They used a 2 MHz 8080 to produce a software UART function, without a timer, without an interrupt, and on a system that required you use a front-panel to enter the code.

Having it able to transmit, receive and load stuff from the TTY was a REAL boon!

They did all this while sleeping 5 to a room in a cheap motel and living on pizza and Pepsi.

This proves it isn't rocket science, since none of them were rocket scientists, but they were smarter than the average bear.

RE