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 YEAR: 1963
 ITEM: Analog Computer
 COMPANY: Pastoriza Electronics
 COUNTRY: USA
 IN OUR COLLECTION: Yes
RARITY: Exceedingly Rare   Click here for further information on our rarity scale Information on the rarity of this item is unknown.

Pastoriza Personal Analog Computer

A view of the vintage Pastoriza Personal Analog Computer an important part of computer history
The idea of a personal computer in 1963 is enchanting (and way ahead of its time)! The Pastoriza Personal Analog computer was designed to be used by students at the Case Institute of Technology (which later merged with Western Reserve University in 1967 to form Case Western Reserve University). These computers were issued to 200 students in late 1962 or early 1963 by the school for use in their linear systems course. The students were part of a study to compare students who used slide rules with those who had their own analog computer.1 The computer was designed by Dr. James Reswick, who was then Head of the Case Engineering Design Center, James Pastoriza (who manufactured them and for whom they were named) and George Philbrick who was already well known as one of the founders of the analog computer systems.

The computer was battery powered and built into a small case so that it was easily portable. They consisted of several modular units that could be configured however the student wanted. The control unit was marked on the back as serial #127. Several of the smaller units had the same number on the back and were part of that original set.

Pastoriza Research, who manufactured this computer, was bought out by Analog Devices, Inc. in 1969. Analog Devices is one of the leaders in the field of analog/digital conversion. Their website, www.analog.com, mentions the purchase of Pastoriza Research.

There is very little information on this computer. We know of only two other Pastoriza computers (see Rarity section to the left) and we are currently confirming at least one more complete unit. We are dating this computer based on the single article we have found...it may be one or two years earlier. If you have any information, please contact us.

1. Popular Electronics. March 1963. Vol. 18 Number 3.


Viewer Stories & Comments
   Dale Luck     Campbell, United States     October 24, 2020

       Subject: Pastoriza Personal Analog Computer serial numbers Hi, I have three of these, of which only one is complete since there is only one Adder unit. I see serial numbers that are up to 241. So it is possible that that many were produced. I am in the process of fixing them to make them functional. Caps will need to be replaced, a different way to power them since the form factor of the batteries they used no longer is made. Contacts need to be cleaned, and more jumper wires need to be obtained. I am loosely affiliated with the Computer History Museum out here in SFBA. If they don't already have one of these I plan on donating one to them. If you know of any spare Pastoriza parts I can procure to help me make another one of these complete please let me know I may make a reproduction Adder unit if I can[t find any originals. I already have an Heathkit EC-1 which I restored to working condition, and am getting an EAI TR-20 to restore sometime this year. Hope all is well with you all. dale luck By the way, info@earlycomputers.com doesn't work!






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IMAGES
Click on any of the images below to see the slideshow.
Closeup of inside of the case. Front of case. Picture of three integraters. Closeup of an integrater. Picture of three adders. Close-up of an adder Picture of two multipliers Close-up of a multiplier Serial Number 127 Back of pieces Additional item called Cinch Back of Cinch Front of Cinch piece Inside of Control Unit Bottom half inside of the Control Unit Top half inside of the Control Unit Two integrators with cords Side view of integrators with cords Multiplier with cord Side view of multiplier with cord Precise signal source or coefficient multiplier