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PDP-1 introduced
Digital Equipment corporation (DEC) introduces first Programmable Data Processor (PDP-1)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/PDP-1.jpg -
PDP-1 arrives at MIT
The second PDP-1 made by DEC is given for free to MIT. According to Steven Levy it is a godsend to Dan Sokol, Peter Samson and their fellow MIT hackers.
https://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/still-image/DEC/PDP-1_Online/dec.pdp-1.monitor_front_view.102631249.lg.jpg -
First PDP-4 shipped
Created to be half the price of the PDP-1. https://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Digital/timeline/photos/pdp4.GIF -
Spacewar! created on PDP-1 at MIT
Steve "Slug" Russel creates Spacewar! on PDP-1 at MIT Video of Spacewar! https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/5uGKwK8kCAcLL4JJyWBowdzJzaU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Spacewar_screenshot-5954c1c35f9b5815d91a10ec.jpg -
PDP-5 introduced
Predecessor to PDP-8, which is seen as firs true minicomputer, so PDP-5 was stepping stone for that milestone.
https://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Digital/timeline/photos/pdp5.GIF -
PDP-6 introduced
Perfect machine according to TMRC hackers - designed by Dan Sokol and Gordon Bell. Significant because of its 16 registers and its usage in creating the ITS (Incompatible Timesharing System) the MIT hackers made.
https://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Digital/timeline/photos/pdp-6-t.gif -
PDP-7 introduced
Used by Ken Olsen to write first version of UNIX.
https://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Digital/timeline/photos/pdp7.GIF -
First PDP-8 shipped
First mass produced minicomputer (50,000 made). Significant, because it allowed prices to drop tenfold and allowed DEC to have a model competing with IBM in production numbers.
https://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Digital/timeline/photos/pdp8.GIF -
PDP-9 introduced
Significant because of its keyboard-monitor system usage.
https://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Digital/timeline/photos/pdp9.GIF -
Ken Thompson writes UNIX on PDP-7
The frist version of the now widely known operating system called UNIX was written by Ken Thompson on a PDP-7.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Ken_Thompson_02.jpg -
PDP-10 introduced
Significant because of its wide acceptance and usage of the timesharing capabilities which accelerated the transition from batch processing to timesharing systems.
https://gunkies.org/w/images/thumb/3/35/PDP-10_1090.jpg/350px-PDP-10_1090.jpg -
PDP-12 announced
For use in laboratories
https://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Digital/timeline/photos/pdp12.jpg -
PDP-15 first shipped
The PDP-15, last in a line of successful computers made by DEC was sold more than 400 times in its first months
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/PDP-15_graphics_terminal.agr.jpg/800px-PDP-15_graphics_terminal.agr.jpg -
PDP-11 produced
Used Unibus that introduced bus structure that is still utilised in computers today and was before only used on mainframe computers. World's most successful family of minicomputers.
https://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/Digital/timeline/photos/pdp11-20.jpg -
First VAX computer introduced
The PDP-11 led to the design of the next successful line of DEC computers, the VAX.
[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/VAX_logo.svg/2880px-VAX_logo.svg.png](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/VAX_logo.svg/2880px-VAX_logo.svg.png] -
PDP-11 in nuclear power plant
There are PDP-11's still in use at nuclear power plants today, that are expected to still be used until 2050.
https://futurelawyer.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345170df69e201b8d2318feb970c-450wi
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