The Rise and Fall of Heathkit – Part 3: The Microcomputer Kit Era

Chas Gilmore joined the Heath Company in 1966 as a design engineer in the company’s Scientific Instruments group. By 1976, he was director of engineering for Heath’s technical products, which included amateur radio, instrumentation, marine, automotive, and weather products. This article, Part 3 of a series, includes portions of an interview I conducted with Gilmore in October. This article picks up Gilmore’s narrative starting in 1976 and includes … Read More → "The Rise and Fall of Heathkit – Part 3: The Microcomputer Kit Era"

Never Out of Sync Again – How Driver uses AI to Instantly Decode Technology

My guest this week is Adam Tilton, co-founder and CEO of Driver! Adam and I discuss how Driver’s new AI-powered platform can help you navigate code, organize your assets and sync codebases with ease. We also investigate the benefits of automated updates, unified search and language specialization included in their platform and the role that reusable templates play in Driver’s AI-powered platform.

 

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Intelligently Transporting Electrical and Optical Signals

Back in the day, when computers ran standalone and there was no such thing as networks, I used to be reasonably confident that I had at least a vague understanding as to what was going on. Silicon chips talked to other silicon chips and circuit boards talked to other circuit boards using electrical signals travelling over copper wires. If you wanted to send a message over longer … Read More → "Intelligently Transporting Electrical and Optical Signals"

The Rise and Fall of Heathkit – Part 2: The 1960s through the mid-1970s

Chas Gilmore joined the Heath Company in 1966 as a design engineer in the company’s Scientific Instruments group and worked at the Heath Company on and off for more than two decades, eventually becoming VP of product development, marketing, and sales. This article includes portions of an interview I conducted with Gilmore in October. It covers the heyday of pre-computer Heathkits in the 1960s and 1970s.

< … Read More → "The Rise and Fall of Heathkit – Part 2: The 1960s through the mid-1970s"

There’s Exciting News on the Multi-Modal AI SoC Front

As is often the case, I’m amazed by how so many things seem to be interrelated and interconnected. I’m sorry… I feel an aside coming on… I cannot help myself… just saying “interconnected” reminds me of the book “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency,” which was written by the late great Douglas Adams.

As you may recall, Dirk is an unconventional … Read More → "There’s Exciting News on the Multi-Modal AI SoC Front"

The Rise and Fall of Heathkit – Part 1: Early Days

If you came of age in the 1960s or 1970s and then later became an EE, chances are you’re more than casually acquainted with Heathkit. Many engineers started their budding careers by building one or more kits made by the Heath Company. I certainly did. When I stumbled across a brief interview with Chas Gilmore, who joined the Heath Company in 1966 as a design engineer and … Read More → "The Rise and Fall of Heathkit – Part 1: Early Days"

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discussion
Posted on Nov 19 at 10:06am by Steven Leibson
JK, If you haven't written a book, you don't know. It's important to retain rights to your material if you can. You might well collect your writings into a book in the future, either just to have the satisfaction of becoming a book author or for the [relatively little] money. ...
Posted on Nov 19 at 7:35am by JK
“Hugo Gernsback – asked me, “Do you want to keep the book rights?” “Huh! What’s this?” I thought. Steve Leibson: The first time you’re asked that, you never know the answer. Chas Gilmore: Well, something in me said, “Yeah, sure.” And then, I went and consulted with Lou, because ...
Posted on Nov 18 at 12:49pm by cgilmore@groupgilmore.com
As with any company, very little is accomplished by a single, or even a few, individuals. Heath's entry into the personal kit computer business was no exception. With the H-8 in approved for development, I met with the Chief Engineer of one of the two test equipment engineering groups--Tom Yeager. ...
Posted on Nov 15 at 11:16am by Tie Plate
Lovin’ these remembrances of the Heath Co. My first kit was a receiver mainly designed for the hf band, but also (if memory serves) included AM broadcast band. Think it may have used an early-stage regenerative circuit for setting sensitivity level. Don’t remember the kit model no. That was ‘57 ...
Posted on Nov 15 at 9:21am by metasequoia
As a ham who started in the late 60's I would be very interested in another of your great articles with a view toward Heath ham radio efforts.
Posted on Nov 14 at 2:45pm by Steven Leibson
Hi Lizardflats, The interviews with Chas Gilmore discussed Heath's ham radio efforts from a business perspective, but we did not discuss the actual products in any detail. Gilmore is a ham, has been since high school, so I'm certain he could discuss Heath's ham products at length. If there's enough ...
Posted on Nov 13 at 10:44am by lizardflats
I got started in ham radio in the mid-70's while in high school building Heathkit gear starting with a CW transceiver and moving on to a larger receiver and transmitter. I hope you're going to cover Heathkit ham radio gear in an upcoming segment.
Posted on Nov 13 at 8:32am by Max Maxfield
When you've only seen a company from out outward facing side, it's amazing to hear the story of what was going on inside -- I can't wait for Part 3
Posted on Nov 13 at 8:24am by Max Maxfield
These days it's lack of time (in addition to lack of money LOL). I simply don't have enough hours in the day (said Max, sadly)
Posted on Nov 13 at 8:23am by Max Maxfield
OMG -- That is beautiful (but I doubt I could squeeze it into my office)
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