Nowadays, you probably don't even give any thought about computers. They are an integral part of everyday life and even the least expensive new computer is more powerful than the best computers of just ten years ago. But what about the early days of computers? What were they like and how were they used? This DVD explores three films from the late 50's and early 60's, looking at the supercomputers of the era and how they were an integral part of our national defense and space program.
Nowadays, you probably don't even give any thought about computers. They are an integral part of everyday life and even the least expensive new computer is more powerful than the best computers of just ten years ago. But what about the early days of computers? What were they like and how were they used? This DVD explores three films from the late 50's and early 60's, looking at the supercomputers of the era and how they were an integral part of our national defense and space program.
Here are the contents of each of the films in the computer history film collection:
On Guard! The Story of SAGE (1956)
This film talks about SAGE, one of the earliest computers used for the defense of the United States during the Cold War. SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) was a heavily computerized early warning system designed to guard against enemy aircraft. was actively developed by IBM and fills a large room with its processors and associated equipment. By today's standards, it was extremely primitive - but it worked! And more importantly, the research that developed these early military computers led to the dawning of the modern computer age. Producer: IBM Corporation, Military Products Division |
The Information Machine (1958)
By the late 50s, the public was very curious about these new computers and what they were doing for us. This film was made to show the complete history of computation and computing from caveman times to the ultra modern state of the art machines used by the military and big businesses of the day. Production Company: Eames (Charles And Ray) |
Logic By Machine (1965)
This film is program one of The Computer And The Mind Of Man put on by National Educational Television. It explores the current state of computers, computer theory and application of the computer in modern live (circa 1965) that make them such a vital component of American Life. Audio/Visual: sound, color |
