User:Gradinka/Vitosha (computer)

"Vitosha" is the first Bulgarian computer. It was created by the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics within the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, in the early '60s.

The team behind that effort included B. Sendov, G. Alipiev, D. Bogdanov, D. Rachev, E. KArmakov, I. Yulzari, I. Stanchev, K. Boyanov, M. Dimitrova. R. Aslanyan, St. Pashev and others. Team lead was L. Iliev

The computer used binary system with fixed word length of 40 bits. For storage, a magnetic drum was used, which could store up to 4096 words. Power came from a 3-phase, 380V outlet, and it utilized a system of fans for cooling.

Physically, it was built as one 'block' 2m high by 4m wide which housed all electrical modules including drum storage. Approx 1500 vacuum tubes of type "ESS 862" were used, each with a life span of about 10,000hrs.

Input was via 5-channel continuous punch-card reader, and the output was to an electric typewriter.

An operator, using a control panel, is able to start, stop, power on or off the machine; to monitor the overall status, reset the system or move the information between registers.

After it went almost 100% over budget, the computer became fully operational in 1963. It was demoed at the "Bulgaria builds socialism" exhibition at Moscow in August 1963, where it was met with great interest.

By the end of 1964 the computer was decommissioned and later destroyed.

However it became one of the cornerstones in the electronics and IT industry in Bulgaria.

One module with 5 vacuum tubes survived and is now part of an exhibition at the museum of mathematics and informatics in Bulgaria.