{"id":19714,"date":"2024-10-16T14:29:16","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T18:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=19714"},"modified":"2026-06-22T15:03:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T19:03:26","slug":"vin2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin2\/","title":{"rendered":"Volker Craig VC404"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Volker Craig VC404\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\">Vintage Computing Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"volker-craig-vc404\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Volker Craig VC404<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250508_131408917-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"Cromenco Z-2D\" class=\"wp-image-21003\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250508_131408917-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250508_131408917-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250508_131408917-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250508_131408917-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250508_131408917-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250508_131408917-2048x1538.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250508_131408917-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250508_131408917-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Volker Craig VC404 was a Canadian-made video display terminal introduced in 1978, notable for its affordable design, 12-inch anti-glare screen displaying 24 lines of 80 characters, and robust RS232C serial connectivity, making it accessible to students and institutions at a time when video terminals were prohibitively expensive<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span> Its claim to fame lies in democratizing electronic information display, helping transition computing from paper-based workflows to screen-based interaction and establishing Canada as an early innovator in computer terminal technology, with global sales and a significant partnership with Samsung<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span> The VC404 was especially important in the history of computing for its role in making interactive computing more accessible and was widely adopted in Canada and internationally, cementing Volker-Craig\u2019s reputation as a pioneer in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169789978 BCX0\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong>: Volker-Craig Ltd., a Canadian company founded in Waterloo, Ontario, by University of Waterloo graduates Michael C. Volker and Ronald G. Craig<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: Video display terminal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Released<\/strong>: 1978<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost at release<\/strong>: ~$2,600 (adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: N\/A<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n    \n    <dl class=\"cu-description cu-component-updated\">\n        \n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-hardware-specifications\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Hardware Specifications\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-hardware-specifications\">\n            \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Processor<\/strong>: No microprocessor; the VC404 used discrete TTL logic for its operation (not a microprocessor-based terminal)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Memory<\/strong>: Screen memory (video RAM) sufficient for 80&#215;24 character display; no general-purpose RAM or ROM as in microprocessor-based systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Storage<\/strong>: N\/A<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ports<\/strong>: Serial EIA RS232C interface, supporting data rates from 110 up to 19,200 baud<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Display<\/strong>: 12-inch anti-glare CRT, 80 characters x 24 lines, normal or reverse video, character highlighting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-operating-system-programming-languages\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Operating System &amp; Programming Languages \n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-operating-system-programming-languages\">\n            \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>None (Video Display Terminal)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-notables\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Notables\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-notables\">\n            \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Volker-Craig VC404 was one of the earliest affordable video display terminals, designed and manufactured in Canada by University of Waterloo graduates, and helped make interactive computing accessible to students and institutions worldwide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its keyboard featured Datanetics key switches, the same type used in early Apple II computers, which is a rare and notable hardware detail.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Volker-Craig exported the VC404 globally, and its success contributed to Waterloo\u2019s reputation as a Canadian tech hub and the emergence of the &#8220;Canada\u2019s Technology Triangle&#8221;.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The VC404 had no microprocessor, using discrete logic instead, which was typical for terminals of its era but soon became obsolete as microprocessor-based models emerged.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The company later became part of NABU Manufacturing in Ottawa, connecting the VC404\u2019s legacy to the innovative NABU Network, an early precursor to online services in Canada.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The VC404 and its successors were sometimes nicknamed &#8220;The Chat&#8221; (for the VC4404 model), and were known for supporting multiple character sets and CRT colors to appeal to international markets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Volker-Craig terminals were widely used in universities and exported to over 25 countries, making them a significant Canadian export in the early computer era<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/dl>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Donated By<\/strong>: Dr. Arlen Michaels<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Carleton University<\/strong>: Used to connect to Carleton&#8217;s CP6 mainframe<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Canadian<\/strong>: The Volker-Craig VC404 was designed and manufactured in Canada by University of Waterloo graduates. The company later became part of NABU Manufacturing in Ottawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/canada.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"160\" height=\"160\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/canada-160x160.jpg\" alt=\"canada logo\" class=\"wp-image-20437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/canada-160x160.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/canada-240x240.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/canada-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/canada-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/canada-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/canada.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 160px) 100vw, 160px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"160\" height=\"142\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-160x142.png\" alt=\"Carleton U Logo\" class=\"wp-image-20435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-160x142.png 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-240x213.png 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-768x682.png 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-400x355.png 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-1536x1363.png 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-2048x1818.png 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-360x320.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 160px) 100vw, 160px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\">Vintage Computing Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Volker Craig VC404 The Volker Craig VC404 was a Canadian-made video display terminal introduced in 1978, notable for its affordable design, 12-inch anti-glare screen displaying 24 lines of 80 characters, and robust RS232C serial connectivity, making it accessible to students and institutions at a time when video terminals were prohibitively expensive. Its claim to fame [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":19704,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[134,90,123],"class_list":["post-19714","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","cu_page_type-video-display-terminal","cu_page_type-vintage-computing","cu_page_type-vintage-inventory"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19714"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25165,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19714\/revisions\/25165"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=19714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}