Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
a computer terminal consisting primarily of a keyboard and a
display. The keyed information could be stored on an external
memory medium such as a magnetic drum or magnetic tape.
The host computer would then pick up the stored information
directly from that external memory, rather than wait for the
deck of sorted cards to be punched and fed into it.
There were significant advantages to such an arrangement.
Before processing, the data keyed in by an operator could be
verified, updated, deleted, or even sorted and combined with
other data already saved in the system's memory. There would
be no need for expensive punch card equipment such as card
readers, punchers, or sorters. In addition, multiple terminals
could be connected to a single host computer. But, as Kutt used
to say, “You have to look at the practical side of the develop-
ment. You cannot build something just because it is neat.” He
had to wait until the mid-1960s for the Key-Edit system, as he
called his first invention, to become an economically sound con-
cept. Then magnetic drums and tapes came down in cost, and
Digital Equipment Corporation introduced the
PDP
-8 mini-
computer - a small computer that Kutt needed to control all the
operations of the terminals of his data entry system.
“My arrangement [with Queen's] was that I'd be able to set up
my own company in parallel,” said Kutt, “without jeopardizing
my own position in the department. I had already developed
the idea of a key-to-drum product and wanted to bring such a
product to the marketplace.”
2
While at Queen's, Kutt teamed up with Donald Pamenter to
form his first Company, Consolidated Computer Services Ltd
(incorporated in 1969 under the name of Consolidated Com-
puter Inc.), to develop and manufacture a novel, fully computer-
ized data entry system named the Key-Edit 100. Multiple data
entry terminals of the Key-Edit (called key-stations) were con-
nected to a shared
PDP
-8 minicomputer which controlled all
the data entry and editing functions of the Key-Edit. Almost
