Nielsen7 / Big Holes

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.

This computer, Nielsen 7, was sold around 2008 to Wigton Museum/Timeline Computer Archive,  which has a world-class collection, but is still fundraising for a permanent display location.  Currently, most of its artifacts are in storage, with occasional pop-up displays.   This is distinctive because of the very large holes drilled in the top, bigger than other holed computers from the Nielsen Electronics Institute.  

It's also interesting as it's the only CTI labeled computer, which also has the later CTI produced circuit board, and it has the serial number "501" suggesting CTI began a different serial number sequence for computers they made.  Other CTI machines may have serial numbers on the printed circuit board, but they may be hidden under a round white paper label.   (Nielson8 is CTI branded, but has a definite earlier Kenbak assembled PC board, and is serial numbered 203)