Re: [Air-l] PCs were invented in 1968
At 01:26 PM 9/11/2004, you wrote:
Yup, that's what a student in my first class (Tech & Society) told me. I forget if it was by John, Paul, Ringo or George.
The comment made me realize that I should include in the syllabus a potted article on the history of computing, from Einiac to Pentiums and wireless.
Picking up a parallel thread to exploring computer history - I have been incensed, if I might put it in those terms, at the lack of interest in most communications research programs on the general topic of communications history. Indeed, the lack of understanding on these issues by my students is so profound that I find it almost impossible, or at least improbable to move forward on others issues. I would generalize that the understanding of history in general is becoming erratic, a factor that plays into various know-nothing political stances these days. For instructors like myself who have very little say in what courses are taught in the departments with which I am affiliated, this great lack of understanding on both the faculty as well as the students I think presents a great theoretical hole in not only Internet Studies, but in communication research in general. (I am doing a little study on this right now, not that I know where such research might be welcome). I am teaching a course on 'computer mediated communication' right now, with over half the class consisting of graduate students in communication. Now I wanted to contextualize the development of the computer into the larger developments of comm history. Indeed, I like to think about the question as to whether the development of the Internet and CMC during the later 20th century was 'revolutionary' or 'evolutionary' or what. I want to make sure that we wouldn't be too quick to jump on techno-determinist or cultural-determinist ideological camps, and to see how the impact of new media can reflect, play into, and influence contemporary techno-communicational developments. Ok. Computers in 1968, Barry? I asked my students when Gutenberg developed his revolutionary iteration of the printing press - and not only could not a single student tell me within a 100 years, but the answers were simply astonishing (1700!). Dates of the larger developments in comm history, even from a Euro-centric perspective were not forthcoming. What little comm history they did know was related to mass media (there were some grunts of acknowledgement when I asked about the penny press, but not much understanding when I mentioned the telegraph as the beginning of the global, electronic, network society). The same was true as I talked about the history of the discipline itself: Paul Lazersfeld, who's he? Indeed, not one of my students had heard of Marshall McLuhan (and how could they in a traditional media course?). My course on CMC, which I had planned as only exploring the state of the field since 9/11 and the dot.com bust is now spending a lot more time setting up an understanding of the media world even before Turing, von Neuman, etc. Indeed more contemporary historical awareness - for example, the complete lack of awareness bout the existence or promise of the Whole Earth Catalog - can be so lacking that a question about the inter-relation of the WECatalog, the California Ideology, the Sharing economies, and the rise of the WEB invite confusion. However, I don't see resources out there to address this problem. Sigh. Willard Willard Uncapher, Ph.D. / Network Emergence / 8706 Kendall Court, Arvada, CO 80003 mailto:nwu1@columbia.edu / http://www.well.com/user/willard
Actually, I made my first "personal computer" in 1967. It consisted of lights on a pegboard. You dialed a wheel to add or subtract, and the lights would turn on in the tens, hundreds, and thousands column. I doubt that was the computer the students had in mind, though. Dr. Roger W. Clark -----Original Message----- From: air-l-aoir.org-bounces@listserv.aoir.org [mailto:air-l-aoir.org-bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Willard Uncapher Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 4:29 PM To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Subject: Re: [Air-l] PCs were invented in 1968 At 01:26 PM 9/11/2004, you wrote:
Yup, that's what a student in my first class (Tech & Society) told me. I forget if it was by John, Paul, Ringo or George.
The comment made me realize that I should include in the syllabus a potted article on the history of computing, from Einiac to Pentiums and wireless.
