Difference between revisions of "Symbolics"
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| − | '''Symbolics''' was a start-up spinoff of the [[MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory|MIT AI Lab]] founded in 1980, whose goal was to build and sell [[LISP machine]]s. It had a moderately successful run, but after internal dissension and some poor business decisions, it went bankrupt in 1996. | + | '''Symbolics''' was a start-up spinoff of the [[MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory|MIT AI Lab]], founded in 1980, whose goal was to build and sell [[LISP machine]]s. It had a moderately successful run, but after internal dissension and some poor business decisions, it went bankrupt in 1996. |
During its lifetime, Symbolics produced 4 generations of hardware: | During its lifetime, Symbolics produced 4 generations of hardware: | ||
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* the L-Machines (models 3600, 3670, 3640, 3675 and 3645); built out of stock [[transistor-transistor logic|TTL]] | * the L-Machines (models 3600, 3670, 3640, 3675 and 3645); built out of stock [[transistor-transistor logic|TTL]] | ||
* the G-machines (models 3650, 3620, 3630, 3619); built from custom [[gate array]]s | * the G-machines (models 3650, 3620, 3630, 3619); built from custom [[gate array]]s | ||
| − | * the I-machines (standalone: XL400, XL1200, XL1201 and NXP1000; Sun: UX400, UX1200; [[Macintosh]]: MacIvory I, II, III); custom [[integrated circuit|ICs]] | + | * the I-machines (standalone: XL400, XL1200, XL1201 and NXP1000; [[Sun Microsystems|Sun]]-based: UX400, UX1200; [[Macintosh]]-based: MacIvory I, II, III); custom [[integrated circuit|ICs]]) |
Technically, what doomed specialized LISP machines was the fact that stock [[microprocessor]]s sped up to such a degree that even the specialized support available in the low-production-volume custom [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] of the LISP machine (tagged data types; [[garbage collection]]) left them unable to keep up. | Technically, what doomed specialized LISP machines was the fact that stock [[microprocessor]]s sped up to such a degree that even the specialized support available in the low-production-volume custom [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] of the LISP machine (tagged data types; [[garbage collection]]) left them unable to keep up. | ||
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* [https://www.bogodyne.com/ Bogodyne Metatechnics] - hard to describe; go look | * [https://www.bogodyne.com/ Bogodyne Metatechnics] - hard to describe; go look | ||
| − | [[Category: Manufacturers]] | + | [[Category: Computer Manufacturers]] |
[[Category: PDP-10 Users]] | [[Category: PDP-10 Users]] | ||
Latest revision as of 05:52, 21 January 2025
Symbolics was a start-up spinoff of the MIT AI Lab, founded in 1980, whose goal was to build and sell LISP machines. It had a moderately successful run, but after internal dissension and some poor business decisions, it went bankrupt in 1996.
During its lifetime, Symbolics produced 4 generations of hardware:
- the LM-2, a slightly improved and repackaged CADR, intended as an interim product
- the L-Machines (models 3600, 3670, 3640, 3675 and 3645); built out of stock TTL
- the G-machines (models 3650, 3620, 3630, 3619); built from custom gate arrays
- the I-machines (standalone: XL400, XL1200, XL1201 and NXP1000; Sun-based: UX400, UX1200; Macintosh-based: MacIvory I, II, III); custom ICs)
Technically, what doomed specialized LISP machines was the fact that stock microprocessors sped up to such a degree that even the specialized support available in the low-production-volume custom CPU of the LISP machine (tagged data types; garbage collection) left them unable to keep up.
External links
- Symbolics - documentation at Bitsavers
- Symbolics Lisp Machine Museum
- Symbolics - current company's site
- Bogodyne Metatechnics - hard to describe; go look
