The MCM Collection at YUCoM

Historical Note: The MCM/70 computer, designed by a Canadian company Micro Computer Machines Inc. (MCM) in the period between 1972 and 74, is the earliest example of a microcomputer manufactured specifically for personal use. MCM was among the first companies to fully recognize, articulate, and act upon the immense potential of microprocessor technology for the development of a new generation of cost effective computing systems. The MCM/70 was followed by the MCM/700, /800, /900, the MCM Power and MicroPower computers.

Scope and Content: The MCM Collection is an archive documenting the personal computer development activities at MCM. The collection consists of six main categories: hardware, software, user manuals and guides, corporate documents, promotional material, photograph and oral history libraries.

Acquisition: The objects in the collection have been donated by A. Arpen, R. Bernecky, L. Gladstone, M. Kutt, J. Laraya, G. Ramer, R. Rea, G. Seeds, M. Smyth, Z. Stachniak, and J. Woods.

Index Terms: microcomputer, personal computer, MCM/70, MCM/700, MCM/800, MCM/900, MCM-Power, MCM/APL, APL

HARDWARE

MCM/70 computer
MCM/70 power supply
early MCM/70 ROM board
MCM/800 computer, Model 808
MCM/900 computer, Model 924
MCM Micro Power computer, Model 524
Memory board from the rack-mounted MCM/70 prototype
DDS-1000 Diskette Subsystem
MPD-1000 Diskette Subsystem
MCM printer, Model MCP 132 N

SOFTWARE

MCM/70 Mathematics Library, May 7, 1974
MCM/70 Statistics Library, May 7, 1974
MCM/70 Finance Library, May 7, 1974
MCM/70 Electricity and Electrical Engineering Library, May 7, 1974
MCM/70 Fun and Games Library, May 7, 1974
APL A* code listings , June 4, 1980

MANUALS and GUIDES

MCM/70 Introductory Manual, Micro Computer Machines (1973)
J. Morgan Smyth, MCM/70 User's Guide, Micro Computer Machines (1974) (spiral bounded preprint)
J. Morgan Smyth, MCM/70 User's Guide, Micro Computer Machines, Toronto and Kingston (1974)
MCM/70 Desk Top Computer, Distributor Service Manual, Preliminary issue, Micro Computer Machines, September 1974
MCP-132 Printer User's Guide, rev. 1, June 1, 1977
SCI-1200 Communications Sub-System, Installation Instructions and Reference Manual, Micro Computer Machines, (1976?)
MCM Computers System 800: Using The MCM Computer as a Terminal and Transferring Data to and from APL Plus, manual nr. 018 033, rev. AA, January 1978
DDS-1000 Diskette Drive User's Manual, MCM Computers Ltd., rev. AA, October 1978
TEXT/900 Word Processing System, MCM Computers Ltd., rev. AC, November 1978
MCM LIB/8 System Documentation [describes a collection of APL functions which facilitate the creation and maintenance of a library of user application packages for the MCM/800], Micro Computer Machines (197?)
FAS: Financial Accounting System User's Manual, MCM Computers Ltd. (197?)
Fast Functions on the MCM/900, MCM Computers Ltd. (197?)
FAS: Financial MCM System/900 Utilities Manual, MCM Computers Ltd., rev. AA, February 1979

Communications Subsystem Reference Manual, rev. AB, MCM Computers Ltd., March 1979

MCM/900 User's Manual, MCM Computers Ltd., rev. AC, May 1979

TEXT/900 With Data Files, Supplementary Documentation, MCM Computers Ltd., rev. AA, July 1979

CAS-900 Client Accounting System, MCM Computers Ltd., September 19, 1979

DCS: Data Communication System User's Guide, version 3, MCM Computers Ltd., April 1980

Small Business System: Programmer's Reference Manual, version 1, MCM Computers Ltd., August 1980

MCM/APL User's Guide, preliminary release, MCM Computers Ltd., September 1980

Client Accounting System, General Ledger, Accounting Reports , MCM Computers Ltd., February 1981

Client Accounting System, Time and Charges , MCM Computers Ltd., February 1981

[]ZZ System Functions User's Guide, preliminary release, MCM Computers Ltd., March 31, 1981

Power Mail: Message Processing Facility, MCM, May 1981

POWER Utilities User's Guide, preliminary release, MCM Computers Ltd., June 1981

CORPORATE DOCUMENTS

1971:

Kutt Systems, Inc., Micro Computer Machines Inc., and MCM Computers Ltd. corporate data, Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Toronto, file number 251340 (copy on micro-fish)
Intel's Invoice for: SIM4-01, MP7-01, and MCS-4 chip set to be sent to Mers Kutt, December 28, 1971
Intel's Form of Invoice for: SIM4-01, MP7-01, and MCS-4 chip set to be sent to Mers Kutt, signed by Hank Smith, December 28, 1971

