Modern Marvels: Computers
Modern Marvels: Computers is an episode of the show
from the History Channel.
I purchased a copy on DVD from DVD
Planet for the small sum of $15. (Usually this DVD sells for
about $10-15 more than that.)
Unidentified Items
The episode has quite a bit of good footage in it, but these images
in particular interest me. First, let's take the unidentified
items:
| I know the model of this CDC mainframe! |
Here is a Control Data Corporation (CDC) mainframe of unknown
model, showing CPU cabinets in foreground and tape drives in the background.
The model is believed to be prior to a CDC 6600 or CDC 7000. It is
believed likely to have consisted of all-transistor logic and core
memory in the CPU cabinets.
|
| I know this simulator! |
Here are some shots from a NASA simulator used for lunar landing
training.

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| I know this terminal! |
Here is a closeup of what appears to be the keyboard on a
mainframe console system. The keyboard is rather interesting and
looks quite "clunky".
|
| I know this terminal! |
Here is a closeup of the keyboard of a second terminal. Note the
colored keys on the right hand side above the area now commonly used
for a numeric keypad block.
|
Identified Items
Xerox Alto The Alto is fairly well known and was
discussed specifically in the episode.
 |
Uniscope Terminal Here is a screen shot of an
early terminal from Sperry/Univac, the Uniscope. (More
information)
Hewlett-Packard 2621 Terminal Factory This
looks like a manufacturing or servicing facility for terminals in
the 262x
product line. These terminals are easy to recognize by
their "E.T. head" shape to the terminal body. On the shelving
in the background you can recognize a terminal from the 264x
product line by the shape of the case and the wide
CRTs. A third type of terminal on the bottom left of the
first photo can also be seen and is believed to be an 2382A.
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