Pidp-8: A Pdp-8 Minicomputer On Raspberry Pi
About the project
Everyone wanted a PDP-8 minicomputer. Well, in 1968. Blinkenlights! Just boot the SD image on a Pi, maybe add the front panel later on.
Project info
Difficulty: Moderate
Platforms: Adafruit, Raspberry Pi
Estimated time: 5 hours
License: GNU General Public License, version 3 or later (GPL3+)
Items used in this project
Hardware components
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Story
Project goal: to create a faithful, low-cost replica of the PDP-8/I minicomputer (1968). Operated through a Blinkenlights front panel, it should bring back the user experience from the past. Replicating all stages in its development: from 1968 to 1979, from teletype & paper tape all the way through to hard disks and multi-user systems.
See my PiDP-8 web site for full details on the kit.
Why?
Why not? To illustrate how utterly unique the PDP-8 was in the evolution of computing. Born in the era of paper tape chewing, front panel programmed dinosaurs, it evolved all the way to running a proper operating system (even multi-user virtual machines!) from 10MB disk cartridges. It was pretty much the prototype of a personal computer.
How?
There's 3 stages to this project:
- Software-Only: just boot the SD card image on your Pi. Note: only for the Pi 3, install the tarball on a standard Raspbian image. The Pi will boot up in 10 seconds as a PDP-8 terminal. Read the simh manual on how to operate it without physical front panel. Download link: bootable SD card (also runs on the hardware versions!)
- Low-cost hardware hack: insert the Pi to the "Blinkenlights" front panel PCB and you have a fully functional hardware replica. Board can be made from the Gerbers by OSHpark, Seeedstudio, Elecrow or anyone else. Or buy it from me ($15, leave a message here).
- Fancy version: I made this into a $145 kit, with pretty acrylic front panel, custom switches and bamboo case. See here (link) for details on when the next batch of parts is made.
![](https://www.electromaker.io/uploads/images/projects/519/story/medium/Oscar_Vermeulen_story_image_1531850553035000.png)
What to do with it?
See here (link) for details. In summary: control the world, or play the very first video game (spacewar), or hook up 8 terminal sessions to run your company. It's a minicomputer... The PDP-8 is also an incredibly good way to learn about how a computer works at the lowest level. Because it is a very simple machine, yet has loads of good software.
Details:
Because a Raspberry Pi is rather more powerful than you need to replicate a PDP-8, it's dual-mode. Whilst the PDP-8 is running and blinking its front panel, you're free to use the Pi Inside to do whatever else you want to do with a Pi. Use it as a file server, VPN access point, or whatever. Just with a very blinky front end.
The PiDP will accept a classic serial terminal, or ssh terminal sessions from a modern PC. puTTY is fine, but a CRT emulator (cool-retro-term) is recommended to recreate the proper vintage atmosphere:
![](https://www.electromaker.io/uploads/images/projects/519/story/medium/Oscar_Vermeulen_story_image_1531850554095631.jpg)
See my PiDP-8 web site for full details.
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