1972:

Intel, Shipping Request for SIM4-01, SIM8-01, MP7-02, to be delivered to Mers Kutt, May 12, 1972
Intel, Packing Slip for SIM4-01, SIM8-01, MP7-02, to be delivered to Mers Kutt, May 12, 1972
Intel's Form of Invoice for: SIM4-01, SIM8-01, MP7-02, to be sent to Kutt Systems Inc., May 12, 1972
Intel's Form of Invoice for: SIM8-01 to be sent to Kutt Systems Inc., May 23, 1972
Minutes of the Special General Meeting of the Shareholders of KUTT SYSTEMS INC., Saturday, November 11, 1972, 1 page
Micro Computer Machines Inc., 1972 Financial Statements (draft), 7 pages
Letter from Hal Fenney (Intel) to Mers Kutt, October 4, 1972 [re SIM8-01 board], 1 page
Note from Hank Smith (Intel) to Mers Kutt, October 4, 1972 [re SIM8-01 board], 1 page

1973:

Agreement to Purchase and Transfer Stock, March 7, 1973?
Receipt for MCM shares purchase, April 5, 1973
Agreement between G. Ramer and M. Kutt, May 16, 1973, 4 pages
Letter to MCM shareholders, August 24, 1973, signed Mers Kutt, President, 2 pages
Letter from Micro Computer Machines to Canadian Consulates, Novembe 1, 1973, signed Mers Kutt, President, 2 pages
Letter to MCM shareholders, Nov. 1973, signed Mers Kutt, President, 1 page
Micro Computer Machines Inc., 1973 Interim Financial Statements (unaudited), 6 pages
Micro Computer Machines Inc., 1973 Financial Statements, 6 pages

1974:

MCM corporate information, 31 pages, 1974
Letter to potential users of MCM products, February 1974, signed by Peter J. Wolfe, Manager, Business Systems, 1 page.
Micro Computer Machines Inc., Purchase Order no 10199 [for Intel's MCS8s], March 1, 1974, 1 page
Data Device Corporation price list for MCM products, May 13, 1974, 1 page
Micro Computer Machines Inc., Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, May 17, 1974, signed ?, Secretary
Data Device Corporation quotation for an MCM/70 system, May 21, 1974, signed Ted Berg, Vice President, 1 page
Letter to shareholders of Micro Computer Machines Inc,. May 28, 1974, signed Mers Kutt, President, 2 pages
Letter from Micro Computer Machines Inc. to APL'ers, 1974(?), signed Ted Berg, President, 1 page

1975:

Letter to potential users of MCM products, 1975(?) [re the announcement of the IBM 5100], signed Ted Berg, President, 1 page
Letter from Ted Berg to Sales Representatives "Notice of Upcoming Product Features", November 27, 1975, signed T.M. Berg, 1 page

1976:

Letter from Borden and Elliot to Gordon Ramer, November 26, 1976, 2 pages
Micro Computer Machines Inc., Common Shares, issued in 1976
MCM/700 Configuration, technical specification, May 7, 1976

1977:

Letter from Borden and Elliot to Gordon Ramer, March 9, 1977, 2 pages
Agreement to Purchase and Transfer Ownership of Stock, October 29, 1977

1978:

Powerful New Business Computer System Introduced by MCM, MCM Computers Ltd. press release, 1978, 1 page
MCM Computers Ltd., 1978 Auditors' Report. 8 pages
Distributor Price List, September 27, 1978, 1 page
Interactive Computer Systems, Inc., Price List, November 1, 1978, 2 pages
System 800/900 Actuarial/Insurance Users, November 1978, 1 page
Distributorship Agreement, 1978, 12 pages

1979:

1978 Auditors' Report, February 13, 1979, 8 pages
Canadian Price List, MCM, March 1, 1979, 2 pages
Distributor Price List, MCM, March 1, 1979, 1 page
Letter to shareholders of MCM Computers Ltd, May 24, 1979, 2 pages, signed C.M. Williams, President
Notice of Correction, letter to shareholders of MCM Computers Ltd, June 4, 1979, signed B.C. Wallace, Chairman, 1 page
MCM Computers Ltd., Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, May 25, 1979, signed by W.S. Robertson, Secretary, 1 page
MCM Computers Ltd., Proxy, May 1979, 1 page
Representative System 800/900 Installations, May 1979, 3 pages
Canadian Price List, MCM, July 1, 1979, 2 pages
Distributor Price List, MCM, July 1, 1979, 2 pages
TAS-900 Pricing, November 26, 1979, 1 page
Cost Justification for the DMS/FAS on the System 900, MCM, 1979(?), 2 pages

