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not as efficient, not the 80-90 per cent efficiency that
the switching power supply [aimed at], maybe something
like 60 per cent, so there is a bit more heat, perhaps you
needed a fan.
The variants of the advanced power supply either did not
work properly or worked briefly as prototypes but could not
be converted into a stable product. By mid-1974, Kutt's frustra-
tion with the power supply situation reached the point that he
urged the board of directors to take Edwards off the project.
In his corporate notes, he wrote that he could easily sell the
computer with its original simple power supply. At this stage,
he noted, “who needs the advanced power supply?” But despite
Kutt's technical and entrepreneurial knowledge, the board de-
cided against his advice and allowed the advanced power supply
project to continue. This was a surprising decision in view of
MCM
's worsening financial situation. According to Kutt, it was
Wallace who, influenced by Edwards, was continuously provid-
ing an optimistic assessment of the power supply project to the
directors. Kutt, already isolated on the board, could only watch
in frustration.
The subsequent reports from Edwards pushed the comple-
tion of the supply from May to June, then from June to July.
Concerned with the delays, Rea and Laraya decided to look for
an alternative, “brute force” power supply to be used with the
MCM
/70 in the event of further delays to the main power supply
project. They visited a power supply design house in Toronto
and provided it with specifications for an alternative power
supply for the
MCM
/70. “And I got a quote and, I think, even a
prototype,” recalled Rea. “I presented it to the executive com-
mittee [of managers] as a backup and I was thrown out … This
was sacrilege to suggest this kind of switching power supply.
So it died right there. But I think José and I kept it in the back-
ground, kept dealing with these [power supply] people, making
