We also have a LGP-30 on display at the Computer History Museum.
Marc

> On Aug 15, 2024, at 4:49 PM, Rick Bensene via cctalk <[email protected]> 
> wrote:
> 
> Mark L. wrote concerning the LGP-30 computer in the LCM+L/Paul Allen 
> Auctions:
> 
> 
>> I dare to bet it's the last one.  Anywhere.
> 
> 
> 
> It isn't the last one by any means.  There are a few of these machines still 
> around. Here are links to a few that are in collections:
> 
> 
> 
> https://www.technikum29.de/en/computer/lgp30.php
> 
> https://t-lcarchive.org/lgp-30/
> 
> http://computermuseum.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/dev_en/lgp30/lgp30.html 
> (was known operational in 2007)
> 
> https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/11/redditor-discovers-legendary-1956-computer-in-grandparents-basement/
>    (Found in 2022)
> 
> 
> 
> The LGP-30 was designed by Nuclear Physicist and Manhattan Project Team 
> Member Stanley Frankel, who also designed
> 
> a number of electronic calculators, including the SCM Cogito 240/240SR and 
> the Diehl Combitron.
> 
> 
> 
> An amazing thing about the LGP-30 is its relative simplicity(compared to 
> contemporaries of the time), relying heavily on the aspects of its magnetic 
> drum-based memory to hold the working registers as well as program storage 
> for the machine.   This means that the machine has very few flip-flops 
> (requiring vacuum tubes), and uses a large number of inexpensive 
> semiconductor diode logic gates for data routing and control functions.
> 
> 
> 
> They weren't fast by any means, but were inexpensive and reliable, and 
> required no special power or cooling, making them very popular in a wide 
> variety of settings, from military to business.  Quite a large number of them 
> were made, and fortunately, some have survived to this day.  I don't know if 
> any of the machines that still exist are actually in running condition today, 
> but there were a few of them that were known to be running in the decade of 
> 2000.
> 
> 
> 
> Rick Bensene
> 
> The Old Calculator Museum
> 
> https://oldcalcultaormuseum.com
> 
> Beavercreek, Oregon   USA

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