4100 / 4200 Series Graphic Terminals (aka Unicorn)

As the 401X and 411X family of DVST graphic terminals was winding down, and color displays and dynamic RAM prices were dropping, Tektronix chose to enter the low cost color terminal market with raster scan terminal terminals.  The only previous color terminals were the 4027 and 4113 which were earlier and more expensive.  The sweet spot for a color graphics terminal was $5,000 and the target for the project.  Through some reorganizations the Unicorn project was launched and team formed.

Members of the team were hand picked for the project and as the group grew it became a stand alone division managed by Jerry Ramey.  Dave Squire was the engineering manager and 4105 project manager.  Dave Brown was the hardware project manager, Bob Leith was the mechanical project manager, and Ramune Arlauskas was the firmware project manager.

The 4105 was a 480x360 resolution 13" color graphics terminal with an aggressive goal of an 18 month development.  Part way through the development a 640x480 13" 4107 product was added along with a 640x480 19" 4109 product.  All three were introduced on schedule at the Hannover Faire in April 1983 with staggered deliveries for the 4107 and 4109.  A companion 4170 Local Graphics Processor, a multi-user CP/M computer, was also introduced at the same time.

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