Rare Pastoriza Personal Analog Computer made in 1963 by Pastoriza Electronics, Inc., of Boston, Massachusetts. Housed in its original leather carrying case, 13" x 5.25" x 11.5", which is marked in gilt on the front, "Personal Analog Computer" and "Pastoriza Electronics, Inc., Boston 16 Mass.," the battery-powered computer consists of a Control Unit, nine configurable modular units, and eight connecting wires; the Control Unit, 5.25" x 2.5" x 7", features a meter and on/off, set, and hold switches; and the nine modular units, each measuring 4" x 1.75" x 2.75", consist of three "Add," three "Multiply (by C)," and three "Integrate" components with red, yellow, or green dials, the underside of each bearing labels numbered either "231," 238," "240," or "241." The underside of the Control Unit is numbered "241." The eight black connecting wires range in size from 5.5" to 25" in length. In fine, untested condition, with scattered wear and marks; the case interior and exterior show varying degrees of toning and soiling.
The Pastoriza Personal Analog computer was designed to be used by students at the Case Institute of Technology; the school later merged with Western Reserve University in 1967 to form Case Western Reserve University, which offered the first ABET-accredited program in computer engineering. It's believed that the computers were issued to 200 students in either late 1962 or early 1963 by the school for use in their linear systems course. The students were part of a study to compare students who used slide rules with those who had their own analog computer. The Pastoriza was designed by Dr. James Reswick, who was then Head of the Case Engineering Design Center, James Pastoriza (who manufactured them and for whom they were named), and George Philbrick, who was already well known as one of the founders of the analog computer systems.
