List of early third generation computers

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^[15]^[16])
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^[35]
Honeywell ALERT - HLTTL IC^[36]^[37]^[38]
Autonetics D26 - DTL IC^[39]^[40]

1967

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^[42]^[43]^[44]^[45] 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^[a]	Manufacturer	Model	Comment
Feb 1965	Scientific Data Systems	SDS 92	First commercial 3rd generation computer
Sep 1965	Systems Engineering Laboratories, Inc.	810
Oct 1965	ASI Computer Division of Electro-Mechanical Research, Inc.^[b]	ASI 6070^[48]
Nov 1965	Systems Engineering Laboratories, Inc.	840
Dec 1965	Honeywell Information Systems	2200^[49]
Jan 1966	Computer Control Company	DDP-124
Jan 1966	Honeywell Information Systems	1200^[49]
Feb 1966	ASI Computer Division of Electro-Mechanical Research, Inc.^[b]	ASI 6050^[48]
Feb 1966	Honeywell Information Systems	120^[49]
Jun 1966	Honeywell Information Systems	DDP 516^[50]
Jul 1966	RCA	Spectra 70/35, /45 & /55
Aug 1966	Systems Engineering Laboratories, Inc.	810A/840A
Nov 1966	Ferranti	Argus 400
Nov 1966	Hewlett-Packard, Co.	2116A
Dec 1966	Business Information Technology	BIT 480^[51]^[52]
Dec 1966	Scientific Data Systems	Sigma 7
Jan 1967	Scientific Data Systems	Sigma 2
Feb 1967	General Electric	GE 4020^[53] (in Japanese)
Mar 1967	Interdata, Inc.	Interdata 3
Apr 1967	Electronic Associates, Inc.	EAI 640^[54]
May 1967	Honeywell Information Systems	4200^[49]
May 1967	Standard Computer Corporation	IC6000^[55]
Jun 1967	Univac	9200 & 9300
Jun 1967	Varian Data Machines	620/i
Aug 1967	Burroughs	B2500/3500 ^[56]^: 473
Aug 1967	Xerox Data Systems	Sigma 5
Sep 1967	Elbit Computers, Ltd.	100^[57]
Oct 1967	Marconi	Myriad II^[58]	Uses DTL
Oct 1967	ASI Computer Division of Electro-Mechanical Research, Inc.^[b]	ASI 6130^[59]
Oct 1967	Digiac Corporation	3080C^[60]
Oct 1967	Raytheon Computer	703^[61]
Dec 1967	Honeywell Information Systems	125^[62]
Jan 1968	Systems Engineering Laboratories, Inc.	840MP
Jan 1968	General Automation, Inc.	SPC-12
Apr 1968	Computer Automation, Inc.	PDC 808	Uses DTL circuits
Apr 1968	Digital Equipment Corp.	PDP-8/I^[63]
Apr 1968	Hewlett-Packard, Co.	2115A
c. Apr 1968	Spear	Micro-LINC 300	Uses MECL
May 1968	Texas Instruments, Inc	980^[64]
Jun 1968	Honeywell Information Systems	1648^[65]
Jul 1968	Hewlett-Packard, Co.	2116B
Jul 1968	Redcor Corporation	RC-70^[66]
Aug 1968	Honeywell Information Systems	1250^[62]
Sep 1968	Honeywell Information Systems	110^[49]
Sep 1968	National Cash Register	Century 100
Sep 1968	Standard Computer Corporation	IC4000^[55]
Sep 1968	Systems Engineering Laboratories, Inc.	810B
Oct 1968	Digital Equipment Corp.	PDP-8/L^[63]
Oct 1968	Hewlett-Packard, Co.	2114A
Oct 1968	Varian Data Machines	520/i
Nov 1968	General Automation, Inc.	SPC-8
Nov 1968	RCA	Spectra 70/46
Dec 1968	Bailey Meter	855
Dec 1968	Computer Automation, Inc.	PDC 816	Used TTL for logic
