It is well-known in the retro-computer community that the NABU Network got started in Ottawa, Canada. However not many know that the NABU Network was available in the Washington DC area for a short time between 1983 and 1984.

The NABU Network first came to DC in early 1983. It was the idea of Tribune cable wanted to try something different. Yes, the same Tribune company that owns Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Cubs. Well, that same company also had a cable company in Alexandria, Virginia.

The NABU Network building was located what is now called the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria. It was set up Arthur Esch, and ran by Tom Wheeler. Yes, the same Tom Wheeler who was the FCC Chairman during the Obama Administration.

During the two years it existed in Alexandria, only 850 subscribers out of the 5,000 in Tribune cable even joined. It may have to do with the cost, or it may have to do with the fact that the technology was so new, no one really understood it. It’s not like today, where technology is everywhere. Back then, there was instruction manual on how to use a mouse!

Near the end of 1984, NABU Network in Ottawa was struggling, so the NABU Network in Alexandria wanted to separate and form its own company. Their plan was to open up the Network to other computers, in particular, the Commodore 64.

This is a brief overview. If you want to know more about NABU’s time in DC, visit the NABU in DC website.