Novation CAT Modem
Year First Appeared
1979
Creator
Bayard F. Kessler, Arthur L. Serrano
The Novation CAT Modem is an external 300 bit/s Bell 103 acoustic‑coupler modem from the late 1970s, commonly used with early home computers such as the Apple II and often resold under various brand names.
Importance in Internet Culture
Acoustic‑coupler modems like the Novation CAT made home dial‑up practical before smartmodems, seeding hobbyist networking, timesharing access, and the early BBS scene, thereby normalizing personal telecomputing in the pre‑Internet era.
Interesting Fact
In April 1980 Novation advertised the CAT for only $189, while Apple’s 1978‑79 catalogs listed the same acoustic‑coupler as Modem IIA/IIB at $315‑$495 in 1978 and $199.95‑$390 in 1979, showing rapid price shifts in the early home‑modem market.