MARKETING MATERIALS

1973:

Media/Press Release, September 28, 1973, 4 pages [the announcement of the MCM/70]
MCM/70 Desk Top Computer, Preannouncement, Confidential Information [promotional brochure with an MCM/70 prototype on the first page], 2 double-sided pages, August 1973
MCM/70 Desk Top Computer [promotional brochure with an MCM/70 prototype on the first page], 1 double-sided page, 1973
The MCM/70T Intelligent Terminal [promotional brochure], 1 page, November(?) 1973
A Sample of Quotations from Letters Received, November 1973, 2 pages [quotations from letters received by MCM re the MCM/70]
Collage of articles on the MCM/70 prepared by MCM for shareholders, 1973, 6 pages
Inquiries & Responses Received After Trip [to Europe with the MCM/70 prototype], 2 pages

1974:

MCM/70 Desk Top Computer [promotional brochure with the production model of the MCM/70 on the front page], 4 double-sided pages [includes information on the MCM/70 hardware, preliminary specifications of the MCM/APL interpreter, information on the MCM/70 in science, business, and education], February 1974
The MCM/70 in education [promotional brochure], 2 double-sided pages, 1974?
MCM/70 Desk Top Computer [promotional brochure with the production model of the MCM/70 on the front page], 5 double-sided pages [includes information on the MCM/70 hardware, preliminary specifications of the MCM/APL interpreter, information on MCM as well as on the MCM/70 in science, business, and education], 1974
MCM/70 Desk Top Computer, MCM/APL [promotional brochure with the production model of the MCM/70 on the front page], 5 double-sided pages [includes information on the MCM/70 hardware, preliminary specifications of the MCM/APL interpreter, information on MCM as well as on the MCM/70 in science, business, and education], 1974

1975:

Introducing The Smallest, Least Expensive, Stand-Alone APL Desktop Computer MCM/700 [promotional brochure], 6 pages
MCM Sales Reference, 21 pages, 1975?
SDS-250/DDS-500 Diskette Subsystems [promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1975?
PMR-400 Card Reader [promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1975?
MCP-132 Printer/Plotter [promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1975?
Application Libraries [list of software for the /700 system], 4 pages

1976:

MCM News, Newsletter, vol 1(?) [most likely published in the early 1976], 8 pages
Micro Computer Machines, Inc., Distributor Information Kit, Micro Computer Machines, 1976
System 800, [MCM Computers promotional brochure for the MCM/800 system], 6 pages
System Software" [information on software for the MCM/800], 2 pages
Applications Library Summary [information on software libraries for the] MCM/800, 4 pages
PVAS A new concept for Performing Pension Actuarial Valuations and Pension Plan Administration [promotional brochure for the /800 system], 6 pages
TEXT 800, Word Processing with System 800 [promotional brochure for the /800 system], 3 pages
TEXT 800, Word Processing with System 800 [promotional brochure for the /800 system], 2 pages
VDU-9620 Video Display For System 800 [promotional brochure], 5 pages
VDU-9620 Video Display For System 800 [promotional brochure], 2 pages
MCP-132 Printer/Plotter [promotional brochure], 2 pages
DDS-500 Diskette System [promotional brochure], 2 pages
Here's what other Actuaries say about the MCM/800 system [promotional brochure], 6 pages
MCM's System 800: the combination of data processing and word processing [promotional brochure], 1 page
The MCM/800 System Software, 2 pages

1977:

MCM FI-PLAN [the MCM/800 promotional brochure], 2 pages
System 800 Demonstartion Package, Rev. AA, October 1977, 9 pages
O. Zimmerman, MCM/800 and APL Gain Acceptance in Insurance Applications at Crown Life, 9 pages

1978:

MCM FI-PLAN: Sample Projection , 6 pages
MCM 800 vs Timesharing , 6 pages
If you spend more [...] [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 2 pages
APL and Virtual Memory [...] [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 2 pages
MCM 800 vs IBM 5110, 2 pages
Introducing.... [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 4 pages
MCM Computers: System 900 [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 4 pages
Businesses today are faced with a maze of problems [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1978?
APL and Virtual Memory -- two main reasons why... [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1978?

1979:

DCS/900 Data Communications with System/900 [promotional brochure], 1 page, 1979?
AID/900 Utilities and Libraries for System/900 [promotional brochure], 1 page, 1979?
LIB/900 Program Development with System/900 [promotional brochure], 1 page, 1979?
PLOT/900 Plotting Software for System/900 [promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1979?
MCM Computers System/900 [promotional brochure], 4 pages, 1979?
System 900: The Affordable Solution [promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1979?
CAS-900 Client Accounting System [promotional brochure], 4 pages, 1979?
TEXT/900 Word Processing with System/900 [promotional brochure for the /800 system], 3 pages, 1979?
TEXT/900 Word Processing with System/900 [promotional brochure for the /800 system], 1 page, 1979?

