The Squeeze sent me something interesting in an email – links to these fab photos on this page of historic computer images. I don’t know anything about these photos as I haven’t taken the time to research, but I thought they’d appeal to the Sisters who dig the tappa-tappa keyboard action.
The bit of text that goes with that photo reads:
Two women wiring the right side of the ENIAC with a new program, in the “pre- von Neumann” days. “U.S. Army Photo” from the archives of the ARL Technical Library. Standing: Ester Gerston Crouching: Gloria Ruth Gorden
Here’s another neat photo:
That’s the one The Squeeze sent first, but I’m not sure I like it as much as the other – feels like these ladies are there just to look pretty… or are they? Judging by the dress, these look like ladies from the 40s or 50s. If we’d been talking mid WWII, then these ladies could have been actively involved in creating these first computer bits. Heck, I am just plain old guessing… I think I need more information. I think we need The Squeeze (who has a fetish for computer history) to tell us more.
…and its caption
“U.S. Army Photo”, number 163-12-62. Left: Patsy Simmers, holding ENIAC board Next: Mrs. Gail Taylor, holding EDVAC board Next: Mrs. Milly Beck, holding ORDVAC board Right: Mrs. Norma Stec, holding BRLESC-I board
But I suspect that Mz Tartan, who has just bought a house, would perhaps prefer these images.
U.S. Army Photo, courtesy of Michael John Muuss PDP-11/70, Vector General display of XM-1 tank Left: Michael John Muuss, operating Vector General Right: Earl Weaver, inspecting printout of XM-1 design
and
Photo of BRL’s Cray XMP48 courtesy of Michael John Muuss Right: Phil Dykstra
Yer well, there’s a weird room right in the middle of the house we don’t know what it’s for. Maybe I could fill it up with a vintage supercomputer.
You say that like it’s not a good thing – The Squeeze’s would light up with glee at the prospect of a supercomputer in his own house.
There used to be a computer museum at UQ, somewhere in one of the buildings in the great court (is that what it’s called? I forget) opposite the Forgan Smith building. It was fascinating.