Computer History with Chris Garcia

This episode, we cover the period before World War II with an emphasis on Claude Shannon, George Stibbitz, Konrad Zuse, and Differential Analyzers. We also show how ideas spread, and what a new device means as far as influence.

Also, significant mentions of MIT.

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This episode looks at World War II, the computers needed to solve the problems war presents, and how it all helped lead us to the world of computers we know today!

Episode Notes

The computer in the US rode a wave out of World War II, and involved folks like Pres Eckert, John von Neumann, and John Mauchley, Harry Huskey, and many more. We talk about BINAC, Whirlwind, EDVAC, SEAC, SWAC, and more!

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Books:

• Dyson, George. Turing's Cathedral: The Origins of the Digital Universe. Pantheon Books, 2012.

• Macrae, Norman. John Von Neumann: The Scientific Genius Who Pioneered the Modern Computer, Game Theory, Nuclear Deterrence, and Much More. American Mathematical Society, 1999.

• Goldstine, Herman H. The Computer from Pascal to von Neumann. Princeton University Press, 1993.

Academic Papers and Reports:

• von Neumann, John. "First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC."
• Burks, Arthur W., Goldstine, Herman H., and von Neumann, John. "Preliminary Discussion of the Logical Design of an Electronic Computing Instrument."
• Ware, Willis H. "The History and Development of the Electronic Computer Project at the Institute for Advanced Study." RAND Corporation, 1953. ru.wikipedia.org

Web Resource:

• "The IAS Computer, 1952." National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. de.wikipedia.org+3ru.wikipedia.org+3en.wikipedia.org+3

Oral Histories and Interviews:

• "Oral history interview with Willis H. Ware." Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota.
• "Oral history interview with Arthur Burks." Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota.

Documentaries and Lectures:

• Dyson, George. "The Birth of the Computer." TED Talk, March 2003

Episode Notes

1961 BRL Report on Computing

Episode Notes

https://www.computerhistory.org/brochures/1960s/ - Computer History Museum on the 1960s https://www.ibm.com/history/stretch - IBM page on STRETCH

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https://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/real-time-computing/6/120 In Your Defense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06drBN8nlWg

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TX-0 (Transistorized Experimental Computer Zero):

• Wikipedia: TX-0 A comprehensive overview of the TX-0, highlighting its development, architecture, and significance in computing history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TX-0 Tom's Hardware+3gunkies.org+3Encyclopedia Britannica+3

• MIT's RLE Technical Report 627: TX-0 Computer History An in-depth historical account of the TX-0's design and construction at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory in 1956. https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/4132/RLE-TR-627-42827671.pdf TX-2 Project+16DSpace+16Encyclopedia Britannica+16

• Computer History Museum: MIT TX-0 Computer Details about the TX-0's role as a test bed for large-scale transistorized computing and its influence on subsequent computer designs. https://www.computerhistory.org/pdp-1/2e1b209cb40237b91228cdf26a60e3f8/ Wikipedia – Die freie Enzyklopädie+2CHM+2CHM+2

• The Computer Pioneers: The TX-0 An archival article discussing the TX-0's construction, operational history, and its significance in the evolution of computing. https://ethw.org/Archives:The_Computer_Pioneers:_The_TX-0

TX-2:

• Britannica: TX-2 An overview of the TX-2 computer, emphasizing its programmable capabilities and contributions to early computing developments. https://www.britannica.com/technology/TX-2 CHM+11Encyclopedia Britannica+11gunkies.org+11

• The Lincoln TX-2 Computer Development A detailed paper on the development of the TX-2 at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory, discussing its design and technological advancements. https://cs.furman.edu/~tallen/csc475/materials/clarkTX-2.pdf TX-2 Project+14Encyclopedia Britannica+14History of Information+14

• MIT Lincoln Laboratory: The TX-2 Computer and Sketchpad Explores the TX-2's role in the creation of Sketchpad, a pioneering computer-aided design program, and its impact on interactive computing. https://www.ll.mit.edu/media/6536 CHM

• TX-2 Project A resource dedicated to re-creating and documenting the TX-2 computer, including technical manuals and historical insights. https://tx-2.github.io/ TX-2 Project

LINC (Laboratory Instrument Computer):

• Office of NIH History: Laboratory Instrument Computer (LINC) A narrative on the development of the LINC, detailing its conception at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory and its influence on biomedical research computing. https://history.nih.gov/display/history/Laboratory+Instrument+Computer hnf.de+18The Henry Ford+18NIH History Office+18

• DigiBarn Computer Museum: LINC History, Restoration and 45 Year Retrospective An extensive retrospective on the LINC, covering its history, restoration efforts, and its place as a precursor to personal computing. https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/ digibarn.com

• Computer History Museum: LINC Computer Highlights the LINC's design tailored for scientific laboratories, featuring built-in analog-to-digital converters and an oscilloscope for data display. https://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/minicomputers/11/334/1920 ETHW+9CHM+9The Henry Ford+9

• National Museum of American History: Minicomputer, Classic LINC Computer (DEC) Provides insights into the LINC's introduction as a small computer with a 12-bit word length, intended for individual researchers. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_334861 gunkies.org+2