Seminar / Webinar

World Computer Day

event flyer

Each year World Computer Day explores a new theme.

The theme this year is:

THE BIG THREE (3) EARLY COMPUTING INNOVATIONS

  • Looking Beyond the Famous Computer Successes
  • Historical Significance of an Apparently Failed Project
  • Were They Ahead of their Time?
  • Rethinking Failure in Computer Heritage

1) RCA Selectron of Lancaster PA
The Selectron was an early form of digital computer memory - 1943; The first step in "storage" 1943-49
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selectron_tube
https://www.rcaselectron.com/sysafcrc.html

Speakers-

  • Bob Roswell, CEO of System Source Computer Museum
  • Charles Osborn of https://RCAselectron.com/
  • Robert Gillespie consummate Tube Collector

2) Philco Transac - Philco of Philadelphia
Philco produced the world's fastest all-transistor computer the Transac S-2000, in 1958.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philco_computers
https://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_hersteller_detail.cfm?Company_Id=741
http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/philco/2000/

3) ORDVAC to ILLIAC - For Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland
The University of Illinois Tie with Aberdeen. Ordvac to Illiac Series
For the University of Illinois. All 4 are "one off" machines.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILLIAC
Discussion of Illiac Suite for String Quartet- First score composed by a computer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illiac_Suite
Built in Paoli, PA

Speakers-

  • Daniel Atkins III, University of Michigan, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Illiac I, II and III
  • John Day, Professor at Boston University, developer of early operating systems, experienced in Illiac IV, Arpanet and Internet
  • Gary Feierbach (Illiac IV - 1964) https://www.linkedin.com/in/feierbach/
Topic
Science and Technology