Dec 1968	Honeywell Information Systems	DDP 416^[67]
Dec 1968	Honeywell Information Systems	H632^[68]^[69]
Dec 1968	Micro Systems, Inc	Micro 800/810^[70]^[c]	TTL MSI, Core Memory, Microprogrammed
1968	Fujitsu, Ltd.	FACOM230-25, -35, -45
Feb 1969	Data General	Nova
Feb 1969	Honeywell Information Systems	8200
Mar 1969	Fujitsu, Ltd.	FACOM-R^[71]^[d]
Mar 1969	Lockheed Electronics	MAC-16
Mar 1969	Raytheon Computer	706^[72]
Apr 1969	Burroughs	B8500^[73]
Apr 1969	Philips Electrologica Limited	P350 series^[74]
Apr 1969	Scientific Control Corporation	SCC 4700^[75]
May 1969	Datacraft Corporation	DC-6024/1^[76]^[77]^[78]
May 1969	Univac	9400
Jun 1969	National Cash Register	Century 200^[79]
Jun 1969	Honeywell Information Systems	H316^[50]
Jun 1969	Standard Computer Corporation	IC7000^[55]
Jul 1969	Burroughs	B6500 ^[56]^: 449
Aug 1969	Westinghouse Electric	2500^[80]
Sep 1969	Tempo Computers, Inc.	1/1-A^[81]
Nov 1969	Hewlett-Packard, Co.	2114B
Dec 1969	IBM	360/85
Dec 1969	Xerox Data Systems	Sigma 3
1969	International Computers and Tabulators	ICT 1900A
Jan 1970	Business Information Technology	BIT 483^[82]
Jan 1970	GRI Computer Corp.	GRI 909^[83]
Jan 1970	IBM	System/3
Feb 1970	Digital Equipment Corp.	PDP-15^[63]
Feb 1970	Honeywell Information Systems	3200^[49]
Feb 1970	Datacraft Corporation	DC-6024/3^[84]^[77]^[78]
Feb 1970	CII	Iris 50
Early 1970	U. of Illinois	ILLIAC IV
Mar 1970	Digital Scientific Corp.	META 4^[85]
Apr 1970	Digital Equipment Corp.	PDP-11/20^[63]
Apr 1970	Raytheon Computer	704^[86]
Apr 1970	Viatron Computer Systems Corp.	Viatron 2140 & 2150
May 1970	Data General	SuperNova
May 1970	General Automation, Inc.	SPC-16
Jun 1970	Texas Instruments, Inc	960^[64]
Jul 1970	Unicomp, Inc.	COMP-16^[87]
Aug 1970	Digital Computer Controls, Inc	DCC-112^[57]
Sep 1970	RCA	Spectra 70/60
Sep 1970	Wang Laboratories, Inc.	Wang 3300
Sep 1970	Philips Business Systems, Inc.	P850/855/860^[88]
Fall 1970	Datamate Computer Systems, Inc.	70^[89]
before Nov 1970	GRI Computer Corporation	99^[90]
before Nov 1970	Varisystems Corporation	PAC-16/2^[91]
Dec 1970	Modular Computer Systems, Inc	III^[92]
1970	Fujitsu, Ltd.	FACOM230-15
1970	Unicomp, Inc.	COMP-18^[87]
Jan 1971	IBM	370/155
Feb 1971	RCA	Spectra 70/61
Mar 1971	Digital Equipment Corp.	PDP-8/E^[63]
Mar 1971	General Electric	GE 655
Apr 1971	Data General Corp.	Nova 800
Apr 1971	IBM	370/165
Jun 1971	IBM	370/145
Dec 1971	Data General Corp.	Nova 1200
1971	Fujitsu, Ltd.	FACOM230-45S

Notes

^
Unless otherwise noted date is "first customer shipment" or "first practical demonstration" taken from the following sources listed in priority order:
1. Dates with reliable sources in linked Wikipedia articles
2. Digital Computer Census (1964-1974)^[93]
3. Auerbach EDP Series No.4 - Minicomputers,^[43] Appendix C. Product Comparison charts
4. Dead Medium: Dead computational platforms, dead mainframes, and their dates^[42]
To the extent there is a conflict between sources, only the highest priority source is used.
^ ^a ^b ^c ASI became EMR-Computer in 1964.^[46] Later sold to Univac.^[47]
^ Sold in Europe as Intertechnique Multi-8
^ Generation 3 estimated based upon dates of other older models from manufacturer

References

^ "1961 Pictorial Report on the Computer Field". Journal of Computers and Automation. 10 (12). Newtonville, Massachusetts: Berkeley Enterprises Inc.: 85 December 1961.
^ "Science in Overseas Industry". New Scientist. 12 (260). London: 362. 1961-11-09. ISSN 0262-4079.
^ "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. Texas Instruments. 1961-10-19. Archived from the original on 2006-01-08. Retrieved 2006-01-08.
^ "IEEE International Convention Record". 10 (1–5). 1962: 50. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ Texas Instruments (January 1965). "Series 51 RCTL". Bulletin SCA-1000: Digital Semiconductor Integrated Circuits. pp. 2–3, 9–11.
^ Dummer, G. W. A.; Robertson, J. Mackenzie (1965). "Texas Instruments Series 51 Semiconductor Networks". American Microelectronics Data Annual 1964–65. Macmillan. pp. 596–650. ISBN 9781483185491. Archived from the original on 2019-07-04.
^ Laws, David A. (2009). "1962: Aerospace systems are the first applications for ICs in computers". In Laws, David A.; McClure, Jim; Riordan, Michael (eds.). IC at fifty. Mountain View, California: Computer History Museum. p. 26.
^ Texas Instruments (1961). A Molecular Electronic Computer (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-07-04. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
^ "Section VI: Theory of Operation of the ASD Semiconductor-Network Computer". DTIC AD0273850: Silicon Semiconductor Networks Manufacturing Methods. 1962. pp. 67–113.
^ "Micrologic / MARTAC 420 ad". Aviation Week: 286. 2 July 1962.
^ "Across the Editor's Desk: New Products – Radical New Computer With Subminiaturized Multiple Circuits". Computers and Automation. XI (7): 19. Jul 1962.
^ Hamlin, William O. (January 1963). "Microelectronics". Electronics World. 69 (1): 31. Designed primarily for ICBM pre-launch checkout and control [...]
^ MARTAC 420 : a multipurpose digital control computer | 102762874 | Computer History Museum. Martin Company. 1962. Retrieved 2018-03-22. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
^ Use of integrated circuitry in a digital system | 102762873 | Computer History Museum. Martin Company. 1962. Retrieved 2018-03-22. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
^ ^a ^b Langdon, Glen G. Jr (2012). Logic Design: A Review Of Theory And Practice. Elsevier. p. 29. ISBN 9780323160452.
^ ^a ^b Gill, Jas; Swann, Peter (2002). Corporate Vision and Rapid Technological Change: The Evolution of Market Structure. Routledge. pp. 140–141. ISBN 9781134874767.
^ Army. Association of the United States Army. August 1962. p. 63.
^ MAGIC : an advanced computer for Spaceborne Guidance Systems | 102770287 | Computer History Museum. October 1962. Retrieved 2018-03-22. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
^ "MAGIC Documents". www.bitsavers.org. p. MAGIC I Characteristics - p. 2 of the Organization_Of_MAGIC_II_Nov63.
^ Kearfott Aerospace Digital Computers | 102646245 | Computer History Museum. General Precision, Inc. 1967-05-01. pp. 20–21. Circuitry: Silicon planar epitaxial semiconductor IC
^ Faber, Rodney B. (1985). Essentials of solid state electronics. John Wiley & Sons Australia, Limited. p. 306. ISBN 9780471865759.
^ Computer Design. Computer Design Publishing Corporation. 1962. p. 35.
^ "Fabrication of IC devices". www.tpub.com. Retrieved 2019-01-11.
^ "BRL Report 1964". ed-thelen.org. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
^ "24-bit Computer Chapter". vipclubmn.org. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
^ "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. XII (2): 1, 5, 40. Feb 1963.
