History
MIL Logo
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The MIL Research, Development and Manufacturing Centre on 75 Moodie Drive in
Ottawa circa 1974
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The Mod 8
The Canadian-made MOD-8 microcomputer was introduced by Microsystems International Ltd. (MIL) in late 1973 or early 1974. The microcomputer was originally intended as a modular MF8008 (MIL's version of the Intel 8008 chip) based prototyping system, similar to the Intel MCS-8. Before its closure in early 1975, MIL of Ottawa was one of the largest semiconductor companies manufacturing a range of semiconductor products including microprocessors.
In the mid-1970s, the MOD-8 and the MOD-80 microcomputers were very popular ‘starter’ computers with hobbyists in both the United States (including with some members of the famous Homebrew Computer Club of Silicon Valley) and in Canada. Their early popularity was primarily due to the fact that MIL supplied, free of charge, a copy of the MF8008 Applications Manual (which included the software listing), and that the boards were readily available from Space Circuits, a company located in Waterloo, Ontario, for a reasonable cost. Fully assembled MOD-8s and MOD-80s were also available from Moducomp Inc. of Brockville, ON, Great Northern Computers (GNC) of Ottawa, ON and Mini Micro Mart located in Syracuse, NY.
These computers were easy to build, expand, and experiment with. According to a Mini Micro Mart flyer, the MOD-8 was a straight forward design that used a minimum of components, and provided for a good deal of expansion (using tri-state buffers). It was designed around a TTY (ASR 33) as the I/O device, without a front panel (such as the Altair and IMSAI had).
In the mid-1970s, the MOD-8 and the MOD-80 microcomputers were very popular ‘starter’ computers with hobbyists in both the United States (including with some members of the famous Homebrew Computer Club of Silicon Valley) and in Canada. Their early popularity was primarily due to the fact that MIL supplied, free of charge, a copy of the MF8008 Applications Manual (which included the software listing), and that the boards were readily available from Space Circuits, a company located in Waterloo, Ontario, for a reasonable cost. Fully assembled MOD-8s and MOD-80s were also available from Moducomp Inc. of Brockville, ON, Great Northern Computers (GNC) of Ottawa, ON and Mini Micro Mart located in Syracuse, NY.
These computers were easy to build, expand, and experiment with. According to a Mini Micro Mart flyer, the MOD-8 was a straight forward design that used a minimum of components, and provided for a good deal of expansion (using tri-state buffers). It was designed around a TTY (ASR 33) as the I/O device, without a front panel (such as the Altair and IMSAI had).
What is this Mod 80?
If you want to go to upgrade to the newer 8080 processor, all you needed to do, was drop in a new CPU board (Mod 80-1), eliminate the buffer board (Mod 8-3), and it was basically an 8080 system. There was also a jumper board to add, and new software of course (Monitor 80). The MOD 80-1 CPU board was developed by Robert Swartz of Highland Park, Illinois, in 1975. The board was also manufactured by Space Circuits.
What Happened after MIL's Demise?
According to Mini Micro Mart's "Newsletter Special - C101 A-5/75", which was sent out to correct some misinformation which was printed in the April 15, 1975 edition of the "Micro 8 Users Newsletter", the "PC boards for the MOD-8 were never made or sold by MIL. They are still in plentiful supply and will continue to be available for an indefinite period". Space Circuits continued to manufacture and sell to distributors all these boards for many years afterwards, which is why this computer did not die with the company. In fact I have a receipt listing various Mod 8 boards purchased from Space Circuits dated from May 1977.
As stated in that same edition of the "Micro 8 Users Newsletter" mentioned above, the demise of MIL was loss "to the Canadian Government of millions of dollars, and loss to us of our price competitive 2nd source for 8008 and 8080 microcomputer chips as well as the Monitor-8 PROM, RAMs and other things.” Unfortunately this seemed to be the way of things in this country. I can't help but think of the similarities of this event and that of the cancellation of the Avro Arrow in 1959. I guess that is what happens when people with little vision, are in control of things they don't understand!
As stated in that same edition of the "Micro 8 Users Newsletter" mentioned above, the demise of MIL was loss "to the Canadian Government of millions of dollars, and loss to us of our price competitive 2nd source for 8008 and 8080 microcomputer chips as well as the Monitor-8 PROM, RAMs and other things.” Unfortunately this seemed to be the way of things in this country. I can't help but think of the similarities of this event and that of the cancellation of the Avro Arrow in 1959. I guess that is what happens when people with little vision, are in control of things they don't understand!
NOTE: I may use the terms MOD8, MOD-8, Mod 8, Mod-8 (or 80) etc., interchangeably throughout this site. Even in the official documentation, the spelling is not consistent.
Last updated on March 3, 2019.
