List of early third generation computers explained

This list of early third generation computers, tabulates those computers using monolithic integrated circuits (ICs) as their primary logic elements, starting from small-scale integration CPUs (SSI) to large-scale integration CPUs (LSI). Computers primarily using ICs first came into use about 1961 for military use. With the availability of reliable low cost ICs in the mid 1960s commercial third generation computers using ICs started to appear.

The fourth generation computers began with the shipment of CPS-1, the first commercial microprocessor microcomputer in 1972 and for the purposes of this list marks the end of the "early" third generation computer era. Note that third generation computers were offered well into the 1990s.

The list is organized by delivery year to customers or production/operational date. In some cases only the first computer from any one manufacturer is listed. Computers announced, but never completed, are not included. Computers without documented manual input (keyboard/typewriter/control unit) are also not included.

Aerospace and military computers (1961-1971)

1961

• Semiconductor Network Computer (Molecular Electronic Computer, Mol-E-Com),^{[1] [2] [3]} first monolithic integrated circuit^{[4] [5] [6]} general purpose computer (built for demonstration purposes, programmed to simulate a desk calculator) was built by Texas Instruments for the US Air Force.^{[7] [8] [9]}

1962

• Martin MARTAC 420^{[10] [11] [12] [13] [14]} (Fairchild Micrologic^{[15] [16]})
• AC Spark Plug MAGIC^{[17] [18] [19]} (Fairchild Micrologic)
• Librascope L-90 series (silicon planar epitaxial semiconductor IC)^{[20] [21] [22] [23]}

1963

• UNIVAC 1824^{[24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]}
• Autonetics D37 (Solid Circuit, Texas Instruments^{[31] [32]})

1965

• Apollo Guidance Computer First installation^{[33] [34]}
• Burroughs D84
• Litton L-304 - TTL IC
• Honeywell ALERT - HLTTL IC^{[35] [36]}
• Autonetics D26 - DTL IC^[37]

1967

• • Ballistic Research Laboratories Electronic Scientific Computer Model II (BRLESC II) CDC 449
• CP-823/U

1970

• AN/UYK-7
• Rolm 1601 (AN/UYK-12(V)), Feb 1970

1971

• AN/GYK-12 Militarized version of Litton L-3050

Commercial computers (1965-1971)

This table of commercial 3rd generation computers has been constructed by merging of several lists of computers offered from February 1965, the date of the shipment of the first commercial 3rd generation computer, thru 1971 inclusive and then finding reliable sources as to the generation of the models listed and the associated dates.

