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 E.E. Edwards Estate, A. Arpen, R. Bernecky, R. Elliott, 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

• 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

• 1971:

• Hypothecation of Shares and Purchase of Shares Agreements Between Gordon Ramer and Merslau Kutt (December 28, 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
• Micro Computer Machines Inc., 1972 Financial Statements, 7 pages
• Micro Computer Machines Company Certificate from the Registry Office for the Registry Division of Toronto (April 17, 1972)

• 1973:

• Collection of design documents of two MCM/70 prototypes (April-July, 1973)
• Agreement to Purchase and Transfer Stock (March 7, 1973?)
• Receipt for MCM shares purchase (April 5, 1973)
• Portfolio of MCM Shareholder Documents (May 7 and May 14, 1973)
• Agreement between G. Ramer and M. Kutt, 4 pages (May 16, 1973)
  Letter to MCM shareholders, signed Mers Kutt, President, 2 pages (August 24, 1973)
• Letter from Micro Computer Machines to Canadian Consulates, signed Mers Kutt, President, 2 pages (November 1, 1973)
• Letter to MCM shareholders, signed Mers Kutt, President, 1 page (November 1973)
• Micro Computer Machines Inc., 1973 Interim Financial Statements (unedited), 6 pages
• Micro Computer Machines Inc., 1973 Financial Statements, 6 pages
• Collection of MCM corporate information documents (1973)
• Collection of Kutt Systems Inc. and MCM Inc. Corporate Documents (1973)

• 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

• 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
• Promotional letter from Peter J. Wolfe, Marketing Manager, to potential MCM clients, 2 pages.
• MCM price list, 1 page.

• 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 Demonstration 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?
• MCM User Support Notes, May 15, 1980 -- March 20, 1981.

• date unknown:
• APL: A Productivity Language, MCM, 7 pages.

• 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

• G. Ramer(?) York APL Users Guide, APL Systems, November 15, 1971
• M. Kutt, microcomputer development notes, (1972), 36 pages
• 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.