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Illiac IV

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September 7, 1981: DOD’s Illiac IV Retired

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Illiac IV
Illiac IV

1981 – It was called the Illiac IVILLIAC IV and was the first large parallel processing computer. The computer was first planned by the Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency who contracted the University of Illinois to build it. It was up and running until 81, when the Illiac IV was shut down.

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Topsy

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January 4, 1904: Thomas Edison Electrocutes an Elephant

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1904– To show the effects of how dangerous Nikolai Tesla’s Alternating current was, Thomas Alva Edison filmed the electrocution of the elephant, Topsy. This was falsely advertised as the first Elephant to be born in America by the Forepaugh Circus. Topsy was named after a slave girl in the book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.

Topsy was sold to Cony Island’s Sea Lion park. Her handler, William Whitey Alt, used Topsy to try and go after police. He also was involved in an incident where he used the elephant as an intimidation factor to the local police. Alt was fired and the owners of Luna Park were ready to get rid of her but no one wanted Topsy.

The owners planned to euthanize her by hanging, but the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stepped in and said hanging was a needlessly cruel means to killing. After debate, it was finally arranged that the Edison Electric Illuminating company of Brooklyn would perform the electrocution.

The electrocution was witnessed by 1,500 who payed for their seats at Coney Island, along with 100 media personnel.

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Topsy the Elephant on Forepaugh & Sells Brothers Circus

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January 4, 1904: Edison Electrocutes an Elephant

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Play

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Topsy the Elephant on Forepaugh & Sells Brothers Circus
Topsy the Elephant on Forepaugh & Sells Brothers Circus

1904– To show the effects of how dangerous Nikolai Tesla’s Alternating current was, Thomas Alva Edison filmed the electrocution of the elephant, Topsy. This was falsely advertised as the first Elephant to be born in America by the Forepaugh Circus. Topsy was named after a slave girl in the book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.

Topsy was sold to Cony Island’s Sea Lion park. Her handler, William Whitey Alt, used Topsy to try and go after police. He also was involved in an incident where he used the elephant as an intimidation factor to the local police. Alt was fired and the owners of Luna Park were ready to get rid of her but no one wanted Topsy.

The owners planned to euthanize her by hanging, but the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stepped in and said hanging was a needlessly cruel means to killing. After debate, it was finally arranged that the Edison Electric Illuminating company of Brooklyn would perform the electrocution.

The electrocution was witnessed by 1,500 who payed for their seats at Coney Island, along with 100 media personnel.

Wikazine – Full show notes for January 4

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Illiac IV

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September 7, 1981: DOD’s Illiac IV Retired

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comments

Play

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Illiac IV
Illiac IV

1981 – It was called the Illiac IVILLIAC IV and was the first large parallel processing computer. The computer was first planned by the Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency who contracted the University of Illinois to build it. It was up and running until 81, when the Illiac IV was shut down.

This Day in Tech History podcast show notes for September 7

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HP-35 Scientific Calculator

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January 4, 1972: HP-35 Scientific Calculator

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HP-35 Scientific Calculator
HP-35 Scientific Calculator

1972 – HP introduces the HP-35 – which was the first handheld scientific calculator. It was named after the fact it had 35 buttons. The unit weighed 9 oz and cost $395. However, this would ultimately be dubbed “The slide-rule killer”

Wikazine – Full show notes for January 4

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HP Computer Letter

HP to Stanford: We Don’t Have Personal Knowledge of Computers

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This letter showed up in my mailbox. It’s a letter to Dr.Fred E. Terman – Office of the Provost of Stanford University. It’s from William (Bill) R. Hewlett of Hewlett Packard Company. The document – dated June 13th, 1956 – stated the following:

Dear Fred:

I have no personal knowledge of computers nor does anyone in our organization have any appreciable knowledge

Sorry we can’t help you out in this regard

 

Sincerely yours,

William R. Hewlett

When did HP Get into Computers?

The reality was, HP didn’t get into computers until 1966. At that time, the HP 2116A ushered in a new era for HP – ten years after this letter was written.

In fact, at this time in 1956, HP put out their first oscilloscope. This was one year before HP went public.

Terman, who was a US Army Signal Corps’ advisory board member, was asked by the Army to acquire a computer for research purpose. Being a friend of Bill Hewlett, he inquired with the company.

Unfortunately, he was ten years too early.

The following is a copy of the letter to Stanford

HP Computer Letter
A Letter from Bill Hewlett to Dr. F.E. Terman of Stanford Stating HP has no Knowledge of Computers

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