Previously, Woz indicated in an email to me, that a contract manufacturer flow soldered and stuffed the Apple 1. I reported this earlier, in this blog. First of all, there is and can be no confusion about the fact that the boards were flow soldered at a contract manufacturer. The characteristics of the solder work on the existing boards, proves this. Now onto the new information.

Dan Kottke at VCF east revealed some information that partly clarifies the confusion between published accounts, Woz’s email and physical evidence.

Dan indicated that, at one point, he entered the house after coming back from the east and Patty was busy stuffing boards. Dan also indicated that WOZ visited the house only once every two weeks or so. Given the information that Dan was at the house testing boards many days, for 2 hour stretches, and WOZ was there infrequently, I accept Dan’s report of Patty stuffing at least some boards.

So what we know is that the boards were flow soldered by contract manufacturer, and at least some were stuffed by Patty. Dan did the testing and any repairs. The question remains, is if all the batches were stuffed by Patty or if some were stuffed by the contract manufacturer. Dan K. may have the answer for that and I plan on contacting him about it.