Skip to main content

Blog

February 24, 2014

A Billion Programmers

When I first wrote programs in 1953, there was no software and few programmers. I entered programs in the computer’s binary language (octal notation) directly into the machine’s registers.

January 22, 2014

Approved IEEE Milestone: Birth of the 1st PC Operating System (CP/M)

Introduction: Gary A. Kildall, PhD (1942 – 1994),  developed and then demonstrated the first working prototype of CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers) in Pacific Grove in 1974.

January 21, 2014

Why Care Who Invented the First Computer?

During January some of you might have noticed a running dialogue among historians and other interested parties about who invented the “first” computer. There was no agreement reached on the correct answer to that question.

January 10, 2014

Old Software and Games....They're Alive!

Ever get the urge to mess with Visicalc or WordStar again? Play the original Donkey Kong or Adventure on your computer?

December 25, 2013

Computer Pioneer Alan Turing Pardoned by UK for "crime" he didn't commit

The United Kingdom has finally pardoned Alan Turing for a gay sex conviction which tarnished the brilliant career of the code breaker credited with helping win the war against Nazi Germany and laying the foundation for the computer age.

December 15, 2013

Testimonials to Doug Englebart: Dec 9, 2013 @CHM

Computer visionary Doug Englebart was posthumously honored on December 9th at the Computer History Museum (CHM) in Mt View, CA.

December 9, 2013

Fire Damages Internet Archive Scanning Center

There was a fire at the Internet Archiv

December 6, 2013

History of IT at the History of Science Society 2013 Boston

The History of Science Society held its annual meeting two weeks ago (November 21st to November 24th) in Boston MA.

November 11, 2013

The Story of LEO

LEO, more formally known as Lyons Electronic Office, was the world's first business computer, having been developed by the British company J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. between 1947-1954. John Simmons was very much the genius behind this adventure into business process re-engineering.

November 9, 2013

Highlights of Intel's Justin Rattner at CHM: Oct 8, 2013

The event was in the form of an interview/conversation led by CHM CEO/moderator John Hollar.  Mr. Rattner spent a lot of time discussing his early life at Hollywood High School and how he got involved in electronics and as a EE student at Cornell University.

October 7, 2013

Honoring Computer Pioneer Tommy Flowers and Colossus

In November 1943, an electrical engineer working in the telecommunications department of Britain's General Post Office named Tommy Flowers d

October 5, 2013

Summary, photos & videos of Oct 1st IEEE Panel: Intel's Transition to Success!

This was a hugely succcessful panel session on Intel's transitions, twists and turns into the world's most successful semiconductor company of all time.  Many attendees complemented our 2 panelists and myself for a great learning experience and intellectuall