Wang 3300
| Industry | Computer hardware |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1951 |
| Headquarters | Lowell , United States |
| Products | Wang 3300 minicomputer |
The Wang 3300 was a minicomputer launched by Wang Laboratories in 1971.
Description
Serving as an intermediate model between the Wang 4000 and Wang 2200, the Wang 3300 represented Wang's inaugural 8-bit general-purpose minicomputer built with integrated circuits. It was engineered to function as the central processing unit within a multi-terminal time-sharing environment. The machine supported memory operations involving both single-byte and double-byte operands, featuring core memory capacities adjustable from 4,096 up to 65,536 bytes in increments of 4,096 bytes. The architecture allowed for connection of as many as 16 teletype terminals. Marketed as "the most easily operated minicomputer time-sharing system available," the Wang 3300 is now often considered a "false start" due to lengthy program loading times from paper tape—sometimes taking up to 40 minutes—and its dependence on physical teletype devices instead of CRT displays.
Development commenced following the recruitment of Rick Bensene in June 1968. The software was created by PHI Computer Services, which Wang had acquired in 1968, utilizing an IBM 360/65 emulator tailored for the 3300. The system was publicly announced in February 1969, with the first unit delivered to a customer on March 29, 1971.
External links
- Wang 3300 Detailed information on the Wang 3300
- Wang 3300 Emulator Faithful emulation of the Wang 3300
- Wang Laboratories: From Custom Systems to Computers
- Wang 3300 on YouTube Video showcasing an operational Wang 3300 system