Hewlett-Packard 9100A

The Hewlett-Packard 9100A (HP 9100A) is an early programmable calculator[3] (or computer), first appearing in 1968.

"[1] An ad for the 9100A in 1968 Science magazine contains one of the earliest documented use (as of 2000) of the phrase personal computer.

[2] The unit was descended from a prototype produced by engineer Thomas "Tom" E. Osborne, who joined the company when HP decided to adopt the project.

With CRT readout, magnetic card storage, and printer, the price was around US$4,900 (equivalent to $43,000 in 2023).

Due to the similarities of the machines, Hewlett-Packard was ordered to pay about $900,000 in royalties to Olivetti after copying some of the features adopted in the Programma 101, like the magnetic card and the architecture.

"The new Hewlett-Packard 9100A personal computer" is "ready, willing, and able... to relieve you of waiting to get on the big computer." [ 1 ] [ 2 ]
Electronic calculator prototype, made by Thomas E. Osborne for Hewlett-Packard, 1964, in the National Museum of American History