Summary

"BBC Proton" microcomputer, made by Acorn in the United Kingdom but modified in Australia in 1981. This model was widely used in Australian schools. The donor states that he assembled the machine in the United Kingdom while working for Barson Computers. The circuitry inside the console is hand soldered.

This unit is serial no. 2. It is the third one made as the count started with 0.

It has been more recently suggested this item could be a prototype with the codename "Proton" made before the BBC went ahead with the design and renamed it the "BBC Micro". The "BBC Micro" was the model used in schools.

Physical Description

Rectangular beige coloured plastic computer console with dark grey coloured plastic QWERTY style keyboard and orange coloured plastic function keys and paper label above keyboard. White plastic mains cable attached at rear and loose black coloured plastic RGB cable (Red Green Blue) cable with male plugs for a colour monitor to be attached to the console. Electronic circutry inside console.

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Information & Communication

  • Acquisition Information

    Donation from Cormoran Communications, by 1994

  • Manufacturer

    Acorn, England, Great Britain, circa 1981

  • Inscriptions

    On top of console, on paper label: CONTROL / [function identification] / SHIFT / [function identification] / BBC microcomputer [owl logo] On rear of console: BBC Microcomputer System made in UK by Acorn Computers Ltd. Cambridge / Industrial design by Alen Boothroyd. registered design and copyright 1981, patents pending / [plug identification] / Acorn Computer Ltd. / MANUFACTURED TO BS 415 / BY ASTEC COMPONENTS LTD / 220-240V~ / 50/60HZ / 50 WATTS / On / Off On underside of console: [Extensive text] / serial number / 100 002 [on white sticker]

  • Classification

    Computing & calculating, Digital computing, Microcomputers

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Technology

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Object Dimensions

    412 mm (Width), 355 mm (Depth), 73 mm (Height)
    Length of white power cord: 1820mm

  • Part Dimensions

    1040 mm (Length), 15 mm (Outside Diameter)
    Dimensions of uncoiled RGB cable.

  • Keywords

    Computers, Computing, Education