Remarkable MITS Altair 8800 computer system set, consisting of two Altair 8800 computers (serial nos. 220128 and 220765K), both complete with white ceramic and gold Intel 8080 CPUs (marked "C8080 N1601" and "C8080A R7004"). Both rear panels retain the affixed MITS, Inc. 'Creative Electronics' serial number labels, and have been modified with custom "Boot" switches. The iconic front panels are complete with 25 toggle switches, 36 lighted indicators, and "MITS Altair 8800" badges at the bottom; the lettering on one panel is significantly worn. Modified to be daisy-chained together with a ribbon cable, the system is untested and in very good to fine cosmetic condition; the internals are very dusty and should be thoroughly cleaned before testing.
Additionally includes two scarce MITS Altair Disk 8˝ floppy drives with variant faceplates, one retaining its serial number label on the rear (Serial No. DD3179), plus a wealth of original documentation and Altair-related materials, including assorted paperwork, manuals, invoices, and other documents, highlighted by the sought-after January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics (addressed to Everson) picturing the Altair 8800 microcomputer, with lead article text reading: “Project Breakthrough! World’s First Minicomputer Kit to Rival Commercial Models…‘ALTAIR 8800,’ Save over $1000.” The related article by H. Edward Roberts and Williams Yates, entitled “ALTAIR 8800 MINICOMPUTER, PART I, The most powerful minicomputer project ever presented—for under $400,” runs from page 33 to page 38 and contains comprehensive technical information on the Altair 8800, including figures, a parts list, and the machine’s various applications.
Other documentation of note includes a handwritten document, dated December 17, 1975, headed: "BASIC Version 3.0, Bill Gates"; correspondence between Everson and MITS, Inc.; MITS Altair 8800 brochures and peripheral technical information sheets; MITS software license agreement and warranty registration card; and a multitude of purchase order and service ticket documentation.
Manuals include: two "Altair Computer System Documentation" binders containing an Altair 8800 Operator's Manual, Altair 8800 Assembly Manual, and documentation detailing the Altair 88-PMC PROM Memory Card, 88-2 Serial Input/Output Board; Altair 88-DCDD Floppy Fisk Documentation; Processor Technology 5K BASIC Manual; Altair 8800 BASIC Reference Manual (Version 4.1); Intel 8080 Assembly Language Programming Manual; Comptek CL2400 Real Time Clock Reference Manual; and others.
Often credited with igniting the 'microcomputer revolution,' the Altair 8800 was the first commercially successful personal computer. Interest in it grew after it was featured on the cover of the 1975 issue of Popular Electronics, and it was sold by mail order as both a hobbyist kit and as a fully assembled unit. When Bill Gates and Paul Allen read about the Altair in Popular Electronics, they saw the opportunity to start their own computer software company and developed Altair BASIC—the very first product created by 'Micro-Soft.'
From the Jack Everson Collection.
