Edson de Castro (left) and team with Data General Nova, c. 1970
Credit: Data General

Minicomputers

Minicomputers were introduced in the mid-1960s and ushered in a new era of computing. Their low cost and small size allowed more people to have access to computers and created many new applications in academia, industry, and commerce. Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) developed the first mass-produced minicomputer—the PDP-8--in 1965 and reshaped the computer industry by selling over 40,000 of them. The term ‘minicomputer’ was suggested by John Leng, head of DEC’s UK operations: “Here is the latest minicomputer activity in the land of miniskirts as I drive around in my Mini Minor.” Eventually over 200 companies were producing minicomputers, though few survived for more than a few years.