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Hi there,
I am currently working a recreation of a famous 'computer', the TV Typewriter, which was made by Don Lancaster in 1973. Here's a photo of the prototype:
http://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/physical-object/don_lancaster/X689-86.1.lg.jpg
The unit appeared as a project in the Sep 1973 edition of Radio Electronics. There was a slightly different unit featured on the cover of the magazine (more refined, different keyboard). For a few bucks you could send away for plans to build your own, using either prepared boards (produced by Southwest Technical Products) or by making your own using artwork supplied in the construction booklet, like so:
http://www.swtpc.com/mholley/TV_Typewriter/TV_Typewriter_Reprint.htm
I have pretty much everything I need now to kick off the project, including 1973 vintage chips and the correct MDS keypunch keyboard, to match the prototype. Unfortunately the prototype was, as most are, a one-off, and did not use the boards that were ultimately manufactured or described in the plans. There are no pictures extant of the inside, although talking to Don it sounds like it was fairly close to the kit version in the end.
Anyway, at this stage my best hope for now would be to recreate the boards per the above plans. I'd prefer to do it with period-correct materials (or at least get a period correct look). I'd even like to use period-correct processes (foil tape? I'm not exactly sure how they did it in the old days). But I'm not necessarily opposed to going modern via the toner method.
I guess I am just hoping to get advice. For reference, here are some boards that sold on ebay recently:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291477123430
It's unknown if these were actual SWTPC manufactured boards or a hobbyist doing their own. It's been speculated by those more knowledgeable than I that it is probably the latter, since the copper traces on the one side weren't tinned, which was normal practice for a manufacturer. They did think that these possibly dated to the early 1970s though.
Anyway, any advice on how to proceed and achieve something visually that looks like these (and hopefully works, too!) would be greatly appreciated.
Brad