The CDC 160 influenced DEC PDP-5 (1963), and PDP-8 (1965) 12-bit word minis
Notes:
The 160 influenced the design of the first minicomputers. Like the 160, Digital’s PDP-5 (c1963) was designed for IO. The PDP-8 shown here was introduced in 1965 to be used as with other equipment as a controller or data collection device for real time.
This started the minicomputer industry and making the smallest machine you can to be integrated in other devices for instrumentation and for control. The modules were compatible in size with the IBM SMS modules that were made for high volume production and back panels could be wired by machine. We could manufacture these computers at comparatively low costs. The 160 was priced about $100,000 in 1962, the PDP8 cost $18,000 in 1965. Even the PDP-5 that preceded the 8 cost only $27,000.