Date	Manufacturer	Model	Comment
data-sort-value="6502"	Feb 1965	Scientific Data Systems		First commercial 3rd generation computer
data-sort-value="6504"	Sep 1965	Systems Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
data-sort-value="6510"	Oct 1965	ASI Computer Division of Electro-Mechanical Research, Inc.	ASI 6070
data-sort-value="6511"	Nov 1965	Systems Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
data-sort-value="6512"	Dec 1965	Honeywell Information Systems
data-sort-value="6601"	Jan 1966	Computer Control Company
data-sort-value="6601"	Jan 1966	Honeywell Information Systems
data-sort-value="6602"	Feb 1966	ASI Computer Division of Electro-Mechanical Research, Inc.	ASI 6050
data-sort-value="6602"	Feb 1966	Honeywell Information Systems	120
data-sort-value="6606"	Jun 1966	Honeywell Information Systems	DDP 516
data-sort-value="6607"	Jul 1966	RCA
data-sort-value="6608"	Aug 1966	Systems Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
data-sort-value="6611"	Nov 1966	Ferranti
data-sort-value="6611"	Nov 1966	Hewlett-Packard, Co.
data-sort-value="6612"	Dec 1966	Business Information Technology	BIT 480
data-sort-value="6612"	Dec 1966	Scientific Data Systems
data-sort-value="6701"	Jan 1967	Scientific Data Systems
data-sort-value="6702"	Feb 1967	General Electric
data-sort-value="6703"	Mar 1967	Interdata, Inc.
data-sort-value="6704"	Apr 1967	Electronic Associates, Inc.	EAI 640
data-sort-value="6705"	May 1967	Honeywell Information Systems
data-sort-value="6705"	May 1967	Standard Computer Corporation	IC6000
data-sort-value="6706"	Jun 1967	Univac
data-sort-value="6706"	Jun 1967	Varian Data Machines
data-sort-value="6708"	Aug 1967	Burroughs	B2500/3500
data-sort-value="6708"	Aug 1967	Xerox Data Systems
data-sort-value="6709"	Sep 1967	Elbit Computers, Ltd.	100
data-sort-value="6710"	Oct 1967	Marconi	Myriad II	Uses DTL
data-sort-value="6710"	Oct 1967	ASI Computer Division of Electro-Mechanical Research, Inc.	ASI 6130
data-sort-value="6710"	Oct 1967	Digiac Corporation	3080C
data-sort-value="6710"	Oct 1967	Raytheon Computer	703
data-sort-value="6712"	Dec 1967	Honeywell Information Systems	125
data-sort-value="6801"	Jan 1968	Systems Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
data-sort-value="6801"	Jan 1968	General Automation, Inc.
data-sort-value="6804"	Apr 1968	Computer Automation, Inc.		Uses DTL circuits
data-sort-value="6804"	Apr 1968	Digital Equipment Corp.	PDP-8/I
data-sort-value="6804"	Apr 1968	Hewlett-Packard, Co.
data-sort-value="680433"	c. Apr 1968	Spear		Uses MECL
data-sort-value="6805"	May 1968	Texas Instruments, Inc	980
data-sort-value="6806"	Jun 1968	Honeywell Information Systems	1648
data-sort-value="6807"	Jul 1968	Hewlett-Packard, Co.
data-sort-value="6807"	Jul 1968	Redcor Corporation	RC-70
data-sort-value="6808"	Aug 1968	Honeywell Information Systems
data-sort-value="6809"	Sep 1968	Honeywell Information Systems	110
data-sort-value="6809"	Sep 1968	National Cash Register
data-sort-value="6809"	Sep 1968	Standard Computer Corporation	IC4000
data-sort-value="6809"	Sep 1968	Systems Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
data-sort-value="6810"	Oct 1968	Digital Equipment Corp.	PDP-8/L
data-sort-value="6810"	Oct 1968	Hewlett-Packard, Co.
data-sort-value="6810"	Oct 1968	Varian Data Machines
data-sort-value="6811"	Nov 1968	General Automation, Inc.
data-sort-value="6811"	Nov 1968	RCA
data-sort-value="6812"	Dec 1968	Bailey Meter	855
