One of the things I’m going to be missing at Maker Faire is this Big Mess of Wires (BMOW), which is a totally hand built CPU. Steve Chamberlin designed and built a custom 8-bit CPU from dozens of simple logic chips primarily using basic 7400-series logic. No 6502, Z-80, etc. After that he added on USB, Video, a 24×2 character text LCD, and a keyboard. The CPU itself is built on a Augat wire-wrap board.
Wire-wrap construction was used for easy of building and correction, also wire-wrap tends to be a better connection the soldered connections. Wire-wrap was used a lot in the 60′s in computers, radios, radar, and telephone exchanges. All in all there are over 2500 wire-wrap connections in the BMOW and each of those connection was hand wrapped around it’s post. All those connection become a form of abstract art.
The computers CPU runs at blistering 2MHz, it has 512KB of RAM, and 512KB of ROM. It draws 10 Watts, at 5V. Its VGA video output is 512×480 two color, or 128×240 256 color. And has a three-voice programmable sound generator. The keyboard input is a standard PC keyboard with PS/2 connector. For detail pics and build info check out his site.
Via Wired.com
