred twenty-eight separate functions, all of which were software driven.

The normal screen format was 16 lines with 82 characters per line. The characters were displayed on a Motorola Data Products M-2000 series monitor with a green P-31 phosphor. The CT-82 had its own internal editing function. This allowed inserting and deleting lines and characters, erasing quadrants or lines; doing rolls, scrolls, slides and other similar functions. This microcomputer could block transmit complete material to the computer, or output material to its own remote printer through the built-in parallel printer I/O port.