Sphere 1
YEAR: 1975
ITEM: Digital Computer
COMPANY: Sphere Corporation
COUNTRY: USA
IN OUR COLLECTION: Yes
The Sphere 1 was called the "the first 'true' personal computer" by Byte Magazine1 because it included the computing hardware, a keyboard with a number pad and a built-in monitor. Things are all things we take for granted now, but in 1975 you often had to buy them separately.
This particular computer was owned by Mike Wise, the founder of Sphere Computer. In fact, the back of this computer doesn't fit correctly...his wife said it was because "He never wanted to put the back on the computer because he was always tinkering with it".
Mike Wise said that about 1,300 Spheres were sold and about half of them were in kit form and half were assembled2. One ad for the computer in the July 1975 issue of Radio-Electronics magazine shows the price for a kit as $650. By January 1976 we see ads for the Sphere 1, in kit form, for $860. The fully assembled Sphere 1 computer was $1400. These ads also mention the Sphere 2, Sphere 3 and a Sphere 4 for $7995 (fully assembled). We are not sure if any of these models were sold. We believe the company closed in 1977.
The Sphere Corporation put out a newletter entitled, "Global News" and we have a copy of one below.
Much more to come...including interviews with those who knew Mike best.
1Byte Magazine date unknown. 2October 1999 speech at the Vintage Computer Fair (VCF) 3.0.
Sorry, no images have yet been entered. As we get more volunteers/interns we will be adding these images.
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!)
One Of A Kind
Other Sphere computers exist although they are rare. This particular Sphere computer is one of a kind because it belonged to the founder of Sphere Corporation, Mike Wise. I was told the top doesn't fit right because he never had the top on the computer...he was always making changes to it and trying out new things.David Larsen has a great collection in Virginia. He has managed to save two Sphere computers.
Scott Adams tells how he sold the Sphere he bought years ago to a collector in Florida.
The Computer History Museum has two Spheres...a System 320 and a System 330. Both look to be kits or, perhaps, have undergone some "modifications".
For more information, click on the link(s) below.
David Larsen's Sphere computers
Adam's story
Computer History Museum
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.)
We are still building. This feature will be ready by the end of December 2025.
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