Draft:Butler in a box

The Butler In A Box was a prototype electronic home controller system developed in 1983 by professional magician Gus Searcy and computer programmer Franz Kavan. The idea behind the system was to integrate emerging computer technology with novel wireless devices to create a product capable of controlling various electrical devices within a home.

Development and History

The concept of the Butler In A Box emerged when Gus Searcy, known for his magic performances, was questioned by friends about why he couldn't command lights to come on as effortlessly as he performed magic tricks. This led Searcy and Kavan to collaborate on the development of an electronic controller named "Sidney" to fulfill this vision.

According to a report in the March 1987 issue of Popular Science, the Mastervoice Butler in a Box claimed to be the "World’s first artificial intelligent environmental control system for the home." It boasted features such as voice activation, the ability to call 16 different people, provide home security, understand four languages, and control electronics through voice commands. However, despite its futuristic promises, the device faced challenges, including a lengthy setup process and a high price tag of $1,495 (equivalent to about $4,100 today).

Legacy and Impact

The Butler In A Box garnered attention as an early precursor to modern voice-activated virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Voice. In a retrospective analysis by The Awesomer, the Butler in a Box is highlighted as an early foray into artificial intelligence for the home. Despite lacking the connectivity features of modern smart devices such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or internet access, the Butler in a Box demonstrated the potential for voice-controlled home automation.

Popular Science's Kevin, in a YouTube video featured on The Awesomer's website, explores the Butler in a Box to explain its functionality and operation. The video provides insights into how the device operated in an era before widespread internet connectivity and advanced wireless technologies.

A deeper exploration into the internal workings of the Butler In A Box sheds light on its sophisticated design and security features. Inside the device, a UV programmable Intel 8748 microcontroller, along with a pair of 27256 EPROMs, handled various functionalities. The most intriguing component was a large black box connected to the main board, likely containing the main CPU and storing the PIN code on a ROM chip for access control purposes.

Technical Insights

In a detailed exploration, forum.vcfed.org members embarked on a process to uncover the secrets hidden within this security module. Despite the challenging task of depopulating and cleaning the module, the effort yielded insights into its internal components, including EPROMs and additional chips such as an SN74HCT245N octal bus transceiver and an AM27A21PC bipolar PROM. This technical insight provides a deeper understanding of the inner workings and security mechanisms of the Butler In A Box, shedding light on its advanced design for its time.

* note, device can not run doom