{"id":23615,"date":"2026-02-19T09:36:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=23615"},"modified":"2026-06-22T13:49:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T17:49:28","slug":"vin197","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin197\/","title":{"rendered":"Nabu 1100"},"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                        Nabu 1100\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=\"nabu-1100\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nabu 1100<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>[Vin197]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft\"><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<p>The NABU 1100 was a rare support system built to work with the NABU Personal Computer, a Canadian network-centric home computer. It was also used as a development and distribution server used to create, test, and deliver software over the NABU cable network..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong>: NABU Manufacturing Corp., based in Ottawa, Canada<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: Development computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Release Date<\/strong>: 1981<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost at release<\/strong>: ~$18,000 estimate (adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: 0.58 (580 KIPS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20260220_162845518-400x533.jpg\" alt=\"Nabu 1100\" class=\"wp-image-23754\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20260220_162845518-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20260220_162845518-160x213.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20260220_162845518-240x320.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20260220_162845518-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20260220_162845518-1153x1536.jpg 1153w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20260220_162845518-1538x2048.jpg 1538w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20260220_162845518-360x479.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"hardware-specifications\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hardware Specifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>CPU<\/strong>: Zilog Z80A (~3.58 MHz &#8211; 8-bit)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Memory<\/strong>: typically 64 KB expandable (\u2248128 KB or more)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modular multi-card backplane (CPU, memory, I\/O, storage controllers)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ROM<\/strong>: Boot\/monitor firmware<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Primary storage<\/strong>: Dual 5.25-inch floppy disk drives (typical configuration)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Optional storage<\/strong>: Hard disk subsystem (site-dependent)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>I\/O interfaces<\/strong>: RS-232 serial (multi-terminal), parallel I\/O via expansion cards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Network interface<\/strong>: NABU cable headend connectivity for software distribution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Video<\/strong>: Terminal-based (no onboard graphics hardware)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cabinet construction<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wood\/laminate cabinet resembling a kitchen base unit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hinged lift-top for service access<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bottom drawer for media, manuals, or accessories<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Internal metal chassis and card cage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weight<\/strong>: 32\u201350 kg (70\u2013110lbs)<\/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-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><strong>Operating System<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NABU Network Operating Environment, Proprietary broadcast control &amp; content delivery software, managed the continuous \u201cdata carousel\u201d transmission to subscribers handled scheduling, packetization, and channel injection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development &amp; content preparation systems often used CP\/M on Z80-based development machines used to author, compile, and manage software before broadcast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Low-level firmware: ROM-based control and diagnostics, Hardware control for RF modulation and network timing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Supported Languages<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>BASIC &#8211; Primary language for educational and consumer software<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Z80 assembly language &#8211; Used for high-performance applications and system-level code<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C (CP\/M development environments) &#8211; Used for tools and utilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pascal (less common) &#8211; Used in educational software development<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/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>NABU = \u201cNatural Access to Bi-directional Utilities\u201d and named after the ancient Babylonian god of writing, wisdom, and understanding\u200b<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Developed by NABU Manufacturing Corporation in Ottawa, part of Canada\u2019s early push into networked computing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helped power a system where software was delivered from a central server rather than stored locally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supported the NABU cable network, enabling centralized software distribution decades before broadband internet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Worked alongside the NABU Personal Computer to deliver interactive content to homes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Positioned between consumer micros and business multi-user systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Could support multiple terminals from a single machine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Used to create, test, and distribute applications over cable infrastructure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fit within the dominant business microcomputer software environment of the early 1980&#8217;s.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Programs transmitted over cable TV networks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enabled two-way interaction via cable long before dial-up internet was common.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Represents one of the earliest mass-networked computing ecosystems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Demonstrates that online services were envisioned before the internet era.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highlights Canada\u2019s role in early online consumer technology.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serves as a bridge between time-sharing systems and modern cloud services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Considered a missing link in the evolution from centralized computing to the internet age.<\/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-donated-by\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Donated By\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-donated-by\">\n            \n\n<p><strong>Grant Bechthold Sr.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy dad was a rocket scientist with NRC. When they shut it down in the late 60\u2019s they stood up a micro computer group at NRC. He was very active in the hobbyist Ottawa computer group. Our basement was full of computers and electronics.\u201d &#8211; Grant Bechthold Jr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Grant Bechthold Sr. was an Engineering graduate from Carleton University.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/dl>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>City of Ottawa<\/strong>: NABU Manufacturing Corp., based in Ottawa, Canada<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Canadian<\/strong>: NABU Manufacturing Corp.<\/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 size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"213\" height=\"105\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/City-of-Ottawa-logo.png\" alt=\"City of Ottawa\" class=\"wp-image-23620\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/City-of-Ottawa-logo.png 213w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/City-of-Ottawa-logo-160x79.png 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px\" \/><\/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\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"excerpt_part\">&#8230;es. Remains one of Canada&rsquo;s most ambitious and forward-looking computing projects. Donated By Grant Bechthold Sr. City of Ottawa: <strong>NABU<\/strong> Manufacturing Corp., based in Ottawa, Canada Canadian: <strong>NABU<\/strong> Manufacturing Corp&#8230;.<\/span><\/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":[135,123],"class_list":["post-23615","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","cu_page_type-business-industrial","cu_page_type-vintage-inventory"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23615","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=23615"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23615\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25079,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23615\/revisions\/25079"}],"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=23615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=23615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}