ECHO IV, or ECHO 4 (Electronic Computing Home Operator, or Electronic Computer for Home Operation) is a prototype of a home computer developed by Westinghouse Electric engineer James (Jim) Sutherland in the mid-1960s (1965-1966).
History James Sutherland worked as an engineer for the American company Westinghouse Electric, designing fossil and nuclear power plant control systems. In 1959, the company built a computer called PRODAC IV (he was the designer of the arithmetic logic unit), using destructive-readout core memory and NOR logic.
When PRODAC IV was replaced by a UNIVAC design, some of the Westinghouse controller hardware was declared surplus in 1965. Sutherland took up surplus boards and memory to build a home computer, ECHO IV (the "IV" in ECHO IV came from the PRODAC IV). It was made public for the first time in 1966.
The computer was working in the Sutherland's house until 1976, and was donated to the Computer Museum in Boston in 1984.
Technical specifications Processor Transistorized (2N404), with RTL NOR logic elements 120 circuit modules 18 commands 4 registers Add time: 216 μs Frequency: 160 kHz Main memory: 8,192 15-bit words, magnetic core Input/Output: paper tape reader and punch keyboard made from parts of IBM Selectric typewriter Kleinschmidt teleprinter Physical specifications: Four large wooden cabinets, each with approximate dimension of: Width: 4 feet Height: 6 feet Depth: 2 feet Weight: about
Uses Accounting Household inventory Calendar Manage all digital clocks through the house Real-time clock with delay of 1 second Air conditioning management TV and television antenna management; on school nights children were required to answer questions if they wanted to watch television Meteorological program for reading and storing data from a meteorological station that was connected to ECHO IV and weather forecast
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External links ECHO IV photos with description: