Few people have heard of it, yet many consider John Blankenbaker's KENBAK-1 to be the first commercial personal computer.
A modern descendent of classic 150-in-1 electronic kits
By James Grahame
One the toys that made the biggest impact during the final days of my childhood was a Radio Shack 150-in-1 electronics kit. Above all, it taught me that electronic components are harder to destroy than many people think. It's still possible to get your hands on fantastic "N-in-1" kits such as the $69.95 Elenco 300-in-1 Electronics Project Lab.
Of course, modern kids might not be tempted by the chance to build "old fashioned" transistor radios and voltage controlled amplifiers. Have no fear! Thames & Kosmos - makers of a fantastic range of 'classic' chemistry sets - offer a $149.95 Microcontroller Computer Systems Engineering Kit - sounds like a perfect way to convince MI-6 that you should be hired as the new 'Q' to create gadgets for good old 007. Just don't expect to construct your own functional defibrillator or Bond girl with one of these puppies.
Thames & Kosmos Microcontroller Computer Systems Engineering Kit