1980:

Power [MCM Power promotional brochure], 4 pages, 1980?
Product Data Sheet and Hardware Tech Spec [brochures for the MCM Power], 2 pages, 1980?

PHOTOGRAPHS

The photograph of the MCM/70, b/w original, c. 1973.
The announcement of the MCM/70, Toronto, Sep. 25, 1973 -- b/w original, Sep. 25, 1973.
The photograph of the MCM/800 with CRT -- b/w original, 197?.
The photograph of the MCM/900 business system -- b/w original, 197?.
The photograph of the MCM/900 computer -- b/w original, 197?.
The MCM/700 production line, MCM's manufacturing facility in Kingston. Photograph by Jose Laraya(?), 1975(?), scan

DDS-500, photograph by Jose Laraya(?), 1975(?), scan

3 photographs of the MCM/800 by Jose Laraya(?), 1976(?), scan

6 photographs of MCM team at York University, November 2001 (photographs of Andre Arpin, Don Genner, Mers Kutt, Morgan Smyth, Gord Ramer). Photographs by Z. Stachniak

MCM DIGITAL LIBRARY

Andre Arpin speaking at York University, Toronto, March 28, 2003 (audio)
Andre Arpin, MCM/70 -- The First Portable Microcomputer presentation, York University, Toronto, March 28, 2003 (PowerPoint)
interview with Andre Arpin, Kingston, April 10, 2001 (audio)
interview with Don Genner, Guelph, August 31, 2001 (audio)
interview with Mers Kutt, Toronto, March 1, 2001 (audio)
interview with Mers Kutt, Toronto, March 6, 2001 (audio)
Mers Kutt speaking at York University, Toronto, October 24, 2001 (audio)
interview with Mers Kutt, Toronto, November 11, 2002 (audio)
interview with Jose Laraya, Toronto, September 13, 2001 (audio)
interview with Jose Laraya, Toronto, September 28, 2001 (audio)
interview with Gordon Ramer, Toronto, March 27, 2001 (audio)
interview with Reg Rea, Stoney Creek, October 20, 2005 (audio)
interview with Morgan Smyth, Toronto, July 25, 2001 (audio)
interview with John Woods, Milton, October 22, 2008 (audio)
e-mail communications with former users of MCM hardware

BOOKS, RESEARCH PAPERS, ARTICLES

M. Kutt, microcomputer development notes, (1972), 36 pages
G. Ramer(?) York APL Users Guide, APL Systems, November 15, 1971
J. Morgan Smyth, York APL, Ryerson Polytechnic Institute, Toronto (1972)
J. Morgan Smyth, EASY and AVS: The Two Auxiliary Storage Subsystems of the MCM/70. In Proc. of the APL 75 Congress, Pisa, Italy (1975), pp. 313--319
A. Arpin, External Allocation System (EASY) / A Virtual System (AVS). In Proc. of the APL 75 Congress, Pisa, Italy (1975)
R.F. Bauer, Implementation of APL on Small Computers. In Proc. of the APL 79 Conference, Rochester N.Y. (1979)
APL: Good For The Brain, ETI Canada (Electronics Today International Magazine), March 1979, pp. 22-29.
B.J. Bleackley and J. LaPrairie, Entering the Computer Age. The Computer Industry in Canada: The First Thirty Years, The Book Society of Canada Ltd, 1982
J. Chevreau, The Third Coming of Mers Kutt, Report on Business Magazine, November 1985, pp. 111--118
Z. Stachniak, The Making of the MCM/70 Microcomputer, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 25, issue 2 (April-June 2003), pp. 62--75.
Z. Stachniak, The MCM/70 Microcomputer, Core 4.1, The Computer History Museum (September 2003), pp. 6--12
A. Wahl, Kutt's last stand, Canadian Business (October 11--24, 2006), pp. 56--64.

OTHER

MCM digital cassettes
I love APL, MCM sticker
Pavement Management System, manual, MCM/POWER, 83 pages
Seven files of various software printouts
Intel 4004 uComputer; the first single board computer received by MCM from Intel in 1972.
Intel Intellec 4 and Micro Computer Modules: Functional and Electrical Specifications, Intel 1974, from MCM library.
MCS-8 Microcomputer Set, 8008 8 Bit Parallel Central Processing Unit Users Manual, rev. 4, Intel 1973, from MCM library.
Silicon Gate MOS 8080: Single Chip Eight-bit Parallel Cantral Processing Unit 8080, Intel, February 1974, from MCM library.
Intel OEM Price List , Intel, August 19, 1974, from MCM library.
MCM's ten-th anniversary coffee mug.