Stack Exchange entry which suggests it goes back to the 1950's. http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/10386/why-motherboard-is-used-to-refer-to-main-board-of-computer
On Sun, Feb 28, 2016 at 7:32 PM, Jules Richardson < [email protected]> wrote: > > Does anyone know the origins of the term 'motherboard'? > > I've always associated it with computers and assumed that it started > appearing somewhere around 1980, with the fading out of passive backplane > systems and arrival of machines which put more functionality onto a 'core' > PCB into which other cards were plugged. I don't recall ever seeing it used > when referencing earlier big iron, but maybe I've just missed it. > > I had the case lid off a Fluke digital multimeter which hails from 1972 > earlier, and was surprised to see it written as part of a warning there > ("ensure that all cards are securely plugged into the motherboard before > applying power", or similar - unfortunately I didn't grab a photo at the > time). > > cheers > > Jules >
