Page "Programmed Data Processor" Paragraph 8

Programmed Data Processor ( PDP ) was a series of minicomputers made and marketed by the Digital Equipment Corporation from 1957 to 1990.

The name ' PDP ' intentionally avoided the use of the term ' computer ' because, at the time of the first PDPs, computers had a reputation of being large, complicated, and expensive machines, and the venture capitalists behind Digital ( especially Georges Doriot ) would not support Digital's attempting to build a " computer "; the word " minicomputer " had not yet been coined.

So instead, Digital used their existing line of logic modules to build a Programmable Data Processor and aimed it at a market which could not afford the larger computers.