^ "Across the Editor's Desk: Computing and Data Processing Newsletter – UNIVAC 1824 Microelectronic Aerospace Computer". Computers and Automation. XIV (3): 47. Mar 1965.
^ "UNIVAC brochure". www.honeysucklecreek.net. 1969. pp. 18–19, 26. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
^ "Aerospace Computer UNIVAC 1824" (PDF). product information. pp. C-13-1 - C-13-4 (43-46).
^ Electronics. Vol. 39. McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. Jul 1966. p. 200.
^ "See the difference in Minuteman computers". Aviation Week & Space Technology: 64–65. 25 May 1964.
^ SCA-1000 TI Digital Semiconductor Integrated Circuits. Texas Instruments. Jan 1965. pp. 3, 14.
^ The Apollo guidance computer: Hardware
^ "Apollo Integrated Circuits and Reliability". klabs.org.
^ Baechler 1967, Table 2 no 14 (p. 23 in reader).
^ Baechler 1969, Table 1 no 16 (p. 9 in reader)
^ Strohl, Elaine K.; Kilgore, Yvonne H.; Sass, Margo A.; Goldstein, Gordon D. (October 1965). "Computers and Data Processing, North AMerica: 4. Honeywell, Inc., H-8200, Wellesley, Massachusetts - Fully Integrated". Digital Computer Newsletter. 17 (4). Arlington, Va.: Office of Naval Research: 8. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021.
^ Dummer, G. W. A.; Robertson, J. Mackenzie (2013). "Transitron HLTTL series (military and industrial)". Anglo–American Microelectronics Data 1968–69: Manufacturers R–Z. Elsevier. pp. 2912–2915. ISBN 9781483150604.
^ Study for a flight failure warning and analysis PEM system Final report. 1965. pp. 6, 56, 69.
^ Baechler 1967, Table 2 no 16 and 27 (p. 23 in reader).
^ Baechler 1967, Table 2 no 35 (p. 23 in reader).
^ ^a ^b Watson, Bruce P.; Knight, Dr. Kennethe E. (c. 1976). "Dead Medium: Dead computational platforms, dead mainframes, and their dates". Retrieved March 31, 2019.
^ ^a ^b "Minicomputers - EDP Series, No. 4" (PDF). Bitsavers. Auerbach. March 1971. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
^ "Minicomputers" (PDF). Bitsavvers. Modern Data. June 1971. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
^ Sidowsksi, Joseph B. (1970). "Minicomputers" (PDF). Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation. 2 (6): 267–288. doi:10.3758/BF03211027. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
^ "Charles Babbage Institute: The Computing Industry in Minnesota > A-B: Advanced Scientific Instruments". www.cbi.umn.edu.
^ Enterprise, I. D. G. (1 November 1972). "Univac Set to Acquire EMR". Computerworld. IDG Enterprise.
^ ^a ^b "Advance Series Expanded From Two to Five Systems". Archive.org. Computers and Automation. July 1965. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Honeywell Series 200 and 2000" (PDF). Bitsavers. DataPro Research Corp. April 1974. pp. 2–3. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
^ ^a ^b "Early Honeywell Mini-Computers". Retrieved March 20, 2019.
^ "Model 480 general purpose desk-top computer". Computers and Automation (12): 23. Dec 1966.
^ Datamation, April 1968, p.19
^ computerfiles :: ComputerIndustryAnnual 1967-68
^ EAI 640
^ ^a ^b ^c "Documents on Standard Computer Corp Models 4000, 6000 and 7000". Bitsavers. c. 1968. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
^ ^a ^b Auerbach Computer Notebook International 1969. 1969.
