The hottest Computer History Substack posts right now

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Digital Servo Systems' Foot ^Control

Computer Ads from the Past • 768 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Computer History
  1. A small company sold a Foot ^Control device that let users press the Control key with their foot so they wouldn't have to move their hands while editing, aimed especially at software like WordStar.
  2. Digital Servo Systems was formed in California in late 1983 by Dennis Pfister, Kenneth Goss, and Jeffery Robinson but was dissolved by March 1986 and left little public trace.
  3. Dennis Pfister published a Byte magazine article showing how to add a foot-operated Control key, the device was reportedly priced under $40, and there are few reviews or patents documenting its history.

Komputerwerk

Computer Ads from the Past • 384 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Computer History
  1. Komputerwerk was a Pennsylvania-based company from the mid-1980s that made tools for compiled BASIC; records conflict but it appears to be no longer active.
  2. Its flagship product, Finally!, was a library of over 100 named subroutines for compiled BASIC, with source code and documentation for tasks like array math, string trimming, sorting, charts, and system queries.
  3. They also sold Xgraf, an assembly-language graphics kernel for QuickBASIC that added extended graphics calls, screen packing, zooming, and file save/load/import features.

Vote for the December 2025 + Post Topic

Computer Ads from the Past • 256 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Computer History
  1. Readers are invited to vote on the December 2025 + post topic from several options.
  2. The choices are magazine images and ads spanning decades (1977, 1986, 1992, 1995), showing a wide range of retro computing products.
  3. The post will be published before the end of the year, supporters are thanked, and readers can claim the free post or subscribe to access paid content.

Disking Banana

Computer Ads from the Past • 1024 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Computer History
  1. In the 1980s, a guy named Roger Smith started selling floppy disks after running out for his business. He wanted to make it easy for people to buy more disks.
  2. He creatively named his floppy disks 'Banana' and promoted them with fun banana-themed items. This catchy name really helped attract attention.
  3. Disking still exists today as a local computer parts and repair shop in the UK, showing how some business ideas can stick around for a long time.

Chip Letter Links No. 16 : Gordon Moore's Notebooks, Nvidia on Acquired, Assembly Language, Jeff Hinton, RISC-V on Jupyter

The Chip Letter • 2839 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Computer History
  1. Gordon Moore's notebooks from Fairchild provide a unique insight into his work and research in the early days of computing.
  2. Assembly language, especially 8-bit, was more popular and necessary in the past compared to modern 64-bit architectures.
  3. Nvidia's survival and success were closely tied to their alignment with Moore's Law in the GPU industry.
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Commodore Magazine Interviews Epyx (1989)

Computer Ads from the Past • 256 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Computer History
  1. Epyx started as a small game company and became successful by creating original titles and working closely as a team. They really focused on innovative ideas and stayed dedicated to their projects.
  2. The company faced challenges in licensing properties, like trying to secure the Olympic name, but they adapted by creating unique games that avoided conflicts with big players in the industry.
  3. Their games often combined fun gameplay with good graphics and sound, and they focused on making games that were enjoyable for everyone, not just hardcore players.

A computer history deprogrammer

Cybersect • 176 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Computer History
  1. Aristotle's teachings were influential in history, but many advancements had to challenge and go beyond his ideas.
  2. The foundation of computer logic actually started with figures like Shannon, rather than traditional thinkers like Aristotle or Boole.
  3. The evolution of computers and networks, from steampunk devices to the rise of personal computers, significantly changed how we interact with technology.

THINK's Lightspeed C

Computer Ads from the Past • 512 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Computer History
  1. Lightspeed C was a C programming language software developed in the mid-1980s for Atari systems and Macintosh computers.
  2. Clearstar Softechnologies created Lightspeed C for Atari systems in 1985, and the company was later purchased by Omega Soft in 1988.
  3. THINK Technologies released Lightspeed C for Mac and later renamed it to THINK C in the mid-1980s, receiving positive reviews for its speed and user-friendliness.

Berkeley’s Digital Legacy: The Evolution of BSD and Its Influence

Deus In Machina • 0 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Computer History
  1. Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) started as an enhanced version of Unix with extra patches and evolved distinctively from Unix with 3BSD release.
  2. BSD's 4BSD system integrated TCP/IP protocols, leading to the development of different BSD versions like Net/1 and FreeBSD.
  3. Following legal battles and subsequent developments, FreeBSD and NetBSD emerged as major BSD variants continuing the legacy of Unix with portable designs.