Picking up a parallel thread to exploring computer history - I have been incensed, if I might put it in those terms, at the lack of interest in most communications research programs on the general topic of communications history. Indeed, the lack of understanding on these issues by my students is so profound that I find it almost impossible, or at least improbable to move forward on others issues. I would generalize that the understanding of history in general is becoming erratic, a factor that plays into various know-nothing political stances these days. For instructors like myself who have very little say in what courses are taught in the departments with which I am affiliated, this great lack of understanding on both the faculty as well as the students I think presents a great theoretical hole in not only Internet Studies, but in communication research in general. (I am doing a little study on this right now, not that I know where such research might be welcome). I am teaching a course on 'computer mediated communication' right now, with over half the class consisting of graduate students in communication. Now I wanted to contextualize the development of the computer into the larger developments of comm history. Indeed, I like to think about the question as to whether the development of the Internet and CMC during the later 20th century was 'revolutionary' or 'evolutionary' or what. I want to make sure that we wouldn't be too quick to jump on techno-determinist or cultural-determinist ideological camps, and to see how the impact of new media can reflect, play into, and influence contemporary techno-communicational developments. Ok. Computers in 1968, Barry? I asked my students when Gutenberg developed his revolutionary iteration of the printing press - and not only could not a single student tell me within a 100 years, but the answers were simply astonishing (1700!). Dates of the larger developments in comm history, even from a Euro-centric perspective were not forthcoming. What little comm history they did know was related to mass media (there were some grunts of acknowledgement when I asked about the penny press, but not much understanding when I mentioned the telegraph as the beginning of the global, electronic, network society). The same was true as I talked about the history of the discipline itself: Paul Lazersfeld, who's he? Indeed, not one of my students had heard of Marshall McLuhan (and how could they in a traditional media course?). My course on CMC, which I had planned as only exploring the state of the field since 9/11 and the dot.com bust is now spending a lot more time setting up an understanding of the media world even before Turing, von Neuman, etc. Indeed more contemporary historical awareness - for example, the complete lack of awareness bout the existence or promise of the Whole Earth Catalog - can be so lacking that a question about the inter-relation of the WECatalog, the California Ideology, the Sharing economies, and the rise of the WEB invite confusion. However, I don't see resources out there to address this problem. Sigh. Willard Willard Uncapher, Ph.D. / Network Emergence / 8706 Kendall Court, Arvada, CO 80003 mailto:nwu1@columbia.edu / http://www.well.com/user/willard _______________________________________________ Air-l-aoir.org mailing list Air-l-aoir.org@listserv.aoir.org http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org
I'd like to briefly build on the discussion with a mention of Old-Computers http://www.old-computers.com/ This hobby site is both interesting and comprehensive, both for personal computers and gaming consoles. The computer "history" section only has 3 years in it (77-79), but the "museum" has computers dating back to 1960. I would highly recommend the pictures section (the "Fun" menu). They include a number of old advertisements and make a number of astute comments, particularly regarding the placement of girls in the ads (often looking frustrated). By the way - if you browse the museum you'll note they have a listing by year and as it turns out: "In 1960, Heath Company launched the Heathkit EC-1, the first analogue computer (almost) anyone could afford." http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=787 And it notes the PDP-8 was released in 1965. Take Care, BERNiE You'll note that Roger Clark wrote the message below on 9/12/04 8:44 PM.
Actually, I made my first "personal computer" in 1967. It consisted of lights on a pegboard. You dialed a wheel to add or subtract, and the lights would turn on in the tens, hundreds, and thousands column. I doubt that was the computer the students had in mind, though.
Dr. Roger W. Clark
The definitive book reference (hope someone else didn't put this in already): Frieberger, P. and M. Swaine 1999/1984. Fire in the valley: The making of the personal computer. (Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGraw-Hill). Reprinted after 15 years so it's a classic. Worthwhile discussions of the political/industrial/military and corporate issues and a good rendition of all the old myths, including the IBM overture to both Gary Kildal (sp) and Bill Gates to write DOS for them. Also they reprint the transcript of the infamous board meeting (DEC? or IBM?) where the CEO announces there will be no demand for personal computers in the United States, and that there would be a demand for "four or five machines" for scientific use . . . Cheers, Denise ===== Denise N. Rall, PhD candidate, School of Environ. Science, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480 - Mobile 0438 233 344 Sustainable Forestry Mentoring Coordinator & Casual academic Coastal Resource Management - Ph-Off (02)6620 3789 Hours: M 1-4:30 Presenting! Assoc. of Internet Researchers 5.0, Sussex University http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/rsm/staff/pages/drall/index.html
participants (4)
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Bernie Hogan -
Denise N. Rall -
Roger Clark -
Willard Uncapher