About the Author
John Costello
The author has dedicated his entire professional career to the computer industry. His journey began at the age of 18 when he secured a position with IBM in Seattle. He later contributed to the major IRS data processing facility in Ogden, Utah, where he was responsible for maintaining machines that processed IBM punch cards. Subsequently, John shifted his focus to digital hardware design at Control Data Corporation (CDC), a prominent computer manufacturer in the 1960s.
In the late 1960s, he designed a minicomputer for a small company in San Diego, Digital Scientific Corporation. His career progressed to overseeing the design of the National Semiconductor 370 mainframe computer, marking the latter years of the mainframe era. Following National's acquisition by Hitachi for approximately $400 million, John ventured into entrepreneurship. In 1976, he founded his own business, developing products related to minicomputers and the emerging microcomputers, including the first Apple Computers.
John later pivoted his business towards the manufacturing and sales of local area network (LAN) hardware, primarily for IBM PCs and their clones. He is the holder of multiple patents in the field of local area networking.
John delved into the history of computers with the tenacity of a detective, uncovering fascinating facts about their development. Did you know that the Meta 4 computer he worked on was featured in the detective thriller 'Death Wish', just as his Ferrari model was showcased in 'Magnum P.I.'?
Concerning Robert Fulton
The F in “JFC” stands for Fulton – John’s middle name. John’s father claimed the family has a connection to Robert Fulton, the inventor of the Steamboat. It turns out Martin Costello was married to Anne Jane Fulton, Robert Fulton's granddaughter. Annie was a hotel owner in Ontario Canada.
Steamboat
Robert Fulton was one of the unique and peculiar individuals of the early Industrial Revolution. An inventor and ad-hoc engineer, he is perhaps most famous for bringing commercially practical steamboats to life. However, it was his quest to develop and sell a submarine, years before they entered common use, that is most fascinating.
He wanted to make steamships in United States, but had trouble getting steam engines from England. England wanted to keep steam engines to themselves and would not sell them outside of England. When he finally got a steam engine, his first steamboat sank. He didn’t give up, and was eventually successful running steamboat lines.
The creation of the steamboat is considered a major event in the start of the industrial revolution. Steamboats arrived just before train steam engines and before the railroads.
For Car Enthusiasts...
The author's first car was a 1940 red Ford that had with a flame job: a street rod!
The author's car was similar to this
Right after leaving the Navy, the author bought a new Austin-Healey “Bugeye” Sprite.
In the late 50’s, the British Motor Corporation thought some sports cars were a little too big, so they started working on the Austin-Healey Sprite. It was a very minimal car – no-frills at all – and really simple. The Sprite set the standard for small, minimalist, affordable sports cars. As simple as they come, the Bugeye is not weighed down by exterior door handles. The base price was just $1795.
The “Bugeye” Sprite
Indeed, the author is a car enthusiast, or 'car guy'. He has owned numerous sports cars; his first one was a Bugeye Sprite, then he graduated to an exotic Fiat Abarth Record Monza. This car is based on the Italian Fiat 600, but the Abarth features an aluminum body, making it very lightweight, and is powered by a small 750 cc four-cylinder engine. Costello entered a few amateur road races with this vehicle.
Fiat Abarth Record Monza
Costello also owned a very exotic sports car, a Lotus 7, which was right-hand drive and made in England. The Lotus 7 became well-known as part of the TV show 'The Prisoner'.
Lotus 7
It represents a shift towards lightweight and very fast sports cars. Produced by Lotus Cars in England between 1957 and 1972, these vehicles were known for their minimal weight and simplicity. The original models were highly successful, with more than 2,500 cars sold. Essentially, the Lotus 7 was a street-legal race car, popular in club racing.
Lotus 7
In the sports car world, few vehicles can match the cornering speed of the Lotus 7.
Lotus 7 Weber Carbs
This model featured a 1500 cc four-cylinder engine, equipped with a pair of side-draft Weber carburetors.
Ferarri 308 GTS
Later, the author traded his Lotus 7 for a Ferrari 308 GTS. This car was not intended for racing but was rather purchased primarily as a "chick magnet". The Ferrari 308 GTS gained popularity after being featured in the TV show 'Magnum P.I.'
Honda Modded for Racing by John Costello
Even later, the author built a race car for autocross racing. This was based on an early, very lightweight model of Honda sedan that was modified with the addition of a Honda CRX engine imported from Japan.
Honda CRX Motor imported from Japan