Honeywell Kitchen Kitchen computer: a dream of housewives of the 70s, which was not needed

In our time of innovative technologies, it is difficult to surprise someone with a robot vacuum cleaner or even a "smart house". But in the 1970s, using a computer in the home seemed like science fiction. Honeywell International Inc has decided to make a technological breakthrough and give women a device that they could not even dream of. Unfortunately, the novelty, doomed to success according to marketers, became one of the few failures of the powerful concern.

The Honeywell International Inc concern is a multinational company known all over the world today. The list of products produced by it will take several volumes. The company, founded 112 years ago by American engineer Mark C. Honeywell, produces everything from nuts to aircraft and nuclear reactors.

One of the first products of an unknown private company was a device for heating water with a built-in thermostat, which entered the market in 1906 and was a huge success with ordinary Americans. Since then, the corporation, in its spare time from the production of combat missiles and turbines for hydroelectric power plants, periodically tries to make the common people happy with useful innovations at home.

In 1955, at the peak of its success, Honeywell broke into the world of computer technology, trying to oust the "blue giant" IBM. The demand for digital equipment at that time was, to put it mildly, somewhat limited, so the concern's marketers decided to expand their sales markets and create a new niche – computers for home use.

In 1969, a unique development was presented to the general public — the world's first kitchen computer, the Honeywell Kitchen Computer H316. The cost of the electronic device is amazing even today — it was offered to buy it for 10,600 full-fledged American dollars. We did not use the word "full-fledged" for nothing, since in terms of modern "bucks" the computer cost more than 70,000.

In general, it is difficult to imagine a lady at the kitchen stove who is able to give money equivalent to the cost of a VIP-class car for a household appliance, but Honeywell obviously thought otherwise. Therefore, the car, designed for housewives who already have everything, went on sale.

Considering the size of the computer at that time, the Honeywell Kitchen Computer H316 kitchen processor was a real crumb. Having the dimensions of a professional washing machine, the computer weighed only 45 kg. 

The technical characteristics of the device were also striking: a powerful 16-bit processor with a clock speed of 2.5 megahertz in tandem with 4 kilobytes of RAM, in the early 70s, were a real fantasy. The device consumed 475 watts of electricity and was considered very economical.

There was also the possibility of upgrading the computer — especially demanding users could increase its performance by installing 16 kilobytes of magnetic memory. However, for effective use, there was enough regular "hardware" – the machine operated with several culinary recipes and, as it was said in the manufacturer's advertising brochures, helped the hostess "to perform some household chores".

The computer had neither a monitor nor a keyboard for entering commands – the interface was a panel with buttons, by pressing combinations of which control was carried out. To master the handling of this technique, it was necessary to undergo special training, including several classes.

Unfortunately, the expectations that Americans who are greedy for new products will sweep away the Honeywell Kitchen Computer H316 computer from the shelves of branded stores have not been fulfilled. Moreover, none of the 20 cars produced has found its owner. Most likely, it was not even the cost of the computer, but its uselessness. Agree, a notebook with recipes for pizza and pancakes on the kitchen table is much more practical and takes up less space.

Despite the obvious failure of the new product, Honeywell was in no hurry to admit defeat and were right about something. The useless and expensive electronic machine attracted attention to the manufacturer all over the world, and the top managers of the concern did not regret the resources spent in vain on the development. Moreover, thanks to the Honeywell Kitchen Computer H316, the company will remain in history as the first manufacturer of digital household appliances.