Nielsen2

Provenance:  This is one of the eight computers which Robert Nielsen acquired in the 1970's.  Nielsen learned computer programming in the Navy, then opened up technical schools teaching programming, electronics, and even truck driving in Charleston, SC.  His technical school utilized electronic training kits from CTI Educational Products, so they approached him in 1973 to ask him to review the Kenbak-1 computer.  They were considering buying the Kenbak-1 production rights to modernize their educational offerings.  Nielsen absolutely loved the small computer.  He wanted to incorporate it into his computer curriculum.  He also worked with CTI to develop sales and training materials for the computers.  When CTI went bankrupt, he purchased all the Kenbak-1 computers and materials they had at auction.  All of Nielsen's 8 computers had ventilation holes drilled in the top of the case, as they would overheat and lock up otherwise.  Then when his technical school closed, he stored all eight of the computers and documents in large storage bins in his garage.  In the early 2000's, he contacted many museums in hopes of selling his computers, but they only wanted donations.  Finally, in 2003 he contacted Herbert Eisengruber who ran the Nova Scotia Computer Museum, who bought seven of his 8.  Eisengruber kept the seven computers on display for several years, until the museum closed, and he sold the computers individually.

Very little is known about this computer, Nielson2.   While at Nielsen's Electronic Institute, Robert Nielsen says the front panel switches were always getting broken off (they were glued to the back of the front panel) so someone replaced these buttons with blue switches.  It's not clear if these are momentary toggle switches, or pushbutton, but Robert Nielsen says he really didn't like the result, it changed the character too much.

When Herbert Eisengruber's Nova Scotia Computer Museum folded, this was sold this to an unknown buyer, and it is now reportedly owned by Lonnie Mimms, founder of the Computer Museum of America.  Since he has several, this computer has been in storage, and not seen in 20+ years.  

Only a couple low resolution photos are available, from Herbert Eisengruber's original museum web site, and he says he cannot find the original higher resolution photos.