^ ^a ^b elbit :: ELBIT 100 Brochure 1969
^ "Marconi 'Myriad II' Digital Computer Type L 4001" (PDF). Marconi Catalogues 1958-1969 - Radar Extracts. c. 1968. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
^ Datamation, May 1966, p.16
^ Datamation, Apr 1970, p. 331
^ "703 IC Systems Computer, Reference and Interface Manual" (PDF). Bitsavers. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
^ ^a ^b "BULL computers chronological history, Honeywell (1955-1985)". www.feb-patrimoine.com. Virtual Museum of French computers. April 22, 2002. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Bell, Gordon; et al. (1978). Computer Engineering - A DEC View Of Hardware Systems Design. Digital Press. pp. 116. ISBN 0-932376-00-2.
^ ^a ^b Model 960, Texas Instruments
^ "Honeywell Series 16 Low-Cost Time-Sharing System" (PDF). Computers And Automation. March 1969. p. 55. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
^ "RC 70 Computer Reference Manual". Redcor Corporation. March 1969. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ "u-Comp DDP-416 General Purpose I/C Computer" (PDF). Bitsavers. Honeywell Computer Control Division. 1967. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
^ "Model 632-001 Series 32 Technical Bulletin" (PDF). Bitsavers. Honeywell Computer Control Division. 1968. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
^ "Honeywell H632 brochure" (PDF). s3data.computerhistory.org. 1968.
^ "MICRO 800 Computer Reference Manual" (PDF). Bitsavers. Micro Systems, Inc. June 1969. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
^ "FACOM R". Fujitsu, Ltd. 1969. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
^ "Raytheon 706 Users Manual" (PDF). Bitsavers. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
^ Lynch, John T (August 1965). "The Burroughs B8500". Datamation. pp. 59–60.
^
- "Philips Data Systems' product range, P350 series Office Computers" (PDF). April 1971. pp. 31–35. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- "Philips-Electrologicaa P350 Series". Auerbach Guide to Small Business Computers Feb75. Auerbach. 1975. pp. 226–231 (234–239).
^ "SCC 4700 Computer Reference Manual" (PDF). Bitsavers. 1969. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
^ "Series 6000 Computer System (logic diagrams)" (PDF). Bitsavers. Datacraft Corp. c. 1970. Retrieved March 28, 2019.^{[page needed]}
^ ^a ^b Berkeley, Edmund Callis (1972). "DATACRAFT CORP". Computers and Automation. 21. Edmund C. Berkeley and Associates: 21. Manufacture and sell DC 6024/1, 3, 5 third generation, 24 bit computers
^ ^a ^b
Later sold as part of Harris Computer Systems' Slash Series (Slash 1, 3, 4 and 5)
- Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers 1975. Auerbach. 1975. p. 183 (191).
^ "The Core Memory". Retrieved April 16, 2019. Monolithic integrated logic circuitry is used throughout the Century components.
^ "Westinghouse 2500 Computer Reference Manual" (PDF). Bitsavers. Westinghouse Computer and Instrumentation Division. September 1971. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
^ "Tempo I system Reference Manual" (PDF). Bitsavers. Tempo Computers, Inc. November 25, 1969. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
^ Chuck(G) (November 15, 2009). "Thread: Bits 483". Retrieved March 25, 2019. the logic appears to be commodity TTL,...
^ GRI 909 manuals
^ Datamation, Mar 15, 1970, p. 62
^ McDonald, J; et al. (September 25, 1973). "Three ECL designs for microprogrammable Writable Control Stores". Conference record of the 6th annual workshop on Microprogramming - MICRO 6. ACM. pp. 26–43. doi:10.1145/800203.806232. ISBN 9781450377836. S2CID 17743482.
^ "704 IC Systems Computer, Technical Manual" (PDF). Bitsavers. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
^ ^a ^b Ichnowski, Jeanne Astrin (c. 1972). "Catalog list of Unicomp material at Computer History Museum". Retrieved April 1, 2019.
^ Philips mini computers P850/P855/P860
^ "Datamate 70 Computer Reference Manual" (PDF). Bitsavers. 1970. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
^ GRI-99 System Reference Manual Oct72
^ Varisystem
^ System Designs Handbook, mudular computer systems
^ "Digital Computer Census" (PDF). Bitsavers. Computers and People. January 22, 1962 – August 15, 1974. Retrieved March 31, 2019.

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 – via 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 – via NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS).