LAN-ALOG Analogue Computer
YEAR: 1963
ITEM: Analog Computer
COMPANY: LAN-Electronics Ltd.
COUNTRY: England
IN OUR COLLECTION: Yes
Originally, the computer came with no documentation. However, we have an original owner's manual (see below).
The computer (see pictures) is composed of five separate units, see the "Images" section for photos. The units include [1] the main computing module (LAN-ALOG type LA 4) and which has six potentiometers, [2] a patchboard (LD-20)which doubles as the power supply, [3] a second patchboard (LD-15), [4] a Counter Unit (LD 80 C) and [5] a Relay Control Unit (RCU-5). We powered up the LD-20 unit, which contains the power supply, and the power light went on. The cables that supply power from unit to unit appear to have some kind of 5-pin DIN interfaces, like a misshaped "5" on a die.
We were surprised to find an old-fashioned (well, not old-fashioned for 1966) phone dial in the bottom right corner of each patchboard. We are not sure how that was used to enter data. See the "Images" section for closeups of the phone dials.
Strangely, some of the units have bottom plates, and some do not. The ones that do not have bottom plates we assume never did, because there are no screw holes to adhere them.
Another unusual feature is the size of the patch cord inputs. They are not the standard "banana plugs" of the era but are much smaller. Unfortunately, no patch cords came with this computer.
We are not sure when this computer was originally manufactured. We believe it to be in the early-1960's. We base that on the "LAN-ELEC Digital Educational Computer Handbook" (see below) which is dated Dec. 1963. The computer may have been produced even earlier. If you have any information on this computer, please contact us.
Related Items
Related Item 1: LAN-ALOG Analogue Computer HandbookRelated Item 2: LAN-ELEC Digital Educational Computer Handbook
Documents
Documents for this item have not yet been scanned or not yet posted. There are a lot of pages...contact us if you have an immediate need. (Although there are not a lot of "immediate needs" for a 70+ year old computer!)
Exceedingly Rare
Up until July 2014, we knew of no other examples of this mid-1960's analog computer. Our computer was manufactured in Slough, Bucks, England at LAN-Electronics, LTD. The serial number of the main computing unit is 067 so at least 66 others were made. If you have any information on this unusual computer, please contact us. In 2014, a partial unit was sold on Ebay in England, reported to a museum. The partial unit consists of the central LA-4 unit but has no power supply, patchboards relay control or counter. There are some slight differences between our two LA-4 units, such as the color of some switches and an alteration that replaces the RES.COM. receptacles with a meter. We have contacted the new owner and hope to hear from them soon.If you know the location of any other of these items, please let us know by contacting us at Director@TheComputerChurch.com .
OUR DEFINITIONS OF RARITY
One of a Kind: Only known existing item.
Exceedingly Rare: Only 2 to 10 known to exist.
Very Rare: Only 11 to 25 are known to exist.
Rare: Only 26 to 50 are known to exist.
Difficult: Difficult to find.
Available:Can be commonly be purchased.
Unknown: We cannot make a determination.
(For comparison: Many people consider the Apple-1 computer to be rare. As of 2025 there are 92 confirmed and probable Apple-1 computers.)
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