retroelectro
References
Hawaii wrote and published many reports and documents about different work done on the machine over the years. The BCC-500 remained operational until January 1980, when it was retired. A backup of the BCC-500 system from 1979 is available online if you would like to see more of the file structure.
Despite facing financial hurdles and operational challenges, the dedication of its developers ensured that the BCC-500 set the stage for future advancements in computing. The BCC-500’s integration into the ALOHA System marked a pivotal moment in the history of computer networking. Its deployment in Hawaii, under the ARPA grant, showcased the potential of wireless communication and satellite networking. This groundbreaking work connected remote terminals across the islands and linked Hawaii to the ARPANET, paving the way for modern internet technologies. The BCC- 500 remained a vital component of the ALOHA System until its decommissioning in 1980, leaving behind a legacy of innovation that continues to influence contemporary computing and networking solutions. Lars Brinkhoff (@LarsBrinkhoff) and Al Kossow were instrumental in locating resources for this article, and their assistance is appreciated.
1. P. S. a. P. Meagher, “Project Genie: Berkeley’s Piece of the Computer Revolution,” Forefront - College of Engineering - University of California Berkeley, Fall 2007. 2. Scientific Data Systems, Technical Manual - Computer Model 930, Santa Monica, Ca, 1966. 3. “Genie has a Multi-Language Structure for Simultaneous Use,” The Weekly Newsletter. 4. The New York Times, “Market’s Wary of Peace Move,” Butte The Montana Standard, 1969. 5. W. L. Harrison, “Supervisor’ Manual,” 1969. 6. B. Lampson, “Some Remarks on a Large New Time-Sharing System,” Berkeley Computer Corporation, Berkeley, 1970. 7. V. Lieberman, “U.C Makes High-Risk Investments,” The Faily Californian, 1970. 8. “Control Data Corp. v. International Business MacH. Corp., 306 F. Supp. 839 (D. Minn. 1969),” US District Court for the District of Minnesota, 1969. 9. United States District Court, New York, “IBM 1956 Consent Decree,” 1956. 10. B. Ziegler, “IBM Reaches Settlement To End Consent Decree,” The Wall Street Journal, 1996. 11. N. Abramson, “The Aloha System - Another Alternative for Computer Communications,” University of Hawaii, 1970. 12. Panel, “Artifact Details: ALOHA Panel Oral History (Catalog 102802997),” Computer History Museum, 2023. 13. N. Abramson, “The ALOHA System (Jan 1972),” University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1972. 14. N. Abramson, “Final Technical Report for Contract Number NAS2-6700,” University of Hawaii, Honolulu, 1974. 15. “CPPI Inflation Calculator,” Bureau of Labor Statitsics. 16. S. Yasinin, “Aloha Communications System Connects Hawaii to ARPANET,” Computer World, 1973.
1963 ARPA Involvement with Project GENIE Begins at UC Berkeley. 1966 Release of the SDS-940.
1964
Project Genie receives the SDS-930.
1969
Xerox acquires Scientific Data Systems.
1970 BCC received $1M investment from UC Berkeley.
From GENIE to ALOHA The BCC-500, a pioneering system
Figure 6: Aloha Communications System Connects Hawaii to Arpanet Image source: Computerworld Volume 7, Issue 15 on April 11, 1973
1970
BCC loses contracts and funding from DPF&G.
unattended, the system has maintained an overall uptime of approximately 80%.
in the evolution of computing history, was a testament to the ingenuity and collaborative efforts of the Berkeley Computer Corporation and later the University of Hawaii. Initially conceived under the shadow of Project GENIE, the BCC-500’s journey from an ambitious project to a fully operational system encapsulates a significant era of innovation and development in time-sharing and networked computing.
1971 BCC goes out of business.
1971 ARPA awards a contract for the ALOHA System.
1973: Aloha communications system connects Hawaii to ARPANET Not long after coming online, in April 1973, the BCC-500 was connected to a NASA Satellite, making it the first operational satellite node on ARPANET. Otherwise, it was connected to a node at UCLA through trans- oceanic phone lines. Over the next several years, many pieces of the machine were improved. Graduate students at the University of
1972 The BCC-500 is disassembled and shipped to the University of Hawaii. 1974 The BCC-500’s schedule is expanded to 24 hours a day.
1973
The BCC-500 first becomes operational as a complete working system.
Figure 7: ARPANET Directory Listing, 1974
1980
The BC-500 is decommissioned.
we get technical
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