Construction Plans and Foundational Works on “Simon,” the “First Personal Computer”: Includes: “Simple Simon. A small mechanical brain..." [together with] “World’s Smallest Electric Brain" [together with] Constructing Electric Brain [together with] “Construction Plans for Simon.”
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- Original Wraps
- New York, etc.: Various, 1952
New York, etc.: Various, 1952. First Editions; Second Edition for Instructions. Original Wraps. Good+ to Very Good+. First Editions; Second Edition for Instructions. Original Wraps. Construction Plans and Foundational Works on “Simon,” the “First Personal Computer” Edmund Berkeley’s “Simon” computer “has been called the first personal computer.” The following items include the fundamental materials that Berkeley used to explain Simon – and the rare plans and instructions sold to public hobbyists for building the machine.
• Berkeley, Edmund C. “Simple Simon. A small mechanical brain that possesses the same fundamental characteristics as its larger relatives can explain in rudimentary fashion how they work.” Scientific American, November 1950, pp. 40-43. Entire issue, slightly creased, otherwise near fine. Berkeley’s article ends on a prophetic note: “Some day we may even have small computers in our homes, drawing their energy from electric-power lines like refrigerators or radios. . . . They may recall facts for us that we would have trouble remembering. They may calculate accounts and income taxes. Schoolboys with homework may seek their help. . . . We may find the future full of mechanical brains working about us.” (p. 42).
• Berkeley, Edmund C. & Robert A. Jensen, “World’s Smallest Electric Brain. Part I of a series of articles outlining principles and describing construction of electric and electronic computing devices.” Radio-Electronics, October 1950, pp. 29-30. Entire issue, spine somewhat worn, otherwise near fine. This is the first in a series of thirteen articles collected in the following publication.
• Berkeley, Edmund C. & Robert A. Jensen, “Constructing Electric Brain.” Series of Thirteen Articles from Radio Electronics, October 1950-October 1951. New York: Edmund C. Berkeley and Associates, 2nd ed., March 1952. [OOC 467.] With addenda page 32A inserted. Small stain on lower right and owner’s stamp on cover, otherwise near fine in original grey wraps. The first seven articles, pp. 1-21, describe the construction and working of Simon. The remaining six, pp. 22-36, provide general information on “Electric Brains,” including “SEAC, the 800-tube Thinking Machine” (article 13).
• Berkeley, Edmund C. & Robert A. Jensen, “Construction Plans for Simon.” New York: Edmund C. Berkeley and Associates, 2nd ed., March 1952, 2nd printing, October 1952. (Not in OOC.) Original reproduced typescript [mimeo], owner’s stamp on cover, staple rusting, first and final page detached, tear in left margin of first few pages, but all pages present and in good condition. This paper is extremely rare. None shown for sale online. WCAT shows 21 copies in libraries, but upon review, almost all of these are either missing or links to the eBook version online from the University of Michigan. The Michigan copy is also 2nd edition, March 1952, 2nd printing, October 1952. The only other likely originals are at NY Public Library and Berkeley, both shown as 2nd editions, 1952, without printing information. Light shelf/edge wear to the two magazines; light shelf/edge wear, small stain, and ownership stamp to Const. Human Brains; front and last two leaves free at corner staple (but present), light even toning, small closed tear at left edge involving first 3 leaves, ownership stamp at front, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Original b/w or glossy color wraps. 4to. Var. pag. Illus. (color and b/w plates.
• Berkeley, Edmund C. “Simple Simon. A small mechanical brain that possesses the same fundamental characteristics as its larger relatives can explain in rudimentary fashion how they work.” Scientific American, November 1950, pp. 40-43. Entire issue, slightly creased, otherwise near fine. Berkeley’s article ends on a prophetic note: “Some day we may even have small computers in our homes, drawing their energy from electric-power lines like refrigerators or radios. . . . They may recall facts for us that we would have trouble remembering. They may calculate accounts and income taxes. Schoolboys with homework may seek their help. . . . We may find the future full of mechanical brains working about us.” (p. 42).
• Berkeley, Edmund C. & Robert A. Jensen, “World’s Smallest Electric Brain. Part I of a series of articles outlining principles and describing construction of electric and electronic computing devices.” Radio-Electronics, October 1950, pp. 29-30. Entire issue, spine somewhat worn, otherwise near fine. This is the first in a series of thirteen articles collected in the following publication.
• Berkeley, Edmund C. & Robert A. Jensen, “Constructing Electric Brain.” Series of Thirteen Articles from Radio Electronics, October 1950-October 1951. New York: Edmund C. Berkeley and Associates, 2nd ed., March 1952. [OOC 467.] With addenda page 32A inserted. Small stain on lower right and owner’s stamp on cover, otherwise near fine in original grey wraps. The first seven articles, pp. 1-21, describe the construction and working of Simon. The remaining six, pp. 22-36, provide general information on “Electric Brains,” including “SEAC, the 800-tube Thinking Machine” (article 13).
• Berkeley, Edmund C. & Robert A. Jensen, “Construction Plans for Simon.” New York: Edmund C. Berkeley and Associates, 2nd ed., March 1952, 2nd printing, October 1952. (Not in OOC.) Original reproduced typescript [mimeo], owner’s stamp on cover, staple rusting, first and final page detached, tear in left margin of first few pages, but all pages present and in good condition. This paper is extremely rare. None shown for sale online. WCAT shows 21 copies in libraries, but upon review, almost all of these are either missing or links to the eBook version online from the University of Michigan. The Michigan copy is also 2nd edition, March 1952, 2nd printing, October 1952. The only other likely originals are at NY Public Library and Berkeley, both shown as 2nd editions, 1952, without printing information. Light shelf/edge wear to the two magazines; light shelf/edge wear, small stain, and ownership stamp to Const. Human Brains; front and last two leaves free at corner staple (but present), light even toning, small closed tear at left edge involving first 3 leaves, ownership stamp at front, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Original b/w or glossy color wraps. 4to. Var. pag. Illus. (color and b/w plates.