data-sort-value="6812"	Dec 1968	Computer Automation, Inc.		Used TTL for logic
data-sort-value="6812"	Dec 1968	Honeywell Information Systems	DDP 416
data-sort-value="6812"	Dec 1968	Honeywell Information Systems	H632
data-sort-value="6812"	Dec 1968	Micro Systems, Inc	Micro 800/810	TTL MSI, Core Memory, Microprogrammed
data-sort-value="681233"	1968	Fujitsu, Ltd.
data-sort-value="6902"	Feb 1969	Data General
data-sort-value="6902"	Feb 1969	Honeywell Information Systems
data-sort-value="6903"	Mar 1969	Fujitsu, Ltd.	FACOM-R
data-sort-value="6903"	Mar 1969	Lockheed Electronics
data-sort-value="6903"	Mar 1969	Raytheon Computer	706
data-sort-value="6904"	Apr 1969	Burroughs	B8500
data-sort-value="6904"	Apr 1969	Philips Electrologica Limited	P350 series
data-sort-value="6904"	Apr 1969	Scientific Control Corporation	SCC 4700
data-sort-value="6905"	May 1969	Datacraft Corporation	DC-6024/1
data-sort-value="6905"	May 1969	Univac
data-sort-value="6906"	Jun 1969	National Cash Register	Century 200
data-sort-value="6906"	Jun 1969	Honeywell Information Systems	H316
data-sort-value="6906"	Jun 1969	Standard Computer Corporation	IC7000
data-sort-value="6907"	Jul 1969	Burroughs	B6500
data-sort-value="6908"	Aug 1969	Westinghouse Electric	2500
data-sort-value="6909"	Sep 1969	Tempo Computers, Inc.	1/1-A
data-sort-value="6911"	Nov 1969	Hewlett-Packard, Co.
data-sort-value="6912"	Dec 1969	IBM
data-sort-value="6912"	Dec 1969	Xerox Data Systems
data-sort-value="691233"	1969	International Computers and Tabulators
data-sort-value="7001"	Jan 1970	Business Information Technology	BIT 483
data-sort-value="7001"	Jan 1970	GRI Computer Corp.	GRI 909
data-sort-value="7001"	Jan 1970	IBM
data-sort-value="7002"	Feb 1970	Digital Equipment Corp.	PDP-15
data-sort-value="7002"	Feb 1970	Honeywell Information Systems
data-sort-value="7002"	Feb 1970	Datacraft Corporation	DC-6024/3
data-sort-value="7002"	Feb 1970
data-sort-value="700228"	Early 1970	U. of Illinois
data-sort-value="7003"	Mar 1970	Digital Scientific Corp.	META 4
data-sort-value="7004"	Apr 1970	Digital Equipment Corp.	PDP-11/20
data-sort-value="7004"	Apr 1970	Raytheon Computer	704
data-sort-value="7004"	Apr 1970	Viatron Computer Systems Corp.	Viatron 2140 & 2150
data-sort-value="7005"	May 1970	Data General
data-sort-value="7005"	May 1970	General Automation, Inc.
data-sort-value="7006"	Jun 1970	Texas Instruments, Inc	960
data-sort-value="7007"	Jul 1970	Unicomp, Inc.	COMP-16
data-sort-value="7008"	Aug 1970	Digital Computer Controls, Inc	DCC-112
data-sort-value="7009"	Sep 1970	RCA
data-sort-value="7009"	Sep 1970	Wang Laboratories, Inc.
data-sort-value="7009"	Sep 1970	Philips Business Systems, Inc.	P850/855/860
data-sort-value="701015"	Fall 1970	Datamate Computer Systems, Inc.	70
data-sort-value="701032"	before Nov 1970	GRI Computer Corporation	99
data-sort-value="701032"	before Nov 1970	Varisystems Corporation	PAC-16/2
data-sort-value="7012"	Dec 1970	Modular Computer Systems, Inc	III
data-sort-value="701233"	1970	Fujitsu, Ltd.
data-sort-value="701233"	1970	Unicomp, Inc.	COMP-18
data-sort-value="7101"	Jan 1971	IBM
data-sort-value="7102"	Feb 1971	RCA
data-sort-value="7103"	Mar 1971	Digital Equipment Corp.	PDP-8/E
data-sort-value="7103"	Mar 1971	General Electric
data-sort-value="7104"	Apr 1971	Data General Corp.
data-sort-value="7104"	Apr 1971	IBM
data-sort-value="7106"	Jun 1971	IBM
data-sort-value="7112"	Dec 1971	Data General Corp.
data-sort-value="711233"	1971	Fujitsu, Ltd.

