TI Explorer Dead
TI Explorer
KindMachine
Introduced1985
Discontinued1990
StatusDead
ManufacturerTexas Instruments
ClassWorkstation
PlatformLisp machine
Sourcebitsavers.org ↗
The third Lisp machine — TI's NuBus-based Explorer, cheaper than Symbolics and built on LMI-derived MIT software. Lisp machines' last stand.
1960198020002020
Created by Texas Instruments
TI licensed LMI's Lambda design for the Explorer (1985) — a NuBus-board Lisp machine at workstation price, using the MIT-licensed ZetaLisp software. Explorer II (1987) shrank it to a NuBus board for a TI-built 68020 box.
The Explorer was the cheapest entry to Lisp machines and the last — TI exited the business as the market collapsed in 1990. The microExplorer Mac-board variant survives in collectors' hands.