computing toy, Digicomp I
Date: circa 1965
Inventory Number: 1998-1-1603
Classification: Toy
Subject:
Maker: E.S.R., Inc. (founded 1963)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
11.7 × 33 × 9.8 cm (4 5/8 × 13 × 3 7/8 in.)
DescriptionThe toy is mounted on top of a rectangular white plastic base and in between two red plastic end-pieces. Lodged in between the two end pieces are, from bottom to top, three white plastic levels, three red plastic levels, and three white plastic levels.
Each red level consists of two tracks with sets of two prongs emerging from the sides. The toy is accompanied by white plastic tubes that fit over the prongs. Users placed the tubes over one, both, or none of the sets of prongs to program the toy. There are metal poles through the bottom two white levels and the second two white levels from the top. Users pull the bottom-most white level back and forth, which in turn moves the poles, which in turn moves the red levels back and form. There is a column of numeral display windows in one of the side red end-pieces, one aligning with each red level. The numeral windows can display either 1 or 0 such that the column displays a bit string of 1s and 0s at any moment.
A video of the Digicomp 1 in action is available here and a digital emulator of the toy is available here.
Each red level consists of two tracks with sets of two prongs emerging from the sides. The toy is accompanied by white plastic tubes that fit over the prongs. Users placed the tubes over one, both, or none of the sets of prongs to program the toy. There are metal poles through the bottom two white levels and the second two white levels from the top. Users pull the bottom-most white level back and forth, which in turn moves the poles, which in turn moves the red levels back and form. There is a column of numeral display windows in one of the side red end-pieces, one aligning with each red level. The numeral windows can display either 1 or 0 such that the column displays a bit string of 1s and 0s at any moment.
A video of the Digicomp 1 in action is available here and a digital emulator of the toy is available here.
In Collection(s)
Signedembossed on red side frame: DIGICOMP / 1 / ESR
FunctionThe Digicomp 1 is a mechanical analog of electronic computers. It can solve puzzles, perform arithmetic operations, and play certain games in binary. Users can program the toy to perform specific operations by placing the white plastic tubes in particular configurations. The toy is operated by pulling and pushing the bottom plastic level in and out and watching the resulting bit strings appear in the side numeral windows.
David Pasternack, a Harvard specialist in media services, provided the following information: The Digicomp 1 was a child's learning toy that performed simple mathematical problems in binary. The white plastic tubes could be used to program it and there is also a True/False possibility. There were two companion toys, THINK A DOT and DOTOR NIM.
The toy was designed to demonstrate binary computations and to make digital processes visible and accessible to young people.
A discussion of the Digicomp I, its manufacture, functioning, and history is available here.
David Pasternack, a Harvard specialist in media services, provided the following information: The Digicomp 1 was a child's learning toy that performed simple mathematical problems in binary. The white plastic tubes could be used to program it and there is also a True/False possibility. There were two companion toys, THINK A DOT and DOTOR NIM.
The toy was designed to demonstrate binary computations and to make digital processes visible and accessible to young people.
A discussion of the Digicomp I, its manufacture, functioning, and history is available here.
Curatorial RemarksOnly one spring remains, the rest are missing.