See also

• List of early microcomputers

References

Works cited

• Baechler. D. O.. Jun 22, 1967. Table 2 – Characteristics of Aerospace Computers. State-of-the-Art of Aerospace Digital Computers, 1962-1967. 24. NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS). Alt URL
• Baechler. D. O.. Jan 14, 1969. Table 1 – Characteristics of Aerospace Computers. Aerospace Digital Computer Design Trends – Case 103. NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS).

Further reading

• Liviakis . G. . A survey of spaceborne computers Technical advisement memorandum no. 171-1 . Jun 1966 .

Notes and References

1. 1961 Pictorial Report on the Computer Field . Journal of Computers and Automation . December 1961 . 10 . 12 . 85 . Berkeley Enterprises Inc. . Newtonville, Massachusetts .
2. Science in Overseas Industry . . 1961-11-09 . 12 . 260 . 362 . 0262-4079 . London .
3. Web site: Solid Circuit(tm) Semiconductor Network Computer, 6.3 Cubic inches in Size, is Demonstrated in Operation by U.S. Air Force and Texas Instruments . History of Innovation . . 1961-10-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060108153204/http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/company/history/iccomp.shtml . 2006-01-08 . 2006-01-08 .
4. IEEE International Convention Record . 1962 . 10 . 1–5 . 50 . en.
5. Book: Texas Instruments . https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_tidataBookmiconductorIntegratedCircuitsJan65_14257211/page/n9 . Bulletin SCA-1000: Digital Semiconductor Integrated Circuits . Series 51 RCTL . 2–3, 9–11 . January 1965 . Texas Instruments .
6. Book: Dummer . G. W. A. . Robertson . J. Mackenzie . https://books.google.com/books?id=tdCjBQAAQBAJ&q=%22Solid+Circuit%22+%22series+51%22&pg=PA596 . American Microelectronics Data Annual 1964–65 . Texas Instruments Series 51 Semiconductor Networks . Macmillan . 1965 . 596–650 . 9781483185491 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190704154911/https://books.google.com/books?id=tdCjBQAAQBAJ&lpg=PA596&dq=%22Solid%20Circuit%22%20%22series%2051%22&pg=PA596#v=onepage&q=%22Solid%20Circuit%22%20%22series%2051%22&f=false . 2019-07-04 .
7. Book: Laws . David A. . https://archive.org/details/ICAtFifty-Booklet/page/n27 . IC at fifty . 1962: Aerospace systems are the first applications for ICs in computers . Laws . David A. . McClure . Jim . Michael Riordan (physicist). Riordan . Michael . Mountain View, California . . 2009 . 26 .
8. Book: Texas Instruments . A Molecular Electronic Computer . 1961 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190704160535/https://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/text/Texas_Instruments/TI.molecular.1961.102646283.pdf . 2019-07-04 . 2018-03-13 . Texas Instruments .
9. Book: https://archive.org/stream/DTIC_AD0273850#page/n79/mode/1up/search/Theory+of+operation+of+the+ASD+semiconductor-network+computer . DTIC AD0273850: Silicon Semiconductor Networks Manufacturing Methods . 1962 . 67–113. en. Section VI: Theory of Operation of the ASD Semiconductor-Network Computer .
10. Micrologic / MARTAC 420 ad . Aviation Week . 2 July 1962 . 286 . en.
11. Jul 1962. Across the Editor's Desk: New Products – Radical New Computer With Subminiaturized Multiple Circuits. Computers and Automation. XI. 7. 19.
12. Hamlin . William O. . Microelectronics . Electronics World . January 1963 . 69. 1 . en. 31. Designed primarily for ICBM pre-launch checkout and control [...].
13. Book: MARTAC 420 : a multipurpose digital control computer 102762874 Computer History Museum. www.computerhistory.org. 1962 . Martin Company . en. 2018-03-22.
14. Book: Use of integrated circuitry in a digital system 102762873 Computer History Museum. www.computerhistory.org. 1962 . Martin Company . en. 2018-03-22.
15. Book: Langdon . Glen G. Jr . Logic Design: A Review Of Theory And Practice . 2012 . Elsevier . 9780323160452 . 29 . en.
16. Book: Gill . Jas . Swann . Peter . Corporate Vision and Rapid Technological Change: The Evolution of Market Structure . 2002 . Routledge . 9781134874767 . 140–141 . en.
17. Book: Army. August 1962. Association of the United States Army.. 63. en.
18. Book: MAGIC : an advanced computer for Spaceborne Guidance Systems 102770287 Computer History Museum. www.computerhistory.org. October 1962 . en. 2018-03-22.
19. Web site: MAGIC Documents . www.bitsavers.org. MAGIC I Characteristics - p. 2 of the Organization_Of_MAGIC_II_Nov63.
20. Book: Kearfott Aerospace Digital Computers 102646245 Computer History Museum . 1967-05-01 . General Precision, Inc. . 20–21 . en. Circuitry: Silicon planar epitaxial semiconductor IC.
21. Book: Faber, Rodney B.. Essentials of solid state electronics. 1985. John Wiley & Sons Australia, Limited. 9780471865759. en. 306.
22. Book: Computer Design. 1962. Computer Design Publishing Corporation. en. 35.
23. Web site: Fabrication of IC devices. www.tpub.com. 2019-01-11.
24. Web site: BRL Report 1964. ed-thelen.org. 2018-04-05.
25. Web site: 24-bit Computer Chapter. vipclubmn.org. 2018-04-05.
26. Across the Editor's Desk: Computing and Data Processing Newsletter – Front Cover Story: New Aerospace Computer Features Circuit "Chips" and Thin-Film Memory. Computers and Automation. Feb 1963. XII. 2. 1, 5, 40.
27. Across the Editor's Desk: Computing and Data Processing Newsletter – UNIVAC 1824 Microelectronic Aerospace Computer. Computers and Automation. Mar 1965. XIV. 3. 47.
28. Web site: UNIVAC brochure. 1969. www.honeysucklecreek.net. 18–19, 26. 2018-04-05.
29. Book: product information . C-13-1 - C-13-4 (43-46) . http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/univac/military/Univac_Defense_Systems_Division_Product_Information_Sep1974.pdf . Aerospace Computer UNIVAC 1824.
30. Book: Electronics. Jul 1966. McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. en. 200. 39.
31. See the difference in Minuteman computers . Aviation Week & Space Technology . 25 May 1964 . 64–65 . en.
32. Book: SCA-1000 TI Digital Semiconductor Integrated Circuits . Jan 1965 . Texas Instruments . 3, 14 .
33. https://history.nasa.gov/computers/Ch2-5.html The Apollo guidance computer: Hardware
34. Web site: Apollo Integrated Circuits and Reliability . klabs.org.
35. Strohl . Elaine K. . Kilgore . Yvonne H. . Sass . Margo A. . Goldstein . Gordon D. . Computers and Data Processing, North AMerica: 4. Honeywell, Inc., H-8200, Wellesley, Massachusetts - Fully Integrated . Digital Computer Newsletter . October 1965 . 17 . 4 . 8 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210308080845/https://apps.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0694646 . dead . March 8, 2021 . Office of Naval Research . Arlington, Va. . en.
36. Book: Dummer . G. W. A. . Robertson . J. Mackenzie . Anglo–American Microelectronics Data 1968–69: Manufacturers R–Z . 2013 . Elsevier . 9781483150604 . 2912–2915 . https://books.google.com/books?id=j8UgBQAAQBAJ&q=hlttl&pg=PA2912 . en . Transitron HLTTL series (military and industrial).
37. Book: Study for a flight failure warning and analysis PEM system Final report . 1965 . 